July 6, 1930 – June 7, 2019
Our sweet, dear and beloved Mother, Elvira Del Toro, returned to her heavenly Father on June 7, 2019, at the age of 88 years in St. George, Utah, surrounded by her loving children, family and friends.
Words cannot express the love and respect we have for our angel Mother, and we are forever indebted to her for the many sacrifices she made for us to be who we are today. Not a single day or moment will go by where she won’t be remembered, revered and missed by all. Her legacy will live on forever.
Our Mother was born July 6, 1930, in Mexico City, DF., to Susana Mendez Leal and Fernando Ruiz Caamaño. As a young mother, she was taught the gospel by the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico and was converted to the gospel. She was an active member of the church from that moment forward and endeavored to follow the teachings of the savior throughout her life. She especially exemplified the savior’s admonition to “love one another.” People were drawn to the unconditional love she emanated, and they loved to be around her.
Mom counted it a great blessing to live in the United States. Upon her arrival to this country, she set about learning the basic words she would need to get by. Once she settled in St. George, she enrolled in English as a Second Language at Dixie College and was very proud of her certificate of completion. Years later, she studied for and prepared to take her citizenship exam. She was so happy when she passed the test and was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.
Our incredible Mother raised seven children on her own, working several jobs to put food on the table. After a hard day of work, being extremely tired, she would come home to cook, clean and nurture, never complaining about how exhausted she was.
Mom loved her children passionately and unconditionally. She instilled in all of us the value of hard work. She never used the very difficult circumstances she experienced in her life as an excuse and excelled as a Mother to her seven children. It was an honor to be raised by this incredible daughter of God, and we look forward to the day when we can embrace her once again and live together as an eternal family. We will always be indebted for the sacrifices she made for us and for her posterity.
Our kind Mother will dearly be remembered as Grammy, Gams, Gramalitas … names lovingly given by her grandchildren.
Mom is survived by her children: Silvia Cardon (Gene), Arturo Del Toro (Diane), George Del Toro, Oscar Del Toro (Bernice), Norma McPhie (Joseph), and Edward Del Toro (Melanie). She is also survived by 29 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren.
Mom was preceded in death by her eldest son Fernando, her granddaughter-in-law Jackie Lambourne Del Toro, and twin great-grandchildren, Sawyer Scott Foote and Rowen William Foote, with whom she is reunited once again.
Our eternal gratitude to the magnificent staff from Sun Tree Hospice and Seasons Health and Rehab for the excellent care of our Mother: Halee, McKenna, Jenni, Kay, Tami, Michelle, Dr. Chamberlain, PA Lott, Laura Carver and all others that cared for Mom in such a tender and loving manner.
Funeral services
- Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, at the St. George City Cemetery, 650 E. Tabernacle, St. George, Utah.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughes Mortuary.
For complete funeral listings, obituaries and condolences please visit Hughes Mortuary online.