Household, associates and prospects are mourning the lack of Maria Esther Valdiva, the matriarch of a preferred Silver Lake taqueria, after she was struck by a automobile final week and died a number of days later.
The incident occurred on Could 22, at round 1 p.m., on the intersection Cross Avenue and Glendale Boulevard in Echo Park.
“I really feel horrible. I can’t imagine it at occasions. I’ve moments the place I simply break down,” Irma Gonzalez, Valdiva’s daughter, instructed KTLA.
Gonzalez stated she’s used to strolling into work at Tacos Delta and seeing her mom.
“My mother was greater than a mother,” she stated. “We noticed her every single day. We labored along with her every single day.”
Valdiva had labored at Tacos Delta for the reason that day it opened in 1981. She was the mom of 4 youngsters, had 14 grandchildren and one nice grandchild. Her daughter stated that Valdiva was nonetheless very lively and on the time of the crash, she’d had her luggage packed for a ladies’ journey to Cabo.
“My mother was wholesome. My mother was lively,” Gonzalez stated. “She wasn’t simply any grandma…very impartial girl, (a) sturdy girl.”
After Valdiva failed to choose up her grandchildren from college final Monday, her children grew involved. They discovered her within the hospital affected by extreme head accidents. She died two days later.
“They took my mother. They took a grandma away from her grandchildren,” her daughter stated. “Our life is the wrong way up.”
Clients have been stopping by Tacos Delta, a Silver Lake landmark, and leaving flowers and playing cards. Valdiva was beloved by these within the neighborhood who knew her.
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The neighborhood mourns after Maria Esther Valdiva, the beloved matriarch of Tacos Delta in Silver Lake died from accidents sustained after a automobile hit her on Could 22, 2023. (KTLA)
Gonzalez stated that her mom was the sort to offer to these in want with out hesitation.
“Most cancers Society, Kids’s Hospital St. Jude, the animal shelter. She was only a particular person to offer,” Gonzalez defined. “She all the time helped the homeless, anyone that might ask her for cash. You by no means know why they’re there. You must be compassionate and assist others. We’ll observe her legacy of serving to.”
Tacos Delta plans to carry a memorial for Valdiva, which they’ll announce on Instagram.
As for police, they’ve but to launch any details about the crash.
