Elaine Ambriz

Elaine Ambriz, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away at the age of 79, on November 8th, 2024. Elaine died surrounded by her seven children, family members and friends after a short battle with cancer.

Elaine was born on November 11, 1944, in Cortijo Nuevo, Coeneo, Michoacán de Ocampo, Mexico, to her parents Apolinar Villagomez and Celia Arevalo. On February 24th, 1962, she married Mariano Ambriz, son of Felix and Teresa Ambriz.

Elaine’s husband immigrated to the US in 1962 and sent for his young wife and son Hugo a year later in 1963. They settled in the growing community of Azusa, California. In the years that followed, Mariano and Elaine grew their family to seven children in a home they would share for over 50 years together.

Elaine embraced her life at home in Azusa by growing a vibrant and beautiful garden full of flowers and trees. She learned how to drive and attended adult education classes for many years. She was more fluent in English, than she liked to let on. As her children attended local public schools, Elaine wove the Mexican culture she grew up in, with the American customs she learned in California. Every holiday was celebrated, and new family traditions were born. In December of 1990 Mariano had an injury at work that required several surgeries and left him slightly disabled. Elaine nursed him back to health and they embarked on what would be many years of travel. From the slot machines in Las Vegas to the beautiful scenery in Canada, and many sites across the country in between. Mariano, Elaine and Hugo all became US Citizens in June of 1994.

Mariano was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease shortly before their 50th wedding anniversary in 2012. Elaine was his primary caregiver for 10 years, before his death in October 2022.

In 2023 Elaine was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Always the strong and vibrant woman, she chose to seek treatment and fight for her life. With the great care and support of her children, she was able to stay in her home and continue her love of gardening and taking long walks with friends throughout her treatment.

She was a devout Catholic, a great cook and seamstress; she had a lovely singing voice and a witty sense of humor.

Elaine is survived by her seven children; eldest son Hugo Ambriz and his wife Kristi Tisor Ambriz and their five children, Adam Kalin, Tessa Schaefer (Nathan), Danielle Ross (Matt), Abigail Kladifko (Kyle) and Lee Robert Kalin, her son Luis Ambriz, her daughter, Marina Wolf and her husband Adam Wolf, her daughter, Alicia Acuña and her husband, Raudel Acuña, their two children Jake Anthony Acuña and Elaine Alyza Acuña, her daughter Elsa Dillman and her husband Brian Dillman, her daughter Olivia Herrick, and her daughters, Caitlin Herrick and Kelsey Herrick and her youngest daughter Laura Krüg and her husband Brian Krüg and their three children, Norah Krüg, Wyatt Mariano Krüg and Jolene Karen Krüg. Elaine is preceded in death by her late husband Mariano Ambriz and her daughter Rosario Ambriz.