Elza Cabral Moreira Da Silva Harris

Elza Cabral Moreira da Silva Harris, 79, of Ririe, died Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at the Gables Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls. Elza was born February 9, 1927 in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil a daughter to Carlos Moreira da Silva and Alba Dulce Cabral Moreira da Silva. Our beautiful Mom lived a very lively and fulfilling life that began in her native homeland of Brazil. Elza grew up in the picturesque beach town of Rio Grande. At the age of 9, Elza’s family moved to the cultural southern city of Porto Alegre in the state of Rio Grande do Sul where she graduated from the Alliance Francais, worked at the First Nat’l City Bank of New York and then later for the American Consulate. It was at the Consulate that she met the love of her life, Arden J. Harris, and married in 1960. Through Arden’s U.S. State Department work in the USAID Program, they spent the first 12 years of their married life in Central and Western Africa where Elza raised their four children. She assisted the U.S. gov’t as an interpreter, hosted her own weekly televised cooking show and became a very good friend to so many. It had always been said that “Elza had never met a stranger”, because she was always so happy and caring to anyone that was fortunate to cross her path. Elza spoke 7 different languages, and though she never boasted of such an accomplishment she always used to joke that she could “smile in any language”. In 1975, she and Arden moved the family to Ririe, Idaho. Elza worked in the Ririe school system for over 20 years, and genuinely loved the opportunity to work with so many wonderful educators and teach so many young minds. It was there she became recognized for her significant role as a Teachers Aide to one of the top five Special Ed. Programs in the State. During her career at Ririe, Elza also taught private language lessons and assisted many individuals in translating documents. She was a member of the Ririe Ladies Garden Club for several years. Among many of her talents, Elza was also an accomplished cook, seamstress, and most of all the greatest mother, wife and grandmother. We love you mamae. Survivors include: her husband, Arden, brothers: Paulo Moreira da Silva and Carlos Moreira da Silva, children: Robert Harris of Boston, MA, Marie Richards of Mtn. Green, UT, Patricia Harris of Walnut Creek, CA and Nancy Scharris of Atlanta, GA, grandchildren: Adam, Kate, Elizabeth, Carly, Abbie and Elena Marie, and Great Grandchildren: Marlee and Jordyn. Funeral services will be held at the Ririe Stake Center, 14061 N. 130 E., Ririe, Idaho, Monday, October 16, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Memorial Chapel 101 W. Main Street, Rigby and on Monday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center.