Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Elba Iris Galarza lived a life full of love, humility and family. Elba is survived by her two children Daisy and Dionisio, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She reminded everyone that her name Elba spelled backwards is Able. She certainly was and so much more. Rarely being idle, Elba worked all of her adult life, having recently retired. Trained as a nurse, she eventually ventured into owning businesses such as a pizzeria, a pharmacy and a video rental shop, leading to a 30-year tenure with Shop Rite, where she greeted customers with her smile that lit up a room. Elba frequently doted on and bragged about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the pride of her life. Elba was the super-glue that held her family together with love. She planned surprise birthday and graduation parties, family gatherings and outings, holiday dinners, trips to the movies and the mall. Elba will be remembered by her family for her loving nature, her storytelling and especially when something was so funny that she would laugh for minutes at a time. Her grandchildren will remember their grandma as someone who always spoke from the heart, gave the best advice, was the best cook and baker they knew, was always everyone’s best cheerleader and when you needed her she was just a phone call or a visit away. Elba was a longtime resident of Glen Ridge. She was a proud Puerto Rican and a huge fan of Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Julio Iglesias and Celine Dion. She will be missed by her family and friends. Elba will be watching over us as an angel from above. Kindly omit flowers. Visitation will be on Monday, September 14th from 9-11am. followed by the mass at 12 noon at St. Anthony's of Padua Church, Franklin St., Belleville. The burial will be private.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18