Carmen Cay Elordi

Carmen Cay Elordi, a devoted wife, loving mother, adoring grandmother and great-grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and love.

Born on April 10, 1956, in Nampa, Idaho, Carmen lived a life defined by strength, compassion, and unwavering love for those around her.

She was the daughter of James and Lois Nylander and the second eldest of four children. She grew up alongside her siblings: Debbie (Tony Dickinson), Corine (Todd Jones), and Stanley “Butch,” in a home filled with love, laughter, and strong family values that Carmen carried with her throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her father, James Nylander; her brother, Stanley “Butch” Nylander; her brother-in-law, Tony Dickinson.

She married the love of her life, Paul Elordi, on August 9, 1974, at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Homedale, Idaho. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with family, faith, and dedication.

Carmen was the proud mother of three sons: Brian, Jeff (Tiffany), and Nick (Arica). Carmen’s love only grew as her family expanded, becoming a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren and two great-children. Her family was her greatest pride, and she found true happiness in the time spent cheering on her children and grandchildren at their sporting events and simply being present in their lives.

Carmen retired after ten years of dedicated service as the City Clerk at Wilder City Hall, where her diligence, warmth, and smile made a lasting impact on co-workers and the community.

To know Carmen was to witness a rare strength and grace. I have never known a woman to face so many trials and tribulations and continue on with a smile. I have never known a woman to always see the good in people and always put the thoughts and needs of others before her own. She embodied compassion, humility, and an unshakeable optimism that served as an example to everyone around her.

Her legacy is not only in the family she loved so dearly, but also in the countless lives she touched with her quiet strength, her boundless heart, and her ability to find joy, even in the hardest moments.

Carmen will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her light, her love, and her example will live on in all who knew her.

A celebration of her life will be held on June 6, 2025, at 12:00 pm at the Basque Center (Txoko Ona), 333 S. Main Street in Homedale.

In honor of Carmen, the family encourages everyone to cherish time with loved ones and to carry forward her kindness and compassion.