Elizabeth Chave-Esquivel Brinkerhoff

Elizabeth (Chave) Esquivel-Brinkerhoff Born 5/1/1930 in Alvin Tx to Theodoro and Ignacia Esquivel in their Alvin home. Elizabeth was #9 of 10 children. She is survived by her sister Emma Blair, her granddaughter Brandi Mathews (Brinkerhoff), her grandson Antonio Brinkerhoff, and her great-grandson Michael McDonnold III and many nieces, nephews and countless relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents Theodoro & Ignacia Esquivel; her son, Carlos Brinkerhoff, her husband Melvin E Brinkerhoff, her sisters; Dora Velasco, Louisa Vera, Lupe Villenueva, & Odelle Esquivel, her brothers; Petronilo (Nilo) Esquivel, Joe (Che-che) Esquivel, Emilio Esquivel & Alex Esquivel.

She graduated from Alvin High School in 1947 early at the age of 16; where she was member of the National Honors Society. She won Miss Charro Queen at the Charro Days Festival in Brownsville, Tx in August of 1952 while living in Brownsville, TX, working as a secretary.

She moved to Mexico City with her Aunt Isabel shortly after winning Miss Charro. Where she met her husband Melvin and they married on November 5, 1957, in Alvin, TX @ the First Presbyterian Church. They made their home in Mexico City, Mexico while her husband worked for Eastman Kodak. Her son Carlos was born Sept. of 1959. They lived in Mexico City for a short time before moving to Panama City, Panama till 1977 when they settled back in Alvin, TX. Her and her husband stayed busy running Park Plaza apartments from the time they came back to Alvin until 2002 when she finally decided to retire. However, that did not stop her from keeping busy. You could almost always find her at Alvin Glass & Mirrors running the office and even cutting glass when the need arose. She loved to sit and chat about the happenings in her little old town of Alvin with anyone who wanted to know some of its history.

Elizabeth always had a helping hand to lend, and ear to listen and advice to give (although sometimes unsolicited). She never met an enemy. Not only was she business saavy and very cultured but she loved enjoying time with family showcasing the finer things in life. You could often find her enjoying eating food and drinking margaritas at her local Mexican restaurants. She also helped so many fellow immigrants of Mexico obtain their citizenship and be a productive contributing member of society. All while caring for many members of her family, members of the Alvin community & by helping several council members through the years become elected and encouraging the Hispanic community of Alvin go out to vote, allowing their voice to be heard. At times being a force to be reckoned with always ensuring everyone from every background was treated fairly.

Elizabeth's love for the Lord was ever present in her life. Growing up attending the Iglesia next door to her childhood home on Ave E & then the First Presbyterian Church of Alvin where she was an active member.

At Elizabeth's request there will be no memorial services. As she quotes "I have been to enough funerals in my life to count. I do not want people crying over my body. I want people to celebrate the wonderful, blessed life I was allowed to live. I want people to rejoice in the fact I am home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Even throughout her battle with Dementia as her memories faded away the one thing she NEVER forgot was that Jesus is Lord and He is good to us! So, in her memory we ask that you take the time to cherish your families, live in the moment, always remember to do what is right, treat others well and never forget the Lord is good to us. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to or volunteer at your local nursing home or The Alzheimer's Foundation https://donorservices.alz.org/.