Eloise Alvarez

Eloise Alvarez (nee Vela), a long-time resident of Moses Lake, Wash., passed away quietly in her sleep Oct. 16, 2024, at the age of 92.  

Born in Harlingen, Texas, Eloise and Frank, her beloved husband of 74 years, moved to Moses Lake in 1962 and raised their six kids in the Moses Lake School District.  

Eloise made her mark in the community through a variety of activities. She worked at Samaritan Hospital, where she helped birth multiple generations of Moses Lake residents. She worked for the MLSD for many years, was a member of the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees, was active in the Business & Professional Women's organization, and served as an English/Spanish interpreter in the court system and in the medical field. She also taught cooking and defensive driving classes. In retirement, she volunteered with AARP, helping Moses Lake residents with their annual taxes.  

Eloise never hesitated to lend a helping hand and relished feeding anyone who stopped to visit at her home. She was a natural storyteller and an amazing historian, remembering the smallest of details.  

She is survived by her brother, Gregory Vela, daughter Beatrice Senn (Steve), daughter Alma Alvarez-Smith, son Fernando Alvarez (Rena), son-in-law David Gent, daughter-in-law Cindy Kehl and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank D. Alvarez, son Frank V. Alvarez, daughter Sophia Love, daughter Elsa Alvarez, brother Clyde Vela and his wife, Carol, brother Simon Vela and his wife, Alice, sister Eva Balli and her husband, Pete, sister Frances Ramarui and her husband, Felix.   

Eloise loved her adopted Moses Lake community and all the wonderful friends she made over the years. She will be remembered for her kindness, good cooking, hard work ethic, determination and captivating storytelling.  

A joint service of remembrance for Eloise and Frank will be held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Moses Lake in spring 2025.