Esther F. Meraz

Esther (Flores) Meraz died suddenly at her home in Indio, CA early morning on January 30th, 2020. Esther was born in Indio, California on August 7, 1936. Her mother, Amalia Ruybal was born in Colorado in 1904, married Jesus Flores in Colorado in the year of 1916 and came to Indio in the 30's. Esther attended the local schools and graduated Coachella Valley High School in 1954. She married Optaciano Meraz of Brawley on November 18, 1960, lived in Coachella on Harrison Ave., with her three children, Diane, Ron, and Anita, then moved to Thermal. Esther worked in the Headstart Program at Westside School, then at Oasis School as a teacher's aide before transferring to the District Office. She later took her talents to the Department of Motor Vehicles where she retired after many years of employment. Esther will be remembered as a woman of dignity and kindness. She loved and protected her family. She especially loved her grandchildren. She was everyone's number one cheerleader and was very proud of all their accomplishments, and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Esther was proceeded in death by her daughter Diane Meraz, husband of 59 years, Optaciano Meraz, and all of her siblings, Jesus Flores, Amelia Vasquez, Martin Flores, Cecelia Flores, and Rosalie Lujan. She is survived by two of her children Ron Meraz (Denise Meraz) of Pasadena and Anita Meraz-Cardenas (Michael Cardenas) of Indio, 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Friday, February 14, 2020 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 47-225 Washington Street, La Quinta, CA. A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. prior to the Mass at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following, Forrest Lawn in Coachella will conduct an inurnment at the Coachella Valley Public Cemetery at 82-925 Avenue 52, Coachella, California.