Larisa Manelis

Larisa (Efros) Manelis, 85, of Plano, Texas, passed away peacefully in the early morning on July 16, 2026. Larisa was born on August 12, 1940, in Odessa, Ukraine, to Manya and Jacob Efros. During World War II, while her father served in the military, her mother fled with Larisa to Kazakhstan in search of safety. Along the journey, Larisa, still a toddler, contracted typhus. Fearing the spread of illness, she and her mother were forced off the train and endured months of homelessness before they eventually recovered and reached safety. Despite the unimaginable hardships of her earliest years, Larisa’s resilience and strength would define the rest of her life. Larisa had a lifelong love of mathematics and science and earned a degree in chemistry. She began her career as a math teacher before becoming a chemist, where she put her analytical mind and curiosity to work. In 1990, Larisa immigrated to Houston, Texas, with her mother and sister to be closer to her family, including her daughter, Regina. Houston remained her home for more than three decades, where she built a life centered on family, friendship, and community. In 2023, she moved to Plano to be closer to her loved ones. Larisa embraced life fully. She cherished spending time with friends and family, traveling, attending concerts, and creating lasting memories with those she loved. She was a devoted grandmother who found immense joy in caring for and spending time with her grandchildren. After moving to Plano, one of her greatest joys was being close to her great-granddaughter, Hazel, who brought endless happiness to her life. Larisa is survived by her beloved daughter, Regina Lacoff, and son-in-law, Nathan Lacoff; her grandson, Jason Lacoff, and his wife, Carly (Bierman) Lacoff; her granddaughter, Jacqueline (Lacoff) Golan, and her husband, Benjamin Golan; her cherished great-granddaughter, Hazel Golan; her sister, Bella Mitsner; her nephew, Vladimir Mitsner, and his wife, Ely Mitsner; and their children, Elliot and Maya Mitsner. Larisa will be remembered for her remarkable resilience, intelligence, warmth, and unwavering love for her family. From surviving the hardships of war as a toddler to building a life filled with love, laughter, and treasured memories, she leaves behind a legacy of strength and perseverance that will continue to inspire all who knew and loved her. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Restland Cemetery (Mount Zion Section), 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Larisa’s memory to Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas.

Larisa Manelis

August 12, 1940 - July 16, 2026