Elida "Cathy" Santa Cruz

Elida: A Heart That Knew No Bounds... There are some people who move through the world leaving a trail of quiet light behind them. Elida was one of those rare souls. She didn't just live her life; she gave it away, piece by piece, to anyone who crossed her path in need of a hand to hold or a place to rest. She was a Shelter in the Storm. To Elida, being a friend was a sacred calling. She had a unique instinct for finding those who were struggling and stepping in before they even had to ask. Whether it was providing a safe roof for someone without a home, sharing her own food, or offering financial help when things were tight, Elida’s generosity was instinctive. She viewed her resources not as hers alone, but as tools to lift others up.

The Beauty of Her Presence... While her material help changed lives, it was Elida’s presence that healed spirits. She was a woman who understood the power of "being there." For the sick and the weary, she was a constant, comforting shadow. She was the one who would sit for hours by a bedside, making the room feel a little less lonely. She had the patience to talk through the long afternoons and the tenderness to sit and help a friend eat when they couldn't manage on their own. In those quiet moments—sharing a meal, a conversation, or a simple silence—Elida gave people back their dignity and reminded them they were loved.

Her Lasting Impact...The lives Elida touched form a vast, invisible web of gratitude. To those who knew her, she was a sanctuary. She taught us that the most important thing you can do with your life is to be useful to others. She showed us that a life well-lived isn't measured by what we keep, but by how much we share. We carry Elida’s spirit with us every time we choose to be kind, every time we listen a little longer, and every time we pull up an extra chair for someone in need. She was our friend, our helper, and our heart.

Elida was the loving mother of Blanca Ramos (Ramon) and William Santa Cruz (Nicole). Proud grandmother of Ramon Matthew Ramos, Juliana Rose Santa Cruz, Adelina Grace Santa Cruz and step grandmother of Logan Stevens and Cade Stevens. She leaves behind her companion of many years, Hugo Reyes. She will also be missed by the Montgomery family, Farwell family, Hunter family, Gille family and the Duncan family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Gathering at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 4401 7th St. Marrero, LA 70072, on Thursday January 22, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by a Memorial Mass. Interment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum located in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans. The family would also like to extend an invitation to a gathering after the services at Blanca’s home, 4912 Blanca Ct. Marrero, LA 70072.