Maria “Elvira” Angelina Mendez
With profound sadness, we share news of the loss of our beloved mother.
Maria “Elvira” Angelina Mendez passed away on July 21, 2021, at Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas Nevada, after a valiant battle with cancer. She was 82 years old.
It would be wrong to say that Elvira lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was always so full of determination. When anyone else would have broken, Elvira stayed positive and strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly is. There was no quitting in Elvira. Just because she is no longer here now, it doesn’t mean she lost her fight. She gave “battle” a whole new meaning.
Elvira is survived by her husband Rafael Mendez and her sons Patrick Sr. and Adam Baldonado. Cherished grandmother of Krystal, Bradley, and Aleah (Adam’s children). Loving grandmother to Angel, Manual, Chris, and Aiyanna (children of Patrick Sr).
Great grandmother of Maggie (Angel), Serenity, and Trinity (Patrick Jr). And remembered by her many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her mother Eutilia Viarreal, brother Bobby Viarreal, and grandson Patrick Baldonado Jr.
Elvira was born on January 6, 1939, in Alcalde New Mexico to her mother Eutilia, Siblings: Julia Martinez, Bobby Virreal, Teresa Vigil and Susie Rascon.
Elvira graduated from Espanola High School in 1958, accepted a position at TG&Y where she went on to become a Retail Trades Supervisor and eventually retired from TG&Y after more the 20 years. She then moved on to be closer to her grandchildren in Las Vegas Nevada, accepted a position at the Circus Circus Casino, where she ended up working for another 20 years until she again retired.
She was a very dedicated, hard-working, caring individual who took care of everyone else before herself. She was loved by many of her friends and coworkers alike. Most of all, she was deeply loved by all her family members. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
The family of Elvira invite you to join them for a Memorial Service and Visitation at La Paloma Funeral Home on Saturday, July 30 at 1pm. All are welcome to attend. The family extends their sincere gratitude for your presence and well wishes. Her ashes will be laid to rest at a future date next to her mother in Alcalde New Mexico as she requested.
Flowers or donations can be sent to La Paloma Funeral Home at 5450 Stephanie St., Las Vegas, NV 89122.
5 Comments. Leave new
Tio Rafael, Patrick, Adam and family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Tia Elvira was an amazing woman! She will be greatly missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time! May god bless you today and always!
We love you!
Michael, Shannon and Cruz Martinez
Nephew (Cordova, NM)
Auntie Bedia
May u rest in peace we will miss u dearly. I hope to see you one day. I can imagine how happy u are with ur mamasita grandma eutilia and uncle bobe.
With all our love always and for ever Daniella and the girls.
My mom Michelle also sends u all her love to heaven where we know ur dancing with all angels letting them know how much she loved u.
Adam and Patrick,
My deepest condolences during this time of sorrow. May God bless you and give you all comfort and strength during this time of sorrow. May Elvira’ s soul RIP in Heaven! She was a beautiful Tia and will be missed dearly 💔❤️
Adam and Patrick,
My deepest condolences during this time of sorrow. Tia Elvira was a beautiful woman and she will be missed dearly. May God comfort you both and give you strength during this time of sorrow. May her soul RIP in God’s heavenly kingdom.🕊️ 💔🕊️❤️
Elvira was such a beautiful, loving, kind hearted person. No one can ever replace that loving heart of hers! I am completely saddened to say goodbye. My heart is broken, for her, her sons, and for the rest of the family. I have been blessed beyond measure to have gotten to know Elvira, and to care for her. My heart melted the day she referred to me as her daughter in-law, and we since grew a forever bond. I admired her so, so, so much! She had such hope, courage, strength, and the will to fight and carry on! She battled on through radiation, chemotherapy and everything else that was thrown at her! All this at 82 years old!I can only think “WOW”! What AMAZING strength!!! I often heard her asking for God’s healing prayers, and I honesty believe he answered all her prayers…. giving her the strength to battle on, bypassing some very difficult times, until her last prayers were answered. She wanted nothing more then to see the faces of her sons in her final hours. God has truly blessed her in those last hours with both her sons at her side. She is no longer in discomfort and is now flying with our Angels!! We all need to give her the utmost honor & respect that she deserves. She was the “super-glue” amongst the entire family. She was completely all about family togetherness. Carry on her “legacy” as she would have wanted, carrying on loving family traditions “together”. I will dearly miss you mother. Rest now, beautifully in peace.