Elena Huizar

A kind and gentle soul, Elena Huizar, 72, of Yakima, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on August 24, 2018. She was born to the late Maximo Garcia and Elena Martinez Garcia on October 6, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. To say that Elena was a nice person would be an understatement. Those who had the pleasure of knowing her would no doubt say she was the sweetest, sincerest person they ever met. She would never wish ill-will on anyone, despite how they may have treated her. Regardless, Elena treated everyone with kindness, honesty, and forgiveness. She would give most unselfishly, never asking for anything in return, and always keeping her word. In 1966, Elena married the love of her life, Antonio Paredes Huizar, and after moving from Texas, the couple settled in the Yakima Valley. Not only did she maintain a seven-person household, she also made some of the children's clothing with her trusty Singer sewing machine, and always made time to volunteer at their schools. There was never a celebration at school that didn't include her delicious homemade cupcakes. Despite her hectic schedule raising five children, family and spirituality were Elena's passions. A loving mother, grandmother, and homemaker, Elena was a remarkable cook and baker, who enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, most especially over the holidays. For many years leading up to her passing, she collected a library of cookbooks and recipes from around the world. She loved to watch cooking programs during her spare time that wasn't spent reading her Bible. In every Christian family there is someone who everyone asks to pray for them, someone who the family feels is higher on the prayer chain. Elena was that person for her family. If there was a need, a call for help or health, Elena would pray. She would pray for the problem, pray for the solution, and pray for peace throughout it all. She was a guiding-light for her children, always teaching them with prayer all is possible. A new job, a struggling relationship, a difficult decision, all resolved through Elena's prayers. She was amazing in that way, and those who were honored with her presence, are living testimony to the peacefulness her very existence brought to a room. Some people are talked about as lighting up a room. Elena brought peace to every room she entered. If there was a struggle, a problem, a challenge, it was calmed merely by her presence. A lover of books, Elena traveled the globe, solved mysteries, and had countless adventures through literature. Never traveling abroad, herself, she explored and experienced through stories and in doing so gave the love of reading to her five children. While devising inexpensive ways to entertain a rowdy group of kids each summer, she took them to the library. Every Saturday, they would pour over new selections and she had each of them tell her about the books they finished. To this day, her children all enjoy the written word, a testament to Elena's undeniable legacy. Elena was deeply loved by her family and friends, and she will be greatly missed. The world is a sadder place without her. Elena was preceded by her loving husband of 47 years, Antonio, four sisters and four brothers, all of Texas. She is survived by three brothers, Gilbert Garcia, Joe Garcia, and Ramon Garcia; two sisters Guadalupe Levine and Angelita Gomez; her son Antonio Huizar, daughters Elena Huizar, Antonette (Silvestre) Guerrero, Amy (Rafael) Cardenas, Eve Huizar, and Misty Soliz. She is also survived by 12 loving grandchildren; Pedro, Jasmine, Jessica, Biankah, Antonio III, Daniel, Sofiah, Sebastian, Elena, Alex, Julie, and William. Her daughter, Antonette, lovingly cared for her in the last four years of her life. She cared for her around the clock, putting her needs above all else. The family gives her and everyone else who cared for Elena, their greatest and warmest gratitude. A special thank you to Virginia Mason Home Health and Hospice for their loving care and support. Also thank you to Valley Hills Funeral Home for all of the arrangements. Funeral services for Elena will be at House of Grace Missionary Church on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 2 p.m. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elena Huizar, please visit our flower store.