Our loving mother and grandmother, Virginia Elizabeth Alvarez, 98, of Hemet, California, was called away by God to eternal life on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Virginia was born in Los Angeles, California to Santiago and Carmen Diaz. Her family later moved to El Paso, Texas where she was raised with her two sisters. She attended Bowie High School in El Paso, then later received her high school diploma and teaching certificates. When she was 15 years old, she met the love of her life Baltazar A. Alvarez. On February 9, 1943, she married Baltazar just before he was sent to England during World War II. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of three sons, whom they raised in El Paso. Virginia dedicated herself to teaching catechism up until she was 89 years old. She was very active at Our Lady of the Light Church as a member of the choir and as a catechist for 48 years. She ran the pre-kinder and kinder classes at Dolan Chapel for 24 years. She continued her teaching when she moved to California as an ESL instructor, becoming certified at a local community college. Virginia also loved dancing and singing, and she performed with the Sweet Adelines both in Texas and California. She will always be remembered as a beautiful person with a beautiful soul who inspired us with her love, support, hard work, and dedication to family, friends, and church community. We will never forget her sense of humor and her laughter.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Balazar A. Alvarez; her sons, Baltazar G. and Charles R. Alvarez; her sisters, Dora Munoz, Beatrice Galaviz, Ruth Navarro, and Martha Lugo; and by her brother, Beto Diaz. She is survived by her son Jaime V. Alvarez (Jeanie); ten grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and seven great great-grandchildren; her sisters, Lucy Jaramillo and Christy Diaz, and by numerous nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a vigil at 7:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79903, (915) 566-3955. Funeral mass will be Friday, December 13th at 1:00 PM at Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church, 4700 Delta Dr, El Paso, TX 79905 with interment to follow in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso ,TX 79906.
