Our mother, Maria Esther, addressed as Esther, was born on May 19, 1926, in Rincon, NM to Aureliano Y Ramona Sanchez.

When she was five years old the family moved to Colotlan, Jalisco, Mexico where she grew to adulthood. At the age of 21, she returned to Las Cruces, NM to reunite with her mother's family. Her intention was to work for few months then return to Colotlan to aid in the care of her many siblings.

In Las Cruces a cousin of hers she called Mundo bragged of his beautiful cousin to his buddy, 17 year old Pete Tellez. They met, had a three month courtship and were married. They had their first four of eight children, Corina, Stella, Isabel and Pete in Las Cruces.

At about that time she received news that both her parents back in Colotlan, Jalisco had died three months apart of tetanus, leaving behind among the many adult sons and daughters, six young siblings, ages 13 to 8 months old. Esther was the eldest of seventeen. Being financially strapped, (between a rock and a hard place) there was little she could do for her younger siblings. Nevertheless along with a couple of the elder siblings, they found ways to sparingly oversee their care and there were definitely times that they went without.

Moving forward, our parents moved to Blythe, settled and had the last four of eight kids, Ramona, Rosie, Johnny and Helen.

Esther helped make ends meet by doing seamstress work. We daily had girls, women and occasionally men come by our home with many attire requests. She made alterations to clothes, but also made outfits from scratch or using a pattern. She made adjustments to suits for the "Dick Farrage Store for Men" (currently Halby's), to complete outfits for the High School majorettes, cheerleaders, and drill team (song leaders), brides and bridesmaids dresses with, on occasion, as many as seventeen in the party.

She instilled in us an attitude of generosity and of resolve to overcome.

Our mother passed on to her heavenly home on October 3, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Pete, fourteen of her sixteen siblings and one granddaughter.

She is survived by her children Corina, Estella, Isabel, Pete, Ramona, Rosie, Johnny and Helen; 25 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.

Esther ran the good race, competed well and went on to collect the heavenly crown of glory.
We rejoice in her peaceful passing, but she will be greatly missed.

Services will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Rosary will begin at 9:00 a.m. and Mass will start at 10:00 a.m.. Burial will follow at Palo Verde Cemetery.