Elva Idalia Trevino Peña, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, dearest friend and spirited teacher to many, passed away on November 29, 2020, in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 84. She had a life full of love and shared her kindness to anyone she met. Her sense of humor and quick wit, often used to correct your grammar, will be dearly missed. She cherished her friends, family and relatives dearly.
Elva was born in Benavides, Texas, on November 12, 1936. She attended Texas A&I University – Kingsville where she earned a Bachelor of Science and began her teaching career in Benavides. During her studies on campus she met fellow student, Nelson Peña and they fell madly in love. They were married on August 21, 1960 at the Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church in Benavides and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. As newlyweds they moved to Mirando City where they taught for 20 years, eventually settling in Corpus Christi with their three children. There she earned a Master of Science from Corpus Christi State University and retired as a reading instructor at Del Mar College in 2001. She truly enjoyed teaching and had a positive impact on many students and colleagues who to this day recall fond memories of her.
Elva was a woman of faith committed to serving her church. At Most Precious Blood she was a member in the Women’s Council. When St. John the Baptist Catholic Church started, she was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She served as Court Regent, District Deputy, Education State Chairman and Delegate at the National Convention for 28 years. She shared her love and faith serving also as a member of the Society of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
She is preceded in death by her mother Frances Trevino; her father Jose Trevino; and her sister Maria Irma “Minnie” Sendejar.
Those left to cherish her are husband Nelson Peña, children Maria Francela, Nelson Ivan (Betty), and Jose Marcel (Diana); her grandchildren, Bonazzi, Enzo, Isidro, Anthony, Americus, Lily, Asher, Joseph, and Jude; her great-grandchildren, Adeline, Hunter, Holden, and Kendal. Her brother Juan Gilberto (Virginia) and sister Diana Preciado; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held at 12:30 PM; rosary recited at 1:30 PM and funeral mass celebrated at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens in Corpus Christi, Texas.
