Florence Ann “Tia Babe” Elwell, age 90, of Santa Paula, California passed into eternal life on February 22nd, 2024, surrounded by love in the comfort of her home. Florence was born in Ventura on August 19th, 1933,to William Anselmo Elwell and Helen Valdez Elwell. She was raised in the historic Tortilla Flats neighborhood, amongst many other historic native families of the Ventura area. Sharing and exploring her ancestry with her nephew, our family historian Jim Elwell Martinez, was one of her great joys. She also enjoyed traveling, cooking for family and friends, running her café and later larger restaurant Tia Babes Restaurante in Santa Paula. Florence retired at age 84 from the very challenging restaurant business, which she loved. A very generous employer, Babe took her employees on vacation several times and cooked special dinner for them on Sundays. One of her great passions was real estate investing, including building her own home, apartment buildings and a commercial 3-unit building. Florence is survived by her daughters; Debra Valdes Libby, Diane Vela Martinez (James Paul Martinez), Henrietta “Ricci” Vela Laureano, brother Bill Elwell of Simi Valley, sister Elvina Elwell Marquez of Ventura, grandchildren; Jason Patrick Libby (wife Gayane), Jimmy & Alexandra Martinez (fiancé Brian Stuetzel), Joey, Christopher & Nicolas Laureano, and many beloved nieces, nephews, friends, customers, and vendors. Florence is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Viola Lopez and Evelyn Martinez, and son-in-law, Jay Libby. The family would like to extend a special thank you to her tenant’s past and present and her honorary niece Roberta Quintanilla. A funeral mass will be held at the Old Mission, San Buenaventura, at 10AM March 14th, followed by graveside internment service at Santa Paula Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE at 757 E. Main St., Ventura, CA.