Mrs. Elva Gavuzzi

1930 - 2010

Shopping for back-to-school clothes for 1,500 children might be a daunting task for some, but it wasn't for Elva Gavuzzi.

Mrs. Gavuzzi spent years catering to the well-heeled as a La Jolla fashion clothier, but she had a special passion for helping the needy, and she volunteered her time and skills to a program that provides clothes for underprivileged students.

When she worked with her then-husband Ray Stuard at the upscale Stuards stores in La Jolla and Fashion Valley, she dealt in designer labels and high-end fashion. In later years, she volunteered with the Assistance League to buy clothes for thousands of low-income children.

Mrs. Gavuzzi died of complications from Parkinson's disease Jan. 21 in Carlsbad. She was 79.

Whether she was visiting the sick and elderly at nursing homes, working at a church thrift shop or buying children's clothes for Operation School Bell, Mrs. Gavuzzi believed in showing her love for others by serving her community.

Family members and friends said Mrs. Gavuzzi was steadfast in her faith and enjoyed helping others. Aileen Withnell knew her when they both attended La Jolla Lutheran Church, and she later accepted Mrs. Gavuzzi's offer of a job at Stuards. While she was raising her family, Mrs. Gavuzzi also volunteered at the church and helped at the Stuards store when needed.

"She was always friendly and outgoing. Customers liked her," Withnell said. "She was lovely to look at and she was gracious; everyone liked Elva. She didn't get flustered or excited (over problems). She had a calm spirit."

Friend Hilde Koessler said Mrs. Gavuzzi's love of children and expertise in clothing led them to work together on the Assistance League's Operation School Bell program. In addition to planning and shopping for the program, Mrs. Gavuzzi volunteered at the charity's thrift store, worked on fundraising events and helped with the group's senior program.

She was born July 9, 1930, in Anaheim to John and Olga Clasen. She attended Fullerton College and married Ray Stuard in 1950. The couple moved to San Diego, where her husband worked for his parents at their clothing shops until he opened his own men's store in 1954.

He later expanded the popular store and added Stuards for Women. Mrs. Gavuzzi became more involved in the business as their children got older, and did the buying for the women's shop.

"My mom was always the woman behind the man," said her eldest daughter, Kathleen O'Donnell. "She was very much in the background (at the stores) when we were young, but she was always involved. Later, she just blossomed and her personal passion was helping people. She was always donating her time to several charities."

The Stuards divorced after 27 years of marriage, and she later married Jack Doran, who died of cancer. She married Robert Gavuzzi 24 years ago. The couple enjoyed traveling and took several cruises with friends. She was active with St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Del Mar and volunteered at a homeless shelter and the church's thrift shop.

Mrs. Gavuzzi is survived by her husband, Robert, of Del Mar; three daughters, Kathleen O'Donnell of Northridge, Kristin Jaco of Tulsa, Okla., and Vicki Yinger of Carlsbad; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow ?at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Del Mar.