Adelaida Calderon

Our beloved Adelaida Calderon, also known as Adelita, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on July 11th. 

She was born on February 10, 1930, in Manta, Ecuador—a coastal town on the Pacific Ocean—and began working at a young age to support her family. After marrying Luis Calderon in 1947, she moved to Quito, where she gave birth to their only child, Luis German.

In 1967, Adelita immigrated to Washington, D.C., in search of better opportunity. She worked first as a caregiver and later as a seamstress. Uncommon for women of her time, she chose to work, not have more children, and build a life of independence—a quiet act of feminism rooted in love and sacrifice for her family.

Adelita’s true purpose was her family. She was our matriarch—nourishing, uplifting, and creating opportunity for the next generation through her hard work and dedication to putting our accomplishments above her own. She possessed a spirit of generosity that touched all who knew her—from coworkers who received Portuguese bread from her travels to nieces and nephews she showered with gifts and candy. She was endlessly loving, kind, and giving.

Her love language was food. In her kitchen, she expressed care, love, and generosity through every meal she prepared. Everyone who entered her home felt welcomed, seen, and deeply nourished. That made her type 2 diabetes diagnosis especially difficult—for someone whose greatest joy came from sharing food with others. Yet Adelita faced it with grace and determination, successfully managing the disease for more than half her life, and keeping her sweet tooth until her final days.

She is preceded in death by her husband Luis,; her mother, Carmen Amelia; her siblings, Hilda and Victor; and her dear sister-in-law and best friend, Emma. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Luis; daughter-in-law, Maritza; grandchildren, Miriam, Jennifer, Cassandra, and Samuel; great-grandchildren, Roman and Lucia; sister-in-law, Maria Gamboa; stepson, Galo Calderon; and many nieces, nephews, and loved ones particularly in Canada and Ecuador.

Adelita’s warmth, and kindness shaped the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy is one of boundless love, and fierce devotion to family. She is now at peace, surrounded by the love of those who came before—and the comforting aroma of something delicious on the stove.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the American Diabetes Association: https://diy-diabetes.donordrive.com/campaigns/In-Memory-of-Adelita-Calderon