Ellen Pinedo

Ellen (Luna) Pinedo
December 24, 1951 – January 10, 2025
The City of Angels has gained another angel. Ellen (Luna) Pinedo passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, January 10, 2025, after a courageous 17-month battle with cancer. Initially given only weeks to live after her diagnosis in Chicago, she defied the odds with remarkable strength, fueled by the hope of spending more time with her beloved grandchildren, Olivia and Charlie.
Born on Christmas Eve 1951 in Los Angeles, California, to Charles and Mary Luna, Ellen grew up in the close-knit neighborhood of Gardena, California. She formed deep bonds with her community and graduated from Gardena High School in 1969. At just 17 years old, she was accepted into UCLA’s High Potential Program, where she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in English and formed lifelong friendships.
Through her work with Operation SER, the first U.S. Department of Labor program focused on job training for Mexican Americans, Ellen met her husband, Manuel Pinedo. Together, they stood at the forefront of social justice movements, taking students to protest at the historic Chicano Moratorium, advocating for equality and empowerment.
Ellen dedicated 40 years of her life to education as a kindergarten teacher in the El Monte School District, shaping young minds and leaving a lasting impact on countless families. Her warmth and devotion extended beyond the classroom to her own family—her sons, David and Anthony, and her cherished mother, Mary, who still resides in their family home in Gardena.
Ellen loved deeply and lived fully. She found joy in salsa dancing, cooking, traveling, meeting new people, reading, tending to her garden, and embracing the cultural landmarks of Los Angeles that enriched her soul. Above all, she was a proud Chicana, devoted to family, education, human rights, and the arts.
Her kindness, resilience, and unwavering spirit will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, and neighbors.
Ellen will always be our angel.