Martha Claire Zabala Eslava

Martha Claire Zabala Eslava left this world peacefully surrounded by her closest family, friends, and pets on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at her home in St. Bernard. She is preceded in death by her parents, Loyola and Grace McCabe Zabala, and spouse Christopher J. Eslava. Martha is survived by her sister, Helena Zabala Gunnell (Jimmy); nieces, Jessica Gunnell Garner (Jeremy), Katherine Gunnell Olds (Roderick); nephew, James Gunnell (Valerie); and their children, as well as many special friends. She also leaves behind her beloved pets/companions, Max, Baby, Jeramiah and Clyde. A special "thank you" goes to her indispensable sitters, Kayla, Barabra, and Marie. Infinite gratitude goes out to Karen Scott and all the "girls at The Office." In our world, there is no one, nor will there ever be anyone, quite as special as Martha was. Imagine the most loving, compassionate, unique (oh, who are we kidding…more like "wildly eccentric"), strong-willed, 100% authentic human you ever met. Multiply all those times infinity, that was Martha. Born and raised in New Orleans then eventually landing in St. Bernard for 40+ years, Martha lived a life rich in experiences. She was proud to be both a New Orleanian and longtime resident of The Parish. There was no life event or natural disaster big and bad enough that could've ever deterred her from permanently leaving home. At age 12, she became a big sister for the first and only time, then at age 18, she married the man she would remain with for more than 50 blissful years. Together, she and her husband, Chris, built a life founded upon hard work and dedication which led to great personal and professional success, the ability to give back to their community, the greatest fun and adventures, plus a lifetime full of those hard-to-put-into-words kind of great memories for those she left behind. Martha was a beautiful woman both inside and out. She was always described as being vibrant, adventurous, devilishly witty, a great storyteller, and yes, even a bit frustratingly stubborn. Martha got what Martha wanted – always! Martha's life was also one of resiliency. Although she led a life rich in joyful experiences, there were also many (too many to count) times that Martha stood up to life-threatening illnesses. She struggled with her health as a young woman up until the end…so much so that embraced the nickname "The Cockroach." Some of these challenges with her health would lead to an eventual amputation of her right leg shortly after Katrina. When given the opportunity to speak on how or why the amputation happened, she'd present a story filled with adventure. Amongst the most popular themes: 1.) She lost her leg after a nasty encounter with a shark. 2.) She fought an alