March 21, 1929 – March 11, 2018
With a heavy heart, we are deeply sadden by the death of our beloved mother, grandmother and aunt, Gloria Holguin Gelfand on March 11, 2018. Her passing signals the end of her generation for our extended family, making this all the more poignant. Gloria was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, aunt, in-law and friend to so many. She was a charmer, with a giving nature; she had a heart of gold. Her love of family was primary in her life, along with her community and country. Deeply proud of her roots in the borderland, she instilled in her children and extended family a love and devotion to public service and volunteerism. Gloria loved people and counted many as friends. Family and friends depended on Gloria for counsel, advice and support. She was a rock for us and we shall greatly miss her.
Left behind to mourn her loss are her two daughters, Josefina (Fifi) Heller-Kaim and husband, Dr. Boris Kaim and Jacqueline A. Elliott and husband, Jeff. Gloria is survived by her grandchildren Dareck B. Heller and wife, Sara F. Heller, and Abigail Lou and Caroline Ruth Elliott. Gloria is also survived by nieces and nephews: Victor Montes (Margie), Dr. Richard Montes (Nancy), Bonnie Aguirre (Ben), Norma McLaughlin (Dale), Dr. Gilbert Montes (Pat), Joe Blanco (Alice), Danny Blanco, Dr. Jose Antonio Holguin, Luz Maria Roldan (Enrique), Dr. Raimundo Holguin (Liliana), Dr. Jose Sixto Holguin (Angelica), Gerardo Holguin (Claudia) and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and a large extended family.
Gloria was the daughter of the late Jose Sixto and Josefina Avitia Holguin, her beloved parents. She and her three siblings, the late Dora H. Montes, Bertha H. Blanco and Dr. Jose Antonio Holguin were all native El Pasoans who attended local schools. As a lifelong resident of El Paso, Gloria was very involved in community activities. She was a member of the Women’s Club of El Paso, Desert Hills Garden Club, Drive-a-Meal Council, McCall Day Nursery Board, Festival Theatre Auxiliary, Los Granaderos y Damas de Galvez, L.U.L.A.C. and the Sun Carnival Association, to name but a few.
Gloria had many hobbies, above all she was a great hostess, and she enjoyed cooking, gardening and decorating. She enjoyed traveling, but mostly loved doing word puzzles. Above all, Gloria had a very strong work ethic and believed in working or studying. She was a homemaker while her daughters were young and then enjoyed an active career in real estate, followed by 20 years at the El Paso Central Appraisal District, retiring at age 80 only because “a younger person might really need my job!”
Gloria was a very spiritual and moral woman who believed strongly and faithfully in God and the power of prayer. Her devotion enabled her to weather whatever challenges she might encounter and, in turn, delight in the joys of life. For whatever might come to pass, our mother had a saying or “dicho” to fit the occasion. Perhaps, she might now say, “Porque tanto brinco con el piso tan parejo?” or that is to say “Why all the fuss, when this is the way of life.”
Gloria was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church and supported various Catholic churches and causes in the El Paso area.
Serving as Pallbearers are Dareck B. Heller, Victor Montes, Joe Blanco, Danny Blanco, Dr. Jose Antonio Holguin and Dr. Raimundo Holguin.
Those who wish to remember Gloria with traditional flowers are surely welcome to do so as she loved all fresh flowers. Donations in her memory may be made to the Jon Heller Flower Fund at Temple Mount Sinai, 4408 N. Stanton St., El Paso, TX 79902, St. Anthony’s Seminary, 4601 Hastings Dr., El Paso, TX 79903 or your favorite charity.
The family wishes to thank all of Gloria’s caregivers during her illness, including Veronica Vazquez, Alejandra Ortega, the women of Visiting Angels and all the staff of Global Hospice for their kindness and support. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Alfonso Chavez, Dr. Panagiotis Valilis and Dr. Boris Kaim for their devotion to our Mother. A very special thanks to Gloria’s niece, Norma McLaughlin, R.N.P. (ret), for her care, kindness, love and support.
