Dear Alvidrez Family
Miriam and Andy. The Lord comfort and cover you with his loving kindness. I was saddened to hear your Mom was ill and then that the Lord had called her home. She is now reunited with Josue, Erik and Eddie. She has met her Savior and he has given her a beautiful crown. Your Mom served the Lord with love and faithfulness plus helping so many people. Though the separation is so difficult, You have beautiful memories. The Lord sustain you as you continue to serve him faithfully. The Lord bless you and your family. ❤️

I am grateful to have known Delia – my dear cousin of 71 years. Whenever we visited she would always remind me ”You know, I’m 10 years older than you!” I regret not being able to visit Delia this very long trying past year. I cherish the memories of Delia’s warm welcoming smile when we arrived to visit her. I remember the good times we had sitting at the kitchen counter, on the high chairs, or dinning room table, sharing a cup or two (or more) of coffee, or juice, and pan dulce or a delicious meal. I remember our roaming conversations - traveling through time and space with our memories and imaginations. We would share our recollections of our trips to Mezquital, our mutual friends, our travels all over the world, our daily lives’ activities and family news. Delia was profoundly proud of her family and all of their achievements. Though Delia experienced many difficult time is her and her family's life she remained positive, optimistic, and loving. Most of all I will remember Delia’s accepting generous spirit. I am sad for Delia's passing - but grateful that her suffering has ended.
To all of her family and friends please accept our deepest condolences.
Dan & Mary Comelli

There are no words that can accurately describe how remarkable my grandma was. She was resilient in the face of trials, hardworking, generous with her time and resources, and incredibly loving. Her heart of gold was, and still is, inspiring to me. If I was ever in need of something, like a ride to school, she never hesitated to help me out. Above all else, she was the ultimate example of a godly woman. She truly loved the Lord and her life made that abundantly clear. Although I miss her dearly, I find comfort in the fact that she is now in the presence of Jesus and I will see her again one day.

To the Alvidrez and Furman family members.......

Ruth and I want to share with you our heartfelt loss of our beloved niece, Delia, who with all certainty has joined Josue, Eduardo and baby Eric in heaven. What a happy reunion for all of them.

I am forever grateful to the Lord for the privilege of a lifetime of enjoying a supportive and candid relationship with such a godly woman whose unselfish and sincere love blessed us during good and challenging times.

I have always known Delia to be a person with a spirit of truthfulness, perseverance and integrity, with an unquestionable faith in Christ throughout her life. Her love for family was second to none.

We continue to hear her voice and see her unmistakable smile which we know brought comfort and joy to those who were fortunate to be in her presence, whether a family member, co-worker, or friend.

The many unexpected interruptions that she experienced due to health issues did not dampen Delia's enthusiasm for life. In fact, these experiences strengthened her character, providing a testimony and opportunity to help others in need. Delia always placed herself in the center of God's will and sought occasions to serve Him. Living in God's presence, she saw herself through God's eyes, and not how she wished she could be. Because she was a person of good conscience and pure heart, she was always able to give and receive love.

Paraphrasing Maya Angelou, "People will forget what Delia said, people will forget what Delia did, but people will never forget how Delia made them feel". It was, in fact, her unselfish service to others that will always have an indelible impression on me.

Someone once said that "Hope" is the "thing" with feathers that perches in the soul. Not knowing when the dawn will come, I am certain that because of God's grace we will meet again.

Because of Delia's love and dedication to her Lord and her service to others, whether as wife, mother, sister, aunt, teacher, principal, or school board member, she gave her all with love. Because of this, she will live in our hearts until we see her again in Glory. 

We love you,
Paul and Ruth

Delia was a great friend of my mother’s (Emma Lazalde).  I had the joy and honor to know Delia through my mom’s friendship with her and through their work relationship at North Ranchito and ERUSD. She was a great friend and mentor. She was a brilliant educator and amazing leader. She is one of the many Latinas that made a difference in lives of 1000s of Latino children in our community.

