Elidia Chavez Contreras

Elidia Chavez Contreras (Mom), 83, resided in Norwalk, California until her death on December 10, 2016. She was born in Goodyear, Arizona. Forest Lawn will be handling all funeral arrangements.

Elidia is survived by her brothers Alberto Chavez Jr.; Jesus Chavez; sister Chavela (Chavez) Guadian; and all her beloved nieces and nephews. Her children—daughter Angelina (Contreras) Muniz (husband Jorge Muniz); sons Antonio Contreras Jr.; Manuel Contreras (wife Maria Contreras); Juan(Johnny) Contreras (wife Susan Contreras); Enrique (Henry) Contreras; (wife Kim Contreras, deceased). Her grandchildren—oldest to youngest—Stephanie Contreras Gonzales (husband Jeremy Gonzales); Melissa Melendrez; Barbara (Muniz) Oikle (husband Jaime Oikle); Manuel Contreras Jr.; Ashley Contreras; and Pablo (Paul) Contreras. Her great grandchildren Savannah Melendrez, Bobbi Mendoza, Kaitlyn Oikle, Ryan Oikle, and Morgan Oikle.

She is predeceased by husband Antonio Ruiz Contreras, father Alberto Chavez, mother Nestora Chavez, and brothers Armando Chavez, Raul Chavez, and Rogelio Chavez.

Elidia and her parents and siblings lived in Fabens, Texas, where she met and married her husband of 54 years, Antonio Ruiz Contreras, until his death in 2002. They raised five children—Angelina, Antonio Jr., Manuel, Johnny and Henry.

In March 1964 the family moved to sunny California where, in March 1967, Antonio Sr entered his family into a HUD house raffle, totally by faith. To their great surprise, they won! A down payment of $700 was needed to buy them a house, which they did not have. What they had was an awesome agent who lent them the down payment. Antonio and Elidia both worked hard for three months to pay it back, and they did so with gratitude. They moved into their new home, and Elidia became a homemaker while Antonio worked for Norris Industries until he retired.

Mom's favorite thing to do was cook for her family, and keep a clean house. She loved making fresh tortillas, but her best dishes were home-made Mexican food. Anytime anyone spoke about mom it was always about her wonderful cooking. Mom's favorite pastime was going to the casinos to gamble. Her and Dad would always take road trips to Vegas and more often than not, Mom always came home a winner. If she lost, we never heard of those times! And if you happened to be with her when she won, she always gave you a little something to go and try your own luck. She would always say, "Play all three coins! That's how you win!"

Mom, our hearts are breaking, and we are going to miss you deeply. But thank you so much for all the wonderful memories you made with us, to keep us going for the rest of our lives. May God welcome you into His kingdom with His loving arms. Thank you, also, for being the best Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Mother in law, and friend that you could be.