Elvia Pena Olivarri

Elvia Peña Olivarri, age 76, passed away suddenly on October 25, 2024. She was the daughter of Manuel Peña and Margaret Perez Peña, and was born on April 12, 1948, in San Antonio, Texas, where she lived throughout her lifetime. Her father proudly served in the US Navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed, he received a Purple Heart for his service there. He later worked for the US Post Office and retired from that position. Her mother was a homemaker and cared for the family without having to work outside the home, a blessing for her and the children.
A loving and devoted single mother, Elvia was known for her unwavering faith and her love of sharing the message of Jesus. Her greatest joy in life were her two sons, Jason and Richard, whom she cherished and nurtured with boundless love and dedication. When asked how she managed to raise two boys on her own, she humbly responded, "I am nothing, God did it all."
Elvia's life was marked by sacrifice and strength. She dedicated herself to ensuring her sons were well cared for, often going above and beyond to make sure they never lacked for anything. Her passions extended beyond her family, she enjoyed attending church at Cornerstone, being a "Prayer Warrior" on the prayer team, jewelry making, shopping at thrift stores, tending to her plants, and finding joy in laughter through the comedy of Jeff Dunham and episodes of "The Big Bang Theory".
Elvia began her career as a Senior Secretary for the City of San Antonio's Mayor, Lila Cockrell, and through hard work and determination, advanced to become the City of San Antonio's Recycling Coordinator, a role from which she eventually retired. She prided herself in teaching San Antonio residents Recycling Programs, and how to protect the environment with energy and water conservation.
She also loved to travel, particularly to Hawaii, which she visited on extended stays for at least four times. As the City's Recycling Coordinator, she attended conferences in various cities, including Denver, Colorado, where she met a Hawaiian gentleman by the name of "Wes". Wes later showed Elvia and her boys, Jason and Richard, all around the island of Maui and introduced them to his culture of "living off the land" fishing from the ocean and eating fruits from the local trees.
A proud supporter of her sons' interests, Elvia often funded their trips to local Comic Conventions, fostering their passions and creating cherished memories.
Elvia is survived by her sister, Rosie Galaviz; her brothers, Roland and Manuel Peña; her beloved sons, Jason and Richard Olivarri; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. She will be deeply missed but remembered always for her loving heart, her laughter, and her steadfast faith.