Maria "Elisa" O'Beirne

Maria Elisa O’Beirne, age 81, passed away on September 15, 2020 in Odessa, Texas.

Elisa was born on June 19, 1939 in the town of La Paz, Bolivia in South America.  She has 2 brothers, Edwin, who is deceased and Winston who is managing the family farm in Bolivia.  She is the daughter to Don Ernesto Rivera and Emma Mealla.   Elisa loved cooking, caring for children, and crocheting.  At the age of 18, she emigrated to the U.S. via San Diego and then lived in Los Angeles, CA with her brother Edwin and his family.

She worked at both the International Hotel and the Sand Man Motel, where she met her future husband, Frank O’Beirne.  About four years later, they were married by the Bishop of the Inglewood Ward.  A year after they were married, Elisa was baptized in 1973 in El Paso, Texas.  Approximately a year later, they were sealed together in the Los Angeles Temple.  She then had the privilege of going to the temple again to be sealed to her parents.

She was an excellent homemaker and Carla; their daughter was born in 1976. In 1977 the family moved to Odessa as a result of Frank’s job relocation. Her family became members of the Odessa First Ward. Elisa served as a teacher in Sunday school and as a teacher in the Young Women’s Auxiliary. Later she was called to be the ward librarian which she really enjoyed and with time this calling became her passion.  Since that time, she has always been known as the ward librarian.

During her time here in Odessa, her career consisted of operating a day care center in her home for approximately 17 years.  Many children received both spiritual and physical nourishment while being cared for by Elisa.  Several of the children that she cared for, now have families of their own.  The strong loving bond that was formed during that time has carried on through-out the years.

She is survived by her husband, Frank, to whom she was married for 48 years; daughter, Carla and her spouse, Johnny Head; also, three grandchildren: Nico, Ally, and Luna.

On Tuesday the 15 of September, her grandson, Nico left on his mission to the Salt Lake City Mission.  Ever since he was a small child in primary, Elisa was dedicated to making sure that Nico followed his desire to serve a full-time mission by providing that opportunity to him.

Elisa’s life here in Odessa has had a profound effect on those that she has encountered. This is evident by those who have reached out to the family in various ways and by those who are present today.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with Bishop Matthew Ornsby officiating.  Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Head, John Corral, Isaac Corral, Mario Corral, Jody Damron, and Tristan Ormsby.