Delia was an amazing woman. I had the privilege of not only working along side her at South Ranchito, but also worked with her son Andy and her daughter Miriam. She was a strong and gentle force. Kind and giving and how she loved her family and respected  the people and families she worked with. I remember how she endearingly called me "hija" when we spoke. What a mentor she was as she handled everything with grace, patience and tolerance. She had the best smile and her voice was always so gentle. She will be dearly missed. Vaya con Dios Senora Alvidrez. My prayers go out to her family in this very difficult time.

I was so saddened to here that my beautiful boss with a heart has passed away I have such good memories of her and so do my children Monique, Vincent, and Andrew who attended So.Ranchito. She will never be forgotten for the things she did for the students with so much care n love and now she is with my God in heaven. Till we see each other again

Delia was one of my favorite people to work with as a teacher at South Ranchito. She was genuine, caring, loving, generous, and fair. No matter what position she held, she wasn't afraid to get her hands in and help a teacher or anyone in helping to finish a lesson, a project, whatever. She never put herself above us but treated us as her equal. As a principal she baked Christmas gifts for everyone of her staff. She paid for staff breakfasts, lunches, with her own money. When my children were ready to start school, she recommended the Christian school her children attended. I sent mine there, too. We laughed, prayed, & sometimes cried together. She loved easily. " precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." I know I will see her again because we shared the same faith, trusting Jesus as our Lord & Savior. He died to pay for our sins by the shedding of his blood to give us Eternal Life. Delia is very much alive today in Heaven.

I was incredibly lucky to have met Mrs. Alvidrez when I was a student. The relationships she nurtured with students and families created an incredibly meaningful impact and we always thought of her fondly. Later, I was fortunate to interact with her as a colleague when I began my career at ERUSD. It was always such a special occasion to see her as we would reminisce and talk. I was always amazed that she remembered me and my mom. It always warmed my heart. She inspired me at such a young age and continued to provide support and encouragement as I progressed in my career. I will forever be grateful.

I have so many wonderful memories of Delia it’s hard to put into words the example she set as a Mother, Mentor/Teacher, a servant of the Lord and a friend. She was a role model for me in many ways. Growing up the Alvidrez home was always open to us, the laughter and tears shared - it all adds up to know I was blessed to have her in my life. My love and prayers to all the Alvidrez family! Miriam and Andy my prayers are with you and I can’t imagine the heavenly reunion taking place. - Nancy

I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to the Alvidrez Family. Thank you Mrs Alvidrez for your many years of leadership to the El Rancho Unified School District. You personified what it means to be a leader and many careers blossomed under guidance. You will be missed!

In previous districts, as both a student and a teacher, the school board member looms large as a figure in the community. However, when I began working at ERUSD and got to know Ms. Alvidrez, she treated me and everyone else like family. That sense of acceptance and care, no matter who you are or where you’re from. I have always treasured that and am inspired to strive towards the example she set.

A few years back, while meeting up with a friend at IHOP on Whittier Blvd. , who should be seated next to our booth but the one and only Ms. Alvidrez. Having left ERUSD already, I didn’t expect to be recognized, but the time she took to talk when I greeted her reminded me of why she’s one of a kind. Our world is a better place, and many lives are better off because of her. Rest, Señora, and thanks.

I've reflected over night about this lovely woman Delia. She was 2nd mom to some of us. Having a fabulous, loving mother this says alot about Delia. Eddie and music brought me and my friends (to this day) to her home. Rehearsing our band, making us snacks beforehand (against Eddies wishes) and much more. I grudgingly studied business for 1 1/2-2 yrs while playing gigs. I visited Delia one day explaining my love of music. Knowing how dedicated she was towards education I was certain she'd talk me out of following a musical carrier but on the contrary, she helped me decide to move foward with that choice. As a young man she was one person who's opinion mattered and I trusted. The Alvidrez family has always been dear to my heart. Thank you Miriam and Andy for sharing this opportunity with us. With love.. ❤

I first met Delia when she was 17 years old.When she married Josue,she became my "sister",not "sister-in-law".We always had so much to talk about and I enjoyed her company.I always found it easy to ask her for advice.I have an afghan on my bed because she taught me how to knit.I recently heard the following statement:"When you can,remember me with a smile and laughter,if you can only remember me with tears,then don't remember me at all." She will always be in my heart.

I first began working in El Rancho USD in 2002 and from the beginning, Delia Alvidrez was highly supportive and encouraging. She was definitely a key figure that helped me so much when I first started as a young administrator, she was full of wisdom and strength, while always representing the best interests of students - and her presence and leadership was a shining example for many of us. She was a pioneer and ahead of her time in many ways. One of my most recent memories was taking a trip with her and some others to San Diego to visit the High Tech High network, as we looked to create The STEAM Academy and begin implementing PBL, and her and I sat eating some BBQ later that day where she was sharing funny stories and making me laugh. I feel fortunate to have spent so much time around her, learning from her, and getting to know her professionally and personally. There is no doubt she will be missed, but there is also no doubt of the lasting and meaningful impact she had on so many educators and students! Much love!

I have many fond memories of Delia. Whether it be going to the house with Andy, meeting up at school board meetings, gatherings at the house for political events, or visiting South Ranchito to help my then wife who was hired by Delia to teach kindergarten, she always had a warm greeting for me. I will be forever thankful for her hiring my wife (at the time), and for all she did in ERUSD.   Thank you Delia, may you rest in peace in heaven.

There’s been a common theme that I’ve noticed since my mom left us. Many of us have found it extremely difficult to sum up who my mom was… we all have found it difficult to give justice to who she was. There just doesn’t seem to be enough words. It’s funny, as kids or even as adult children it’s easy to miss who our parents are and what impact they have on the world. After All… We know them as mom and dad not anything else. It’s what we grew up with, it’s what we think all parents are like. It’s not until later that we really see who they are and what they’ve meant to others. It’s not until later we realize how high a bar she set. It’s what we expect as the norm. I mean… aren’t all mom’s like this?

But when you grow up with a mom like this, you sometimes miss that what is the norm for you is not the norm at all. My mom was so many things to so many people. In the days after she left us there was a never ending stream of people who passed on their feelings about what she meant to them. Some were around all the time, like extended family and some were impacted decades ago and that influence guided the rest of their lives.

My mom taught us many things. Many of the stories are very well known.
Coming to America at 17, Married by 19. Learning English, giving birth to 4 children. Having to suffer through losing two of her children. Getting multiple college degrees while raising three kids, pushing through illnesses and injuries, becoming a parent volunteer, an instructional aide, a classroom teacher, fighting for the rights of students to be taught in their primary language when that was not only a “new” thing some even fought against it. She was a mentor teacher, a resource teacher, a principal. While a principal she had to go through my dad’s fight with leukemia and then losing him just as they were planning out their retirement. If that isn’t enough she filled a vacancy on the school board for the district that she loved and had to undergo the ugly world of politics.

My mom taught us many things. I think the most important lesson was that we should persevere. It wasn’t an option. Nothing was impossible if we put our minds and hearts into it. I often remember how as a boy I would see her studying late into the night, and when I got up in the morning she was still sitting in the same spot finishing some assignment. She applied that same tenacity as she worked hard at teaching her students, she worked hard at helping others be good teachers and she worked hard at making her school a model school. She instilled in all of us the idea that getting an education was not an option, it was a must. Even in the Army, she’d always ask me was it possible to take classes at the local university and if so…. Was I?

It’s a testament to her that all her kids finished college and all of her grandchildren either did or are in the process of it. She also pushed that ideal on every child she met. I mean everyone. So many people today have reached out to tell me that they credit her for pushing them to finish school that it wasn’t only that she encouraged them, they credit her for actually having gotten where they are. She was a second mom to so many people.

As kids we were all taught that we needed to give to others, to give support to those in need, to share our beliefs and to do it all at the same time. She along with my Dad set the example of spreading her love of God and her Savior Jesus Christ. My mom was a founding member of our church and the missions along the border with Mexico. We were taught to not look down on those who had less than us but that we had a duty to help them better their lives. Our monthly trips to the Ejido of Mezquital became just another norm in the example our mom set. We learned that family is more than blood as they shared their love of God. We and those in the Ejido all grew up together and they helped many, taking them into our home. Her love of others was not only shared through education and service to the community but also extended across borders. Now… those same families are part of our larger family.

One thing some don’t know or realize is that mom was an adventurous spirit. Nothing could hold her back. She thought nothing of piling the station wagon full of kids and driving alone either 280 miles to Mezquital or 800 miles to the ranch in Mexico or… anywhere else. She took pride in being able to handle the bunch of us. The larger the group the better. If my dad had to be at work… She wouldn’t let that get in the way of what she wanted to do. She’d load us up in the motorhome and take us to the mountains, the beach, or anywhere else she wanted us to go. She took on any task with equal tenacity. She loved to decorate the house regardless of what it took to make it happen. She once climbed up a pine tree with a butcher knife in hand to get the right looking pine cone for the christmas decorations. I remember this event because she came through the sliding door with one hand cut open and the knife and pine cone in the other. She looked at me and said, “I got the pine cone.” She took this same energy to the next level when on the ranch in Mexico she pulled a BB rifle on a man because she thought he was a threat. When I reminded her it was a BB gun she calmly looked at me and said, “he doesn’t know that”.

Throughout her life she didn’t let anything stop her from doing the right thing and her love for us all was never ending. Her home was always open and all my life there was a never ending stream of people she and my dad helped out by letting them live there. I could bloviate all day long on what my mom meant to me but I think I’ll leave it at this

My mom’s legacy continues.....

I have tried and failed to put into words just how much my grandmother means to me (and so many others). She has left behind such an amazing legacy of perseverance and love that it is overwhelming to see just how many people she touched in her lifetime. Grandma was always someone that I could rely on to listen and give advice, even if I didn't want to hear it BUT she was always one of my biggest supporters. Every time I had a big life event occur graduation, engagement, wedding, etc) she made sure she was there for it and helped out in any way she could. Whenever i would go see her she was forever sneaking cash "just in case" into my purse or sometimes my luggage! Don't get me started on the baskets of food she would send off with me to eat while I was driving even if I was alone and there was enough food for 20 people . She taught us all to always make room at the table for those who need our help and our love. To give as much as we can and to not expect any kind of return. She also taught us and pushed us to educate ourselves and pursue a meaningful career.

My favorite memories of her will always be those late night coffee sessions where we would both just sit and drink coffee and chat about whatever floated into our brains. Inevitably she would ALWAYS end up cooking a "little" meal because no one could feel hungry in her home or her presence. I hope one day I can be even half the woman she was and is.

I am one of the many profoundly affected by Mrs. Alvidrez, some four decades and more ago, as beautifully described below by Andrew. She was one of the most important influences in my life. She and her family had a profound effect on me as a kid and a young adult. I would not be where I am today without them. I've thought about her regularly my entire adult life. I grieve for her children and all those who loved her. May her many, many memories be a blessing to them all

Tia Delia!
Siempre recordaré su casa hermosa, siempre llena de familiares o amigos. Una mujer muy sociable que se daba a los demás, desde su distrito escolar, del cual es recordada con honores; hasta los más cercanos, su familia que ha dejado una huella en cada uno incluso en mi como añadida. Nunca olvidaré esos abrazos apretados y el beso con un Cómo estas, que realmente se sentía que salía del corazón. Doy gracias a Dios por permitirme conocer y convivir con ella. Hasta pronto hermosa mujer de Dios.
Con amor
Yajaira