Elda Maria Grijalva

Elda Maria Grijalva was called home by our Lord Jesus Christ on October 5, 2022 in the company of her beloved family and pastor. Elda will be remembered as a lifelong Catholic whose warmth, kindness, and charity touched all who were blessed to know her in this life.

Elda was born on August 28, 1930 to Carlos Manuel Murillo and Maria Teresa Vargas de Murillo in Nicaragua. As a child, Elda loved helping her mother and grandmother with stitching projects, playing baseball with her brothers, riding horses in parades, and spending time with her siblings and many cousins. Elda moved to San Francisco in 1956. She enjoyed her life in the City and made many lifelong friends. She worked in the fashion industry. While living in the City, Elda met the love of her life, Richard Grijalva. The couple wed in 1958 and enjoyed 31 years of marriage until Richard's death in 1989.

Richard and Elda moved to Santa Clara in 1962. The couple was blessed with two loving daughters, Eldita and Rosita. Elda was the perfect mama who cherished her daughters with all her heart. Elda also loved her devoted sons-in-law, Joseph and Matthew, and happily welcomed them into her family. Richard and Elda were also blessed with one grandchild, Christina Marie. Elda retired to help raise her granddaughter. She shined in the role of "Grandma Mita." Elda treated her granddaughter's friends as her own grandchildren and loved volunteering at school functions. She also adored her grandson-in-law, Michael.Elda became a great-grandmother to her beloved Charlotte Marie in 2020. She treasured her great-granddaughter and made many happy memories with her.

Elda was an elegant lady whose style and class were unparalleled. She also had many hobbies, including maintaining a beautiful garden, solving crossword puzzles, rooting for her San Francisco Giants, and keeping up with her favorite characters on the Young and the Restless. In honor of her late husband, Elda also volunteered at the American Legion, serving as both historian and a board member.Elda was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church for over 60 years. She was a member of the Altar Society and volunteered at parish luncheons for the seminarians and the handicapped. Elda was a holy lady who prayed unceasingly for her family and friends, and she had a special devotion to the Holy Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Our Blessed Lady.

Elda was preceded in death by her parents, Carlos Manuel and Maria Teresa; loving husband, Richard; son-in-law, Joseph; and many siblings. Elda is survived by her cherished daughters, Eldita and Rosita (Matthew); granddaughter, Christina (Michael); great-granddaughter, Charlotte; sister, Socorro; and countless nephews, nieces, and cousins in both the United States and Nicaragua who meant the world to her. A public viewing will be available on Thursday, October 27 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Lima Family Mortuary in Santa Clara. A Catholic funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 28, at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Santa Clara, followed by the burial at 11:00 AM at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. A Celebration of Life reception will be held at a future date to keep our loving family and friends safe.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church (2800 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054) in memory of Elda Grijalva. Her family is also certain that she would love for you to pray the Holy Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.