Elvia Leyva

On Sunday, October 9, 2016, Elvia Leyva surrounded by the love and care of her family passed away peacefully in Sacramento, CA. She was born on August 24, 1937 in Penjamillo, Michoacan, and it was there as a young girl that she met her husband Luis Leyva, whom she married in 1955. In 1957, they came to Stockton, CA to start their lives in the U.S.A. Luis worked hard in the restaurant industry to provide for his family. His wife, Elvia knew he was destined to do more and be his own boss. With her encouragement and support, they moved to Sacramento to open what became the famous Luis's Mexican Food, Incorporated. For 40 years, it was the destination spot for special dates, family events, and always great food! Elvia and Luis were blessed with five children Luis, Jr. (Sharilyn), Maria Guadalupe (Eduardo), Leticia (Salvador), Elvia, and Silvia, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. A close-knit family, it was not uncommon to eat meals together several times a week. Restaurant hosts often asked what the special occasion was for such a large group, and their answer, "Dinner." Elvia was a great story-teller, and had a wonderful laugh. Both gifts that she passed on to her children. She loved to sing, and used to accompany her husband to many community events where she would be asked to join the mariachi on stage. In later years, as a savvy Apple product user, she would plug in her Iphone or Ipad, and sing as she cooked in the kitchen. Elvia was a great cook! No matter how large the batch she made, one could not get enough of her Mexican rice! Only she could make meals for more than 20 family members and friends on any given day, make it seem effortless, and always with perfect coiffed hair. Elvia was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was small in stature, but her presence and personality larger than life. We loved her and she will be missed by us all. We are happy that she is reuniting with her husband and our father, Luis again in heaven, where we know they are hosting big family parties and sharing their laughter with each other again. Services will be held at St. Mary's Church located at 1333 58th Street, Sacramento, CA. The rosary is on Thursday, October 13th at 7 p.m. Mass will be on Friday, October 14th at 11:30 a.m. Following Mass, we will travel to St. Mary's Cemetery to bless her final resting place.