Elsa Gloria Barrios

Survived by her husband of 54 years, Ruben, sons James and Larry Barrios, and grandchildren Max and Arianna Barrios, and sisters Rosi, Terri, and Carmen.

Elsa was born in Mexico City in November 1949 to parents Fausto and Carmen. She moved to Los Angeles with her family as a young child. Elsa met her future husband at Marshall High School and had their first date at the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park.

Elsa and Ruben were married in Los Angeles at St. Anne’s Church in June 1968 and moved to Fullerton in 1969. Elsa stayed home to raise her two sons James and Larry while they were young children. In her free time, Elsa pursued her passion for the arts and learned to paint and draw. She decorated her home with many of her paintings and often gifted these to friends and family.

As James entered St. Mary’s Elementary school in 1975, Elsa volunteered as classroom assistant and later worked as an art teacher for the school. Over the years, she created the art curriculum at St. Mary’s School, and this art program became well known throughout Orange County. She taught art to hundreds of students for over 25 years, and she inspired many of them to pursue professions related to the arts.

Elsa fully embraced life. She loved to entertain friends and family with homemade cooking that rivaled any restaurant. She loved going out to dance with her husband Ruben every Saturday night. She loved the frequent camping trips with her family to the mountains, deserts, and beaches in California. And she loved trips to Chicago to visit her grandchildren Max and Arianna.

Services will be held on Tuesday, June 20 at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 400 W. Commonwealth in Fullerton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elsa’s memory to St. Mary’s Parish.