ELISA MENDOZA

Elisa Nieto Mendoza, age 49, passed away peacefully at home with her husband, Art Mendoza, at her side on Sunday, February 15, 2015, after a heroic life with breast cancer. She was born in Fresno on June 18, 1965, and was the youngest daughter of Chon and Emily Nieto. She graduated from Central Union High School in 1983, Fresno City College in 1986, and California State University, Fresno in 1989, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She was employed since 1990 with the Small Business Administration in Fresno, and was currently the Chief Administrative Officer at the Fresno Commercial Loan Servicing Center. Elisa was very outgoing, made friends easily, and was loved by so many. She had a beautiful smile and was always filled with laughter. People were drawn to her statuesque beauty and became captivated by her down to earth nature. When Elisa entered a room, all eyes were upon her as if she were the only person in the room. As beautiful as she was on the outside, she was a greater beauty on the inside. She always made people feel comfortable and they always had her undivided attention when in her presence. Elisa and Art enjoyed traveling to their place on the Central Coast and to their family vacation home at Graeagle, CA. She loved good conversation, food, beautiful homes, and she loved to help family and friends plan special events. She had a gift of making everything perfect and paid attention to every little detail. Elisa also had two special canine children that were the apple of her eye, Tawny and Sasha. When Elisa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, she accepted the news with grace and an amazing sense of strength. She was cancer free after her mastectomy on February 14, 2008, and was proud that this day had an even more special meaning to her and her husband. Last October, when it was confirmed that the cancer returned, but was now at stage four, and in multiple areas of her body, Elisa once again faced this with courage. She never felt sorry for herself or shed any tears. Her strength was unmatched. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Eduardo and Lupe Nieto, and Jose and Amparo Quintana; and her in-laws, Jovita Espinosa, and Bob and Gloria St. Germain. Elisa is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Art Mendoza; parents, Chon and Emily Nieto; sister, Lydia Martinez and her husband Fernando, and their son Adrian; sister, Patricia Bayer and her husband Coburn, and their son Derek; and her in-laws, David and Mary Mendoza. She had numerous extended family members, friends, and colleagues that will miss her dearly. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 5770 N. Moroa Ave., Fresno, CA 93704, on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. A Time of Fellowship will be held at University Piccadilly Inn, 4961 N Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93726, immediatly following the Funeral Mass. Condolences may be offered by visiting www.yostandwebb.com YOST & WEBB FUNERAL HOME 1002 'T' Street Fresno, California (559) 237-4147