Obituary of Elena I. Garrido

Elena I. Garrido, a resident of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Friday, November 15, 2013 at The Pines at Poughkeepsie. She was 97. Daughter of the late Manuel and Rosa Peña Garrido, she was born January 1, 1916 in Panama. She came to the United States in 1944. She returned to Panama in 1968 where she continued her teaching career. She taught both Spanish and English in Panama. After her retirement, she returned to the United States in 1984. Elena volunteered teaching Spanish at Wappingers Senior Center and through the adult education classes in the Wappingers Central School District. Elena was proud of her Panamanian heritage, dressing in traditional costumes especially at holidays. She was known for her arroz con pollo, a recipe that could never be exactly duplicated. Elena was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls and proud that she had crocheted an altar covering. In her 80's she took up oil painting and has left a wonderful legacy of paintings to her family and friends. She was very social and enjoyed her time spent at the Wappingers Senior Center. She is survived by her children, Alfred Passano and his wife, Jill of Wappingers Falls, Alex Passano of Coram, Long Island and Betty Passaro of Ringwood, New Jersey; her ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends on Monday, November 18, 2013 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19 at St. Mary's Church, 11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in Wappingers Rural Cemetery, West Main Street, Wappingers Falls. To send the family a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.