It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Elena Cardenas. Elena, 84, passed away peacefully in her home on June 18, 2023, in Blythe California.

Elena, the eldest of four siblings, was fondly known as "La Guera" to all who knew her. She was born on August 18, 1938, in Valtierrilla, Guanajuato, Mexico to Ramon and Jesus Sanchez (Plaza).  Elena immigrated to the United States in 1965 and proudly became a Naturalized United States Citizen on October 11, 1991 in Los Angeles, California.

She was married to the love of her life, Sebastian Cardenas for 65 years until Sebastian's passing in 2017. Elena, always being a hard and honest working woman, moved to the Palo Verde Valley and worked with various agricultural farming companies as a laborer and eventually as a work crew foreman for approximately 34 years before retiring.

Elena and Sebastian raised 7 children, 19 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. She always enjoyed working in the outdoors. She taught all of her children the value of working hard and to have faith in God. She was a very devoted member of her church. She was a great example to family and friends and was one of the original members of the Primera Iglesia Bautista in Blythe along with her late husband Sebastian. She was very active in all of her church functions and was always willing to help and provide assistance to those in need. Elena loved to read her Bible and enjoyed praying for and with others.

Elena loved nothing better than spending time with, and cooking for her family, friends and all of her neighbors. She delighted in family gatherings, including birthdays and all holidays. She was a great life teacher to all of her children and grandchildren. Elena was the corner stone and matriarch of her family. She was very outgoing and always strived to have a positive attitude. Her smile would light up a room the minute she made her presence known. She always strived to teach her family God's grace and love.

Elena's love of life, great attitude and her loving smile and laughter will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Elena is survived by her daughters Esther Ramirez (Gildardo) of Blythe, CA, Estela Arcega (Jose) of Yuma, AZ, Diana Lopez (Victor) of Blythe, Ca, Irene Santoscoy (Carlos) of Waddell, AZ and son Mario Cardenas (Victoria) of Tucson, AZ.

Elena is preceded in death by her husband Sebastian Cardenas, her son Alberto Cardenas, her daughter Angelica Cardenas, her grandson Gildardo Ramirez Jr., her brother Ignacio Sanchez and her parents Ramon and Jesus Sanchez.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, July 07, 2023 at the Primera Iglesia Bautista, 473 N Solano Ave, Blythe, California, 92225.

Interment will follow at the Palo Verde Cemetery immediately after the celebration of life.