Elaine J. Ribali

On the snowy peaceful morning of January 25, 2025, Elaine J Ribali passed away in the comfort of her home and in the care of her familia. She lived 72 full and fabulous years in Denver. She is survived by her daughters Leticia, Chelin, Camila (Billy), and Celestina (Jose), her cherished grandchildren; Michael, Dominic (Michaela), Adrian (Marisha), Marisa (Rece), Isiah, Marcelo, Ezra and Elias, and her husband Anthony.

Elaine was born on December 16, 1952, the daughter of Lillian Sanchez and Joseph Gonzales. When she gracefully left our physical world she was greeted by her father and reunited with her mother, who had passed when Elaine was a little girl.

Elaine was a warrior for justice. She was passionate about educating the community’s Chicano and Latino youth in their journey of self-discovery and self-determination. And she would be her family’s greatest teacher. She taught her family to love and show up for one another, for friends and for the community.

Alongside full-time work, Elaine ran a successful Mary Kay consultant business for over 25 years and found a lot of joy in helping others feel their best. She was an empathetic connector and had an enormous circle of relationships as a result of giving of herself.

She celebrated life to its fullest inviting adventure and travel, dance and music, art and beauty. She cheered loudly and proudly for those around her and also cheered (and helped coach from the stands) her beloved Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets.

Elaine’s spirit and generosity were much too profound to be captured in a few paragraphs, so familia, friends and relatives, hold tight to the comfort and joy in the life, laughter, tears and togetherness shared with Elaine, just as she would want. ¡Que Viva!

Un Fiesta de la Vida will be held March 21, 2025 from 12:00 to 2:30p at Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, 80204. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to some anchors and causes that were important to Elaine; Su Teatro (http://suteatro.org/), Native American Rights Fund (https://narf.org/), or Latino Cultural Arts Center (https://www.lcac-denver.org/).