Elsie Lara Cortez was born April 10, 1945, to Alfred and Rose Lara. She received her angel wings on December 3, 2020. She was patiently waiting to be in the arms of her loved ones in Heaven: grandson Mikey, sons Gibby and David, her parents, and her brother Alfred.

As we grieve the loss of a wonderful daughter, wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend, she leaves her legacy of faith, hope, and love to her family and loved ones. She was a faithful and courageous woman to her loving husband Virgil Cortez, sons Richie, Michael, Gibby, and David Terrones, and Virgil and Yoli Cortez. One of her greatest blessings was spending time with her grandkids Mikey, Zack, Brianna, Cooper, Hunter Grant, Diego, Nico, Juju and Luke Terrones, Virgil, Vincent, Ruben, and Lovey Cortez; grand grandkids Julianna, Gabriella, Vida, Avyanna, Leila, Jordyn, Havana, Uziel, Makenzie, and Cooper Jr.

Born and raised in Lompoc by loving and hardworking parents, Elsie also became loving and hardworking in everything she did. She was taught her amazing cooking and baking skills from her mother and her remarkable loyalty from her father. She was very wise and always loved to make sure everyone was well taken care of. She was the best daughter and caregiver her parents could ever ask for.

Elsie's heart was her home and anywhere she went she made you feel welcomed and loved. The family gatherings were always at her house, and you would leave five pounds heavier because you couldn't just have one plate or one bowl of Menudo. We knew after any celebration we were going to her home the next day for Menudo, SOS, and doughnuts.

She always made sure to cherish the time spent with everyone; whether it was vacationing with Virgil, her trip to New York with Richie, or camping with Michael, she made everyone's time enjoyable. Her loving touch gave the best pedicures, adventures to the beach, dinner dates with Virgil, and shopping sprees in Santa Barbara. She always enjoyed watching and cheering her children and grandchildren playing sports, and she was always so proud of all they accomplished. We will hold close and dear to our hearts all the unforgettable times we shared with her.

I took His hand when I heard God call, I turned my back and left it all. I wish I could have stayed another day to laugh, to love, and to play. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. If you close your eyes, I'm still here with you always and will live on in your heart. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, these things I sure will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you sunshine and hope of tomorrow. My life's been full, I've savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift your hearts and share your life with me. God wanted me, and now I'm free of pain.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020, at 10 am at La Purisima Catholic Church followed by burial at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. To view the service via Live Stream, go to starbucklind.com, click on "Obituaries," and click on Elsie's photo.