Maria Estela Guajardo, 75, finished her journey on August 16, 2022. Born on September 28, 1946 in Aramberri, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Maria Estela Sanchez grew up in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. There, she met and married the love of her life, Jose Ismael Guajardo on January 15, 1969. She was the proud mother of six children who she raised in San Antonio, Texas. Estela’s joy in life was being a wife, mother, grandmother, and most recently great-grandmother. She loved her husband unconditionally and was the rock of the family. As a mother, Estela was the constant love and support to her children, whether thru a making their favorite meal, a phone call, voicemail or text, which she recently learned to do to be able to communicate with everyone. She was blessed to be able to help raise her grandkids and was an active role in their lives. They will have great memories of all the unconditional love she gave them.
Estelita, as she was known to her siblings, was the youngest daughter. She had a great relationship with all her siblings. Daily phone calls that lasted hours with her oldest sister, daily phone calls and weekly breakfast dates with her youngest brother and she mourned daily for siblings that preceded her in death.
Tia Estelita, as she was known to her nieces and nephews, became a second mom to many of them. Sometimes even bringing them into her home. She knew everyone’s birthdays by heart… including anniversaries. They all loved the energy and love she gave when she was in their presence.
Ms. Guajardo, as she was known by the lifelong friends she made while volunteering at Will Rogers Elementary, spent many years giving her time to not only the students but the staff at the school. She was active in the PTA, worked a few years in the after school program and was also a crossing guard for a short time. After her youngest left the school, she kept active while her grandkids attended Will Rogers. She was looking forward to once again volunteering now that her youngest grandkid would be attending.
Estela suffered from kidney disease most of her life. She was granted a second chance at life by being a kidney transplant recipient. She didn’t take this for granted, she made sacrifices in her every day life to ensure her gift allowed her a longer life to spend with her loved ones. Estela had a smile that would light up any room she walked into. She had the gift of making friends everywhere she went. If you met her, you loved her, and she loved you.
Estela is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jose Guajardo; her daughter Flor and husband Marco Antonio De La Fuente; son Miguel and daughter in law Lisa Guajardo; daughter Rocio Guajardo; daughter Gabriella and husband Rigo Carrizales; daughter Judith Guajardo and son Jose Guajardo II; 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; extended family and friends.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at University Health Systems, including the dialysis center, kidney transplant team, medical providers, and especially the ICU staff. During her short stay in the ICU, the staff went above and beyond with not only Estela, but her entire family. The nurses provided a level of care to our mother that brought such peace to our hearts. We will be eternally grateful and will never forget how blessed we were to have angels providing the best care to her.
Despite every battle she faced, Estela had a positive attitude and never complained. She had the will to live, and although we were not ready to say goodbye, we know she will always be with us in our hearts. We will always love you and miss you Mom.
Services to celebrate the life of Estela are:
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Visitation will begin at 5:00pm
Rosary to be recited at 7:00pm
The Angelus Chapel
1119 N. St. Mary’s St.
Friday, August 26, 2022
Funeral Service will begin at 10:00am
The Angelus Chapel
Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.
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