Estela Ramirez

Maria Estela Ramirez, 55, died Aug. 8, 2014.

Only a few hours were left and Estela’s 10-year-old daughter was anticipating a fourth-grade graduation. Small accolade as it was, she was fast at work sewing sparkling purple pieces of cloth together. Money was not going to stop her from giving her daughter a spectacular outfit to wear in front of teachers and friends. She woke her best friend in the wee hours of the morning for help with hair, and even cut a piece of her own mother’s slip for a blouse lining. It was sleepless nights like these that made the paint in the strokes of her humble and selfless life.

Estela was born on Aug. 17, 1958 in Mercedes, Tx, where her parents, Ricardo and Maria Rodriguez, raised her. She started her family in Houston, Tx, in 1974, where she spent most of her years as a homemaker. She served those she loved as a mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. Her loved-ones call her heart a “heart of gold.” She devoted many hours to teaching her children and grandchildren about the love of God. In May of 2014, after being diagnosed with stage IV diffuse gastric cancer; she continued to be a witness and reflection of Christ for her husband, children and nephews. Days before she passed, she said, “Thank you, Jesus, for healing me.” During her last weeks, family and friends surrounded her and showered her with love.

Estela is survived by her husband, Guadalupe; her son, Sonny; her five daughters, Glenda, Laura, Alaida, Isis, and Tzania; her four grandchildren, Nicholas, Jabez, Jeremiah and Maya; and her nine siblings, Tomas, Sam, Riche, Fidel, Rey, Antonia, Dalia, Guadalupe and Juan.

The celebration of Estela’s life will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 at Rio Life Community Church, followed by her funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday. Afterward, her funeral procession will depart from Rio Life to Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery at 11 a.m.