Elba Miriam de Serrano, age 83, of Providence, RI, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on January 6, 1942,  in El Salvador to Emelina Lara and Napoleon Arias, she spent her life dedicated to her family, her community, and her faith. She was known for her green thumb, warm smile, abundant heart, and sage wisdom. She will be remembered for embodying our divine creator’s decree to “love thy neighbor” — there wasn’t an animal, creature, plant or airplane she didn’t bless over with her prayer. 

She is survived by her daughter and sons: Miriam Leticia Lara, Juan Antonio Lara, Alvaro Lara, Urania Lara; grandchildren Heidi Lara, Natalia Lara, Jamiel Lara, Jair Perez, Jasmine Lara, Lauren Colomer, Agnes Colomer, Nicole Colomer, Ian Colomer, Elizabeth Yanira Lara Lopez, Valeria Rosana Lara Lopez, Genesis Valena Lara Lopez, Umarah Lara; great-grandchildren Kathleen Cruz, Sebastian Colomer, Julian Sesar Trolla, Vanessa Tatiana Trolla, Jasmin Micheyla Lara, Leonardo Lucas Molina Lara; and siblings Bessy Lara v. de Lopes, Oscar Lara, Dalila Lara de Caceros, Noemi Gonzalez, and Maria “Mayra” Flores. She was preceded in death by first daughter Miriam Janet Lara Juarez, and her brother Rene Francisco Arias Lara.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Olson & Parent Funeral Home, 417 Plainfield Street, Providence, RI 02909. Burial is private. The family requests attendees dress in white or light colors (no black, please). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to Save the Bay (www.savebay.org).

 So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:10–11)