Elizabeth Chavez

Liz had been diagnosed with cancer last year and fought to become cancer-free. Unfortunately, the illness returned a few months later. She had begun treatment, but before it continued, she fell into a coma. Our Liz passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and friends.

We are heartbroken. We are saddened and in disbelief. But, we all remember the many happy times we each spent with Liz as family, colleagues, amigas, and amigos.

Friends remember her as “A trailblazer, a woman of courage and vision. She went where others dared not go, achieving great things for herself and many other people.”

Liz cherished her many friendships from her days at El Paso High. She loved her Stanford University family, and her colleagues in television and film. Her numerous friendships were not affected by distance or time. It didn’t matter how far you were from her or how long you hadn’t spoken to dear Liz. One phone call, one text, or one email message, and you could feel the love she had for you.

Elizabeth Chavez was a graduate of Stanford University with degrees in Communications and Spanish. She was a founding member and past president of the Stanford Chicano/Latino Alumni Association and founded the Stanford Latino Scholarship Fund, an endowment that raised half a million dollars in its first year. Liz also attended UCLA Law School and was selected as a Core Fellow of UCLA’s National Public Affairs and Management Program.

An Emmy award-winning television producer and director having worked at KCBS, Los Angeles, she attended the CBS School of Management in New York City as a senior manager. She was a distinguished member of the Director’s Guild of America and The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Liz was also the President of Impact Media Communications headquartered in Los Angeles. She provided services as a publicist on many productions including the breakthrough television drama Resurrection Blvd. and the Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos film Selena, working closely with film producer Moctezuma Esparza and director Gregory Nava.

During her impressive career in Los Angeles Liz left her indelible mark on the lives of Californians. She was a member of the National Hispanic Journalists and served in the political arena as Communications Director for then-city Councilmember Richard Alatorre. She was also appointed to the Greek Theater Advisory Board.

Liz was a consummate professional as well as a dedicated community leader and visionary. She founded the Wise Latina International non-profit organization headquartered in El Paso. Its mission is to raise awareness, educate, and empower Latinas and all women. Under her leadership, this non-profit serves the border of El Paso, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez.

A strong advocate for Chicano history, art, and culture, Liz joined the community efforts to build MACI, the Mexican American Cultural Institute, in El Paso, and became and founding member of the Board of Directors. She also served on the board of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, the El Paso Community College Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, and the University of Texas at El Paso’s 21st Century Scholars Program.

Throughout her career, Liz received numerous commendations and awards including the YWCA’s Racial Justice Ambassador Award, The Latinitas’ “Mujeres Making A Difference Award,” and McDonald’s Hispanic Triunfadores Award in Arts and Entertainment. She was recognized by La Mujer Obrera for her leadership and dedication to promoting and upholding the rights of women on the border. Liz was also honored by the City of Los Angeles during Women’s History Month.

She was a great believer in Our Lord, and depended on her faith to provide strength and guidance in her life and her work.

Liz now joins her dear parents, Guillermo and Albertina Chavez. She is survived by her loving sister Sandra Castillo, devoted brother-in-law Michael Castillo, and extended family members including her tia Elvira Reyes and tio Juan Aguilar.

Known to her family as “Eli,” she loved her familia with all her heart. As a native El Pasoan, she shared her time and love with a multigenerational family including many primas, primos, nieces, and nephews from the familias Reyes, Aguilar, Ortiz, Rodriguez, Saenz, Ramirez, and Chavez.

Liz will also be missed by her beloved fur nieces Frida, Tita, and fur nephew Raider.

Elizabeth Chavez will always be remembered as a woman with a great mind, a big heart, and a joyful laugh. It was a privilege to know her.

Never forgotten, always remembered. She will remain in our hearts and memories.

Liz Chavez. ¡Presente!