Elena Antoinette Irving

ELENA IRVING

Elena Antoinette Irving (Peritore), 94, of Los Angeles, died peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2026.

Born in New York City to Italian heritage parents, Elena grew up in Queens, where her creative talents emerged early. By age 13, she was writing poetry, painting, and sculpting. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, and worked as a fashion designer on Seventh Avenue in New York City.

Elena married real estate investor and screenwriter Robert Irving on Valentine’s Day in 1953, and they had two sons, Robert and Paul. She continued her artistic work and in 1966, the family moved to Mexico City, where her husband was appointed to establish a School of Communications at Universidad Iberoamericana. During that time, Elena was deeply affected by the lives of Mexico’s people, and she produced a prolific body of work in sculpture and painting in oil, watercolor and pastels. Her art was exhibited and sold in galleries throughout Latin America.

Elena and her family returned to the United States in 1973, and settled in Los Angeles a year later, where she continued her artistic career. She received numerous commissions, including the 1984 Olympic poster "Freedom Through Sports, Science and Industry" for the California Museum of Science & Industry; the life-sized bronze "Nucleus of the Social Spirit: Mother and Child" for Childhelp USA; "Spirit of Understanding" for the International Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and, "Life Spirit" for the Santa Marta Hospital Foundation. She frequently served on panels judging painting, sculpture, graphic arts, and photography competitions.

Elena said, “I see myself mainly in my work, not in the mirror. I consider a piece successful if it expresses inner life—the strong drives motivating us such as power and pride, pleasure and disappointment, and the vulnerability of our hopes and dreams.”

She is survived by her son, Paul Irving (Naomi Tsuda); grandchildren Kate Irving, Lisa Irving (Cassidy Melczak), Allen Irving; and great grandchildren Ella and Isaac. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Catherine Peritore; her husband, Robert Irving; her son, Robert Irving Jr.; and her brother, Vincent Peritore.