Elba Lillian Navarro 1945-2024

Elba was born April 8, 1945, in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, a daughter of Julio Fuentes and Rosa Rentas.

She came to the Youngstown area in the late 1940s as a child. She was a 1963 graduate of South High School and right after high school, she went to beauty school.

Elba married the love of her life, Flor “Shorty” Navarro, on Aug. 28, 1965, at Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Youngstown. They were married for 59 years.

Her dream was always to become a teacher. She fulfilled this dream by graduating from Youngstown State University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Spanish and education. She taught in the Youngstown City Schools at Roosevelt Elementary and Chaney High School for 30 years. She was given the Class Act Award from Channel 21, for which you had to be nominated by a student. She was also awarded the Martha Holden Jennings Educator Award.

After her retirement, she volunteered at her church as an usher and greeter. She was also on many fundraising committees for OCCHA, a social service agency. Her favorite was the annual OCCHA Gala.

Together with her husband, Shorty, they are great ” Friends of the University,” having been given this honor in 2014. They have a business and education scholarship at YSU, as well as scholarships for Hispanic students. Elba was also a member of Easter Seals, Akron Children’s Kids Crew, AARP Canfield Chapter and OCCHA.

Elba was of the Catholic faith and a long-time member of Santa Rosa de Lima until its closing, later attending many of the area Catholic churches on Sundays.

She enjoyed reading, going shopping and spending summers at their lake home entertaining friends. She especially enjoyed going to lunch with her friends.

Elba will be deeply missed and always remembered by her husband, Shorty; her sister, Nereida “Rita” Lopez of Florida; her cousins, Aida, Henry, Nancy, Luis and Migdalia; and many nieces and nephews whom she deeply loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marvia Alicia Jusino and Hilda Torres; and a nephew, Edwin Torres.

The Navarro family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell. In keeping with Elba’s wishes, services were private.

Entombment took place in Lake Park Cemetery.

The Navarro family would like to thank the aides and nurses from Care Builders, the doctors and nurses at Mercy Health ICU, Blood and Cancer Center, and her family and friends for their compassionate and loving care.

Donations can be made in Elba’s memory to OCCHA, Children’s Programs 3660 Shirley Road, Youngstown, OH 44502.

Please visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary and to leave condolences with the family.

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