Elvira G Patina

Elvira Garza Patiña, 90, Sunnyside, passed away at home after a short illness surrounded by her family, on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Elvira was born May 1, 1929 at La Jara Ranch, Hargill, Hidalgo County, Texas to Pedro Garza and Librada Lopez. She lived a real and genuine ranch life of that era with a very large extended family that included siblings and many cousins and as a child had a pet javelina named “Sancha”. Going to school and a family ride into town was in a horse drawn wagon or buggy. She had excellent horse-riding skills and she, her siblings and cousins would ride and race bareback. She could handle a gun and rifle with the best of them.

When she was a teenager the family moved into town and Elvira continued to receive her early education in Hargill, Texas

On December 30, 1944 Miss Elvira Garza married Florentino Patiña in Hidalgo County, Texas making their home in Hargill, Texas. She possessed very strong work ethics. The family depended mainly on farm work, so they migrated with the crops all over Texas, surrounding states and the Mid-West. In March 1963 the family migrated to Washington State, and settled in Sunnyside ending their yearly migration. Mrs Patiña continued to work in field work at Newhouse Farms in Sunnyside until 1968 when she entered the nursing field of medicine. She worked in what was then Valley Memorial Hospital that became Sunnyside Community Hospital for 23 years retiring in 1991.

Elvira loved to sew and embroidery. There are many that have her beautiful embroidery and quilts that she put in so much effort and love. She loved music loved to dance. She had a beautiful flower garden with local plants and flowers and plants that she brought from Texas, taking great pride. In her front yard we feed the wild birds, hummingbirds and squirrels which she enjoyed watching. She had a beloved kitty named Tigger who pass in July 2019 at almost 18 years old.

She was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan since 1968 and an Atlanta Braves fan since the team was in Milwaukee.

But her greatest love was for her family … all five generations. She looked forward to visits from the family which gave her the greatest joy. Besides her family she has many others that she loves and call her grandma. She would cook for all and was known for her delicious tamales and daily tortillas. She always had a pot of coffee to greet anyone that came to visit.

Elvira was a lifetime member of the Catholic Church.

She is survived by her children; Florentino (Martha) Patiña Jr. Grandview, WA, Janie Lopez. Trudy (Jesus Martinez) Carbajal, Felipa Piña, Ruben Patiña, Emilia (Rick) McMillan and Joe (Irene) Patiña, and son-in-law Juan Rios, all of Sunnyside, WA. She is survived by 31 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren and 32 great-great-grandchildren. She has one remaining sibling: Elisa G Barron of Lovell, WY, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

Elvira was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her children: Ambrosio (1st) Patiña, Ambrosio (2nd) Patiña, Jose Ramon Patiña, Eufemia “Mia” Rios, and Salome “Ji” Patiña, her grandson Orlando “Nano” Patiña, Her siblings: Mateo Garza, Rafael Garza, Gustavo (1st) Garza, Gustavo (2nd) Garza, Manuel Garza, Librada Garza, Amancio Garza, Juan Garza, Consuelo Lopez Patiña and Angelita Garza Hernandez and her son-in-law Juan Piña.

 Special thanks to our Mom’s care team: Dr Ana Madej, Astria Sunnyside Hospital, Heartlinks Hospice Palliative Care and the very special care from the staff of Smith Funeral Home.

During her entire life, our mother was never alone, she will take with her the cremated remains of her son Salome “Ji” Patiña and her grandson Orlando “Nano” Patiña. As she said to us “I will never be alone”. Those wishing to sign Elvira’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

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