Elisa E. Merino

Services will be held Friday May 4 at 2:00 pm in memory of Elisa E Merino, who died Sunday April 29, 2018 at her home. Born in San Diego on October 15, 1944, to Miriam Minor Merino and Ernest Merino, Elisa was raised in Imperial Beach and had lived in Chula Vista since 1968. She attended local schools, graduating as valedictorian from Mar Vista High and then from San Diego State College with highest honors. She worked at the Learning Resource Center of Southwestern Community College for about 35 years.

In her retirement, she continued to teach Sunday School to young children at First Southern Baptist Church of Chula Vista where she was a member for fifty years, holding many positions such as church clerk and church treasurer. She headed the committee to bring the current pastor, Eric Maggio, to this congregation, along with many other committees to help better her community.

She volunteered as a literacy tutor through the Chula Vista Public Library and the school district, and was a cataloger, indexer, and transcriber with the San Diego Historical Society for many years. She was an avid gardener and an expert seamstress, making all her own attire and provided new outfits for needy school children. She excelled with all kinds of needlework which she lovingly bestowed on family and friends, and also regularly knit caps for premature babies.

Though these activities kept her busy, reading was a passion, and she scheduled time to indulge in that passion. She also made sure to take the time to travel with her family, both at home and abroad. She will be remembered for her calm, ordered approach to life, for her generous friendship, for her capable leadership of committees at both church and at work, and for her love of God and love of family.

Elisa is survived by her six sisters, Kathleen Aleman (Spokane WA), Miriam Costilow (Hugo OK), Jimmie Martin and Frances Osgood (both Vancouver WA), Laura Mae Leach (Moreno Valley, CA), and Elizabeth Merino (Somerton, AZ); seven nieces and nephews, 7 great- nieces and nephews and 1 great-great nephew.

Services will be held at First Southern Baptist Church of Chula Vista, 335 Church Ave.,

and will be followed by a reception at the church. Internment will be private at Glen Abby Memorial Park.