Elva Mae Blachowiak, 89-years-old, passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at her home in Houston, Texas, after a courageous battle with cancer. Her strong will to live and steadfast faith in God throughout that experience was a testament of her unwavering Christian faith.
Elva was born on January 18, 1929 in Houston, Texas to Ernest and Becky Johnson. The second of 5 remarkable girls, her sisters – Betty Jean, Vera, Helen, and Judy – grew up in the historic Houston Heights.
Throughout her life she cared for others, exemplified selflessness, and was the heart of the family. A loving mother, Elva, was a remarkable cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, most especially over the holidays. She shared her love of the Gulf of Mexico and ocean waters with her children who leaned to surf and fish. They too, developed a deep and abiding connection to those waters. Leonard and Elva raised their 2 cherished children, Ernie and Betty with a real gusto for life. She loved to spend time at the beach, read, pray, bowl, play games/cards, and especially treasured spending time with her granddaughters, great-grandsons, and talking with friends and family, …just to name a few. Elva was also a dedicated Houston sports and Aggie fan who delighted in the” Love Ya Blue” and “Clutch City” heydays.
Elva began serving the students of the Houston Independent School District in the mid 1960’s as a clerk in the Reading Clinic at Garden Oaks Elementary School. Later, in 1973, she was the secretary to the Assistant Principals at Frank Black Middle School, where after over 20 years in HISD, she would retire in 1993. As an active member of Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church she taught Sunday School and just helped wherever she was needed.
Elva is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Blachowiak; sisters, Betty Jean, Vera, and Helen. She is survived by her children, Ernie Blachowiak & wife Debra, and Betty Johnson & husband Wayne; granddaughters, Morgan Sommers & husband Rob, and Juli Blachowiak; great-grandchildren, Grant, Eli, and Kayleig Mae; sister, Judy and other extended family members, Maureen Villarreal and Donna Villarreal.
There will be a Visitation with family at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008, July 17th, 4p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Memorial service will be led by Father Hamilton at Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W 43rd St, Houston, TX 77018, on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 10:00 am. A luncheon reception for the family and close friends will be held at Hope Episcopal’s Parish Hall immediately following the Funeral Service.
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from family and friends. We would also like extend our heartfelt thanks to: Hospice – the amazing Memorial HermanTeam.
