It is with great saddness that I pass on this message that I received from our dear Sister Eli's friend.
"My beloved friend and companion of 45 years died this afternoon at 4:15 PM. It went very quicly and I don't think she suffered too much. Unfortunately, at this time I can't say the same for me. You learned in a short time how unique and special she was. She was only 18 when I first knew her and even though she belonged to no religion as such I recognized her as a very special messenger and a deeply religious person and lover of God even though she refused to see him as belonging to any particular faith or people. She was truly a righteously living person and though I am older by five years she was my teacher in life.
She will live on in the memory of many people even though she never met them and lived most of her life as a recluse.
Thank you and all the members of IB for their prayes and good wishes. She did feel very grateful and was deeply moved by all the outpouring. She believed that the prayers helped. She got her wish "Dear God, let it be quick, let it be quick".
Thank you all again and may all humankind learn that love of each other is love of God and I pray that all people will live in respect and tolerance for each other.
She played your records more than Nusrat in the end and she often used "La Illha" etc. as a mantra when she was afraid."
Note this last sentence that I understood to say she believed in One God and did not associate partners with Him. Please, join me in making dua for the forgiveness of Eli's sins and that she be given an easy accounting before Allah on that Day.