Maria Elba Godoy

Maria Elba Godoy, née Deleon, passed away peacefully in her home in Bell, CA at the age of 73. Maria Elba was born in Santa Tecla, El Salvador where she enjoyed a childhood that helped form virtuous qualities of her character such as a strong work ethic she learned from her father, the caring ways of her grandmother, and a firm faith in God she would carry throughout her life until the day she left this earth to meet her Lord and Savior. 

Maria Elba moved to Los Angeles, CA as a teen in the mid '60s with dreams of pursuing the opportunities of education. She initially made her home in Hollywood in a time and place bustling with vibrant culture well-suited for her intrinsic love of life and people. She completed her high school studies at Beverly Hills High and a few years later met her future husband, Manuel Jose Godoy, at The All American Burger on Sunset Blvd. They married in the late 70s and began raising a family with their first daughter and, by the early 80s, completed their family with two more. They eventually moved to the suburbs of Bell but enjoyed continued visits to Hollywood with their daughters, delighting them in their favorite eateries, shops, and landmarks. 

In her role as a devoted wife and mother, Maria Elba absolutely shined. She had a truly maternal heart providing her daughters with all she could especially valuable life lessons and the enduring example of being an honorable woman of faith. She continued her education as a working mother and graduated from Bryman College as a Medical Assistant which allowed her to extend her kindness and care to her patients for several years. As her daughters grew and married, Maria Elba would eventually be blessed with the joy of five grandchildren she loved dearly and indulged them with special treats, gifts, and especially fun moments spent together. 

Even more so than her admirable accomplishments, Maria Elba will be remembered for her many talents, the bright spark of life she embodied, and her loving ways, most of all. She had a friendly personality and great sense of humor that naturally drew people to her. She enjoyed creative pursuits such as crafts, sewing, making repujado art, and especially cooking which she was exceptionally skilled at and spoiled her loved ones with many culinary delights. She had a sweet tooth all her children and grandchildren inherited, and loved shopping especially if it was to buy a gift for a loved one. She was very proud of her Salvadoran roots but wholly embraced her adopted nationality as an American citizen and instilled a love of God and country in her children. Maria Elba liked to enjoy the best life had to offer including good music, travel, and especially time spent with her family. She was fiercely protective of her loved ones but had a genuinely kind-hearted nature that embodied the Golden Rule of treating others well and would often share the Spanish expression "Hoy por ti, mañana por mi" reminding us of the ripple effect acts of goodness can have. 

Maria Elba is survived by her husband, Manuel Jose; her three daughters, Karla, Jennifer, and Stephanie; her son-in-laws, Alex, Adam, and Andrew; and her beloved grandchildren, Ethan, Lauren, Luke, Dean, and Julia as well as many dear extended family members and friends. A memorial service will be held in her honor on December 28, 2023 at White Emerson Mortuary in Whittier, CA for close family and friends. For those who wish to express sympathy, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Maria Elba's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charity she supported compassionately for many years which speaks of the generous spirit she will be fondly remembered for and dearly missed. Her family takes comfort in knowing the faith she held devotedly in life will reunite them one day in the kingdom of heaven.