Elodia Ortega Mendoza

Our beloved mother, Elodia Ortega Mendoza, passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born in El Paso, Texas, on June 12, 1950, and filled her life with love. To everyone who knew her, she was Grandma Loy — her door was always open, and her heart even more so. She put others before herself, always, asking nothing in return. For 20 years, Elodia worked at Region 19 Headstart, where she formed friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Elodia is survived by her four children: Monica Blanco (Guillermo), Manuel Mendoza, Jr. (Monica), Veronica Rivera (Ray), and Vanessa Mendoza (Kemmie Miller). Though she and her former husband, Manuel Mendoza, Sr., divorced, they remained close friends and always made sure the family was taken care of. She is also survived by her siblings: Tomas Ortega, Jr. (Sylvia), Daniel Ortega, Nancy Ortega, and Amelia Ortega.

She was preceded in death by her great-granddaughter Jaelynn Zamarron; her brother Freddy Ortega; her sister Mary Ortega; and her parents, Tomas and Petra Ortega.

Elodia was a beloved grandmother to 12 grandchildren: Stephanie Garcia, Krystal Garcia, Naomi Garcia, Guillermo Garcia, Jr., Breezy Mendoza, Avante Miller, Jesus Rivera, Carissa Mendoza, Hunny Rivera, Ava Mendoza, Ezekiel Rivera, and Gabriel Mendoza.

Elodia was also a cherished great-grandmother to 6 great-grandchildren: AJ Zamarron, Jaelynn Zamarron, Max Zamarron, Aubree Marquez, Eva Yanez, and Avani Miller.