Eliboria Peña Curiel

Our dearly beloved mother, Eliboria Peña Curiel, “Ellie” went home to her Lord on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the blessed age of 89. Affectionately also known as “Boria,” she was born on December 25, 1936, on a ranch in rural Rio Grande City, Texas. Since she came into the world on Christmas Day, Ellie loved to say, “I was born with a big red bow on my head!” Then she’d laugh — the kind of laugh that made everyone around her join in.

Ellie’s strong, unwavering faith in God was the heartbeat of her life and her positive joyful spirit was evident to all who knew her.

Spending time with family and friends, sharing stories, laughing, listening to music as well as cooking her signature dishes for those she loved is what she enjoyed most. Her peaceful walks renewed her spirit, especially when she was near the lake in nature where she enjoyed her hobby of bird watching, while also feeding the birds and ducks. Collecting unique antique tea pots was another fun past time that brought her great joy.

Ellie was proud of her high school National Honor Society record and after graduating in 1956, she attended Draughon’s Business College in San Antonio, Texas. Gifted with a natural talent for numbers, she effortlessly excelled in the accounting field. She went on to hold senior accounting positions throughout her career — most notably 14 years at Lockheed Martin and 11 years at The University of Texas at Arlington, where she retired at 75 years young.

Ellie’s faithful dedication to the Lord and to her church led her to collaborate with the original first group of Hispanic parish leaders and parishioners — pillars of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas — where she helped shape and advocate for the parish’s growing Hispanic community. She translated weekly liturgy readings from English to Spanish for the church’s first Spanish Mass in 1980, served for decades as a lector and eucharistic minister, and participated in the Cursillo Movement retreats. She then was elected and served as Vice President on the parish council committee. Alongside her husband, Jose Hermilo “Milo” Curiel, she coordinated the parish’s first photo directory in 1989 — a labor of love that reflected her belief in community and connection.

She also taught English as a second language classes at both St. Matthew’s and later as a formal instructor for the University of Texas at Arlington’s Continuing Education Department while also working full time as a senior accounting specialist at the university.

Within the same month of her retirement, Ellie began her brave 14-year battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s through the same grace, humor, and courage that defined her life. Even as the illness progressed, she continued to teach — teaching us all what faith, resilience and humor looks like while battling disease.

She was — and will always be — a true force of nature: prayerful, funny and unforgettable everywhere she went. Her legacy is one of faith, love, service, resilience, patience, and generosity — a life lived overcoming many challenges while also celebrating many triumphs; and now, she rests in peace.

Ellie is now reunited with those who went before her; her 3-year-old son, Mario Orlando Curiel; her husband of 24 years, Jose Hermilo “Milo” Curiel — a Korean War Veteran; her parents, Virginia Villarreal Peña and Jose Maria Peña; her sister Estela Peña Ponce; her nephew, Raymond R. Ponce; her brothers Efrain Peña and Raul Peña; and her in-laws; Rolando R. Ponce, Maria Curiel Huerta, Ruben and Delia Curiel.

Carrying her love forward, she is survived by her daughters, Isabel Curiel and Melinda Curiel Torres; her cherished granddaughter, Grace Torres; her devoted compadres, Mary and Mike Torres and family; and many nieces, nephews, and an extended family of dear friends whose lives she touched in countless ways.

Visitation: Thursday, June 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. with Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX. 76012

Funeral Mass: Friday, June 12 at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 2021 New York Ave., followed by interment at Parkdale Cemetery, 701 S. Mary St. in Arlington.