Elida Cortinas Alvarado loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 24, 2012 after a courageous battle against cancer. She was born on June 8, 1951 in Taft, Texas to Selso G. and Beatriz Rivera Cortinas. Ellie, as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, was a strong woman who always worked hard and took care of everyone around her. These characteristics were evident in her work as a certified nursing assistant at Taft Hospital and other medical agencies for many years. Following her work as a CNA, she was employed by Taft ISD and Gregory-Portland ISD at various times until 2005. She was a devout Catholic, a member of Immaculate Conception Church and its Guadalupana organization.Ellie was the care-giver and nurturer of her family; always putting the needs of those she loved before her own. She would go out of her way to make sure she was at the bedside of a family member who was ill or needed help and would stay to take care of them for as long as they needed. Ellie also loved to cook and bake, and always took pride in these activities. Nothing made her happier than when friends and family would gather around the table to enjoy what she had made. She will always be remembered for her famous enchiladas and delicious desserts. Ellie could conjure up a conversation with anyone and made friends with everyone she met. Her warm, caring nature, words of wisdom, and jolly laughter will be dearly missed. Ellie is preceded in death by her parents, Selso G. Cortinas and Beatriz Rivera Cortinas and a half sister, Lydia Cortinas Deleon. She is survived by her husband, Ciprano Alvarado of Taft, Texas, her three brothers, Alfredo (Sonja) Cortinas of Rio Grande City, Texas, Gilberto (Rita) Cortinas of Las Vegas, Nevada and Esteban (Armidah) Cortinas of Corpus Christi, Texas, her two sisters, Sylvia (Alfonso) Guajardo of Austin, Texas and Sulema (Guadalupe) Martinez of Taft, Texas, her children, Emily (David) Martinez of Ennis, Texas, Edward Narvaez of Taft, Texas, and Edna (Matt) Cortinas-Young of Corpus Christi, Texas. Her three grandchildren, David (Maggie) Martinez, Elizabeth Martinez, and Clarissa Martinez of Ennis, Texas, a grand-dog, Chico Cortinas-Young of Corpus Christi, Texas, and two great grandchildren, Adrianna and Gabriel Martinez of Ennis, Texas. Her nieces, Tina Guajardo and Samantha (Luciano) Briceno of Austin, Texas; Melissa (Marcos) Garcia of Taft, Texas, Abby Gail and Ella Cortinas of Rio Grande City, Texas, Katie, Veronica, and Cecilia Cortinas of Corpus Christi, Texas. Her nephews, Matthew (Ashley) Martinez of Taft, Texas, Michael Cortinas of San Diego, California, and Noah Cortinas of Corpus Christi, Texas, and her three great nephews and four great nieces. The family will be receiving friends on Thursday, June 28, 2012 from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home in Taft, Texas with a rosary recited at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church with Fr. Francisco Lopez as celebrant. A private burial of her ashes next to her beloved parents will be held at Taft Memorial Park in Taft, Texas at a later date.The family would like to thank Karen, Alicia, Paula, and Bernie from Odyssey Hospice, Dr. Ruben Pedraza along with the many nurses and staff who assisted in caring for Ellie throughout her numerous visits to Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline, her oncologist, Dr. Ajay Seghal, his staff, and the entire chemotherapy staff at Christus Spohn Cancer Center on Santa Fe. Condolences may be offered at colonialfuneralhometaft.com.Arrangements are entrusted to Colonial Funeral Home, 204 Meyer, Taft, Texas 78390.
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