Elvira Razo-Alvarado

Elvira Razo was the eldest daughter of Jose Razo and Maria Perez. She was born on September 11, 1930 in Guanajuato, Mexico, and at the age of 18, married Rufino Alvarado who together had 9 children, 30 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren.

From an early age, she learned to be a hard worker as she helped her father and mother with house chores, food preparation, and caring for her many younger siblings. She once expressed that she secretly wanted to get married so that she didn't have to do so much work and take care of so many kids, but to her surprise, she found out later that once married, she had more housework and a lot more children of her own to take care of!

Elvira immigrated to California along with her family, and she had to adapt to so much, including a new home, a new culture, a new language, and a totally new way of life.

She was always a mama bear who lived for her children and was willing to do anything to overcome any obstacles that got in her way to provide and defend her cubs.

She attempted to learn how to drive, however after a scare, she decided that she would be content with attempting to learn how to ride a bike instead. She also took English classes, but pretended she didn't know what her kids or grandchildren were saying, and she insisted that Spanish be spoken at home. Thanks to that, all her children and most of her grandchildren are fully bilingual.

She learned to bake, can fruit and vegetables, garden, and crochet amongst other hobbies, and she highly encouraged her children to achieve the academic education that she was not able to have.

She became a widow at the age of 51, and she never remarried. She had become a strong warrior who was not afraid to be a mother and a father to her many children. Circumstances had already given her much practice in facing the world with bravery always with God at her side and the Blessed Mother to guide her.

Elvira had a strong Christian Catholic faith that she passed down to her children, and she made it a point to remind her children to go to Confession and attend Mass regularly. She was always very generous to the Church, and during her mature adulthood, she joined several ministries in her parish community where she flourished.

She taught her children to be hard workers and to do things right the first time!

In her later years, she stated that she should not have worked so much, instead she should have spent more time doing what really matters. A lesson for all of us!

She valued family as a very important part of life, and she made it a point to visit and stay in touch with her siblings. She always wanted to have a close and united family filled with love and peace.

Elvira was not a person of many words, but she had great wisdom to share with those who took the time to get to know her. As the years passed, she learned to share her feelings and express love in a way that had not been taught to her. In her later life, her eyes would brighten up when she saw a baby! She loved kissing and hugging them, at least for a little while. Her love language was service that explains why she would always make sure no one went hungry!

Although she didn't have very many real friends, the few that she had were good ones!

She was a good listener, and many people from her community respected her and wanted to share their stories with her and hear her advice. She had true wisdom to share that the Holy Spirit had bestowed on her throughout the many years of life.

She was able to fulfill her dream of traveling to the Holy Land, and she said that she could not believe that she was able to walk where Jesus had walked.

On another occasion, upon returning from Italy, she said she didn't want to eat pasta ever again, but what she did want was a tortilla with beans and a chili pepper!

"Mama Vira," as she was known to her grandchildren, had a great taste in food, and she was an excellent cook with her traditional Mexican recipes. She was famous for her "tortillas de harina" which we grew up eating fresh off the grill with melted butter.

Mama Vira loved nature and took long walks on the hills of her hometown, and she also loved the ocean and walking on the beach. She once stated that she had not been allowed to jump into puddles in her youth and that she had always wanted to do it so when she was in her 80s she was going to jump into puddles all that she wanted!

She had a hard and long life of 92 years, but filled with acts of love. Mama Vira showed us what it meant to have no greater love than to give your life for another. When God received her soul, He must have said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Mama Vira lived her last years with Alzhiermer's, and even then, she never gave up her faith in Christ. Through her condition, she taught her children and grandchildren to be more human and to embrace the opportunity to reciprocate some of the love, service, and sacrifice that she gave to so many.

She is survived by her Children: Ruben, Jose Luis, Maria Luisa, Raul, Maricela (Hurtado), Enrique, Mary Socorro (Briseño), and Adrian Alvarado, 30 Grandchildren and 34 Great-Grandchildren.

She is preceded by: Her father Jose Razo, her mother Maria Perez, her husband Rufino Alvarado, her son Abel Alvarado, and her four grandchildren: Maritza & Andrea Hurtado- Alvarado, and Natanael Alvarado & Alejandra Alvarado-Castro.

Mama Vira left a legacy of love, family values, faith, culture and traditions to be treasured, and she will be in the hearts and in the prayers of all those whom she touched during her lifetime. Until we meet again, our beloved Mama Vira. We thank you for your unconditional love and sacrifices. May you rest in peace beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, sister, and friend. We know you will continue to pray for us in heaven as you have always done.