Elvira Masi

Elvira Masi Peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, entered eternal life on October 9, 2011. She was 84 years old. Elvira was born August 25, 1927 in Ceccano, Italy, the only child of Dominico and Theresa Loffredi. When Elvira was six years old, her family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she grew up and later married Lawrence Masi, her loving husband of 65 years. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Gail, Larry and Elvira moved to Tucson where they have lived for some 54 years. Upon their arrival in the Old Pueblo, Elvira and Larry purchased the Stone Avenue Market. They became part of the neighborhood and made several lifelong friends. Later, Elvira worked for Southern Arizona Bank (now Wells Fargo) and was an operations manager until her retirement. She was very proud of her banking career and the personalized service she provided to her customers. An active member of S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church for over 50 years, Elvira also enjoyed her involvement in the Father Eusebio Kino Branch #433 of the Italian Catholic Federation. Elvira and Larry were charter members of the club. She loved traveling to Italy to visit family and friends, cooking, watching movie classics, big band music and playing the card game "31." She was a huge baseball fan. But Elvira's greatest joy came with the births of her two grandchildren, Gabriella and Diego. She loved being "Grandma." Elvira was a devoted daughter, a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a wonderful friend to all who were blessed to have her in their lives. She will be greatly missed and her passing saddens all who knew her. Predeceased by her beloved parents, Elvira is survived by her husband, Larry; daughter, Gail Masi (Rudy Moreno); grandchildren, Gabriella and Diego Moreno; all of Tucson. Visitation will be Friday, October 14, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N. Dodge. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 1946 E. Lee St., burial to follow at Holy Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests tax credit donations to the Institute for Better Education, 911 S. Craycroft, Tucson, AZ 85711, or online at www.ibescholarships.org, in the name of Diego Moreno, #2133.2.