Elida "Lela" Silva Donato, age 88, was called home to our Lord on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. She was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 18, 1931, to Pedro and Juanita Silva, and was known as the matriarch of our family. She married Ramon Donato on December 15, 1948 and together they had eight children.

Among many other qualities and gifts, our Grandma is remembered especially for her crafting skills, homemade meals, and unconditional love. For instance, her handmade Easter cascarones, shredded confetti, woven palm creations, and ribbon roses were what family and her dedicated customers looked forward to every year. Additionally, she enjoyed sewing aprons for her family members. For nearly 15 years, our Grandma would sell at the Poteet Flea Market; in many ways, she was an entrepreneur.

Her family could not get enough of her homemade, delicious tortillas, and flour "gorditas" filled with butter. In addition, some meals could only be eaten if they were "made by Grandma," simply because none could top hers, such as carne guisada, bacon and gravy, papas and egg, chicken salad, Thanksgiving gravy and stuffing, and New Year's Eve menudo. Aside from her cooking, she was a fan of Olive Garden's soup, salad, and chicken alfredo, and Los Valles' chicken gorditas and mangonadas.

Often, you could find our Grandma sitting outside on the swing, catching up with her neighbor or visiting family. Her heart was the happiest when she was surrounded by those she loved; nothing could beat spending time with her family.

A day before her passing, she expressed she was going home, "Ya me voy con Dios." Though she will be deeply missed, it gives us peace that our Grandma is in a place that knows no suffering. She is what many of us aspire to be in her strength, faith, and unconditional love.

We are especially grateful for Angelica Robledo, Rene Donato, Henry Meza, and Marcela Ocura (caregiver) for the special care they gave our Grandma during the past five months.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband (Ramon Donato); daughter (Lucia Aranda); son (Jesse Silva Donato); granddaughter and grandson (Rebecca Aranda Guerrero and Raul Guerrero); sisters (Felicitas Leyva, Maria Magdalena Gonzales); brothers (Juan, Arturo Silva).

Elida is survived by her sons: Raymond, Richard, David (Maria), Armando, and Rene Donato (Henry); daughter: Grace Robledo (Miguel); grandchildren: Richard Aranda Jr. (Angie), Mary Lou Bueno (Lupe), Melinda Sanchez (Isai), Lisa Martinez (Mark); Raymond David (Edith), Eric Donato (Krystal); Darlene Uribe (Richard), David Jr., Daniel, Daisy Donato; Michelle Flores, Richard Jr., Ruben Donato (June); Angelica, Michael (Amanda), and Angelina Robledo; 37 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Rosaura Silva, Henrieta Felan, Esperanza Muniz, Olivia Morales (Ray); brother: Marcelino Silva (Patricia); brother-in-law: Julian Donato (Naomi); and numerous, loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation services are Wednesday, June 3 from 12:00-4:00 PM and Thursday, June 4 from 12:00-3:00 PM at Castillo Mission Funeral Home (520 N General McMullen Drive). On Friday, June 5, the funeral procession departs the funeral home at 9:30 AM, followed by Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 AM. The funeral procession will then pass by our Grandma's house before being interred with her son, Jesse, at San Fernando Cemetery III (1735 Cupples Road).

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the funeral home and church, the Holy Rosary and the Mass will be recited and celebrated, respectively, with immediate family members only.