AVILA, ELVA Age 61, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her beloved sons and family on Dec. 11, 2014, after a heroic battle against cancer. She is survived by her sons, Rudi Cruz and Adrian Cruz; her siblings, Maria Shelley (Dennis), Rudy Vasquez (Elbia), Martha Dovenbarger (Danny), Esther Byrne (Patrick) and Eustacio Vasquez; and her many nieces and nephews. Elva was a dedicated teacher, wonderful colleague and dear friend to many at St. Pius X High School, where she taught for many years. She was a 40-year veteran teacher and was named St. Pius' 2012 Teacher of the Year. Elva is preceded in death by her mother and father, Esther Avila and Guadalupe Vasquez. A Mass will be celebrated on her birthday, Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Holy Rosary Parish, 5415 Fortuna NW. The Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, her sons request that donations be made to the Norbertine Community, Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey, 6825 Coors Road SW, Albuquerque NM 87121.
|