Isabel Elsa Villar, founder of El Centro Hispano in White Plains, dies at age 74

Mike Randall, Times Herald-Record
·2 min read

WHITE PLAINS — Isabel Elsa Villar, the founding executive director of El Centro Hispano in White Plains, died July 12 after a 15-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to her obituary.

She was 74.

While already employed full-time as a bilingual middle school teacher in Norwalk, Conn., Villar wanted to do something to help new arrivals in the United States, according to her obituary.

This 2015 file photo shows Isabel Villar, Director of El Centro Hispano of White Plains at the 41st Annual Three Kings Day hosted at St. Bernard's Church in White Plains on Jan. 4, 2015.
This 2015 file photo shows Isabel Villar, Director of El Centro Hispano of White Plains at the 41st Annual Three Kings Day hosted at St. Bernard's Church in White Plains on Jan. 4, 2015.

So she co-founded El Centro Hispano, a community organization that offers a variety of programs for Hispanic residents of White Plains and elsewhere in Westchester County, including education, technology, support services cultural events, outreach, counseling, and special activities.

These programs include English as a second language, citizenship classes, computer classes for adults, a semi-monthly food distribution program, legal and affordable care program assistance and free health services.

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For many years following its founding, El Centro Hispano was housed at St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, and the support of the parish enabled the new organization to grow and flourish.

When it became clear early in 2020 that the program needed a new home, Villar dedicated her final years to making that dream a reality, even though she was plagued by health problems.

Her efforts were able to generate support from many individuals and community organizations. In June of 2022, El Centro Hispano purchased a building on Central Avenue in White Plains.

Renovations took almost a year, but on June 26 El Centro Hispano opened its doors and began serving the Hispanic community at its new location.

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Villar was the longtime host of the cable TV program, "El Centro Hispano Informa." She was the recipient of 42 awards for her work over the years, but one of the most special recognitions came in 2013, when a section of Lexington Avenue in White Plains was renamed Isabel Elsa Villar Boulevard.

Her survivors include a brother, Dr. Frank Villar Sanchez; a sister, Dalia Gonzalez; and a nephew, two nieces, a grand-nephew, two aunts, one uncle and 18 cousins.

Her wake will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, 491 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. Her funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, 6 Greenacres Ave., Scarsdale.

After the funeral service, there will be a celebration of life for friends and family from 2 to 4 p.m. at El Centro Hispano, 295 Central Ave., White Plains.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record, Poughkeepsie Journal and The Journal News/lohud. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Isabel Elsa Villar, founder of El Centro Hispano, dies at 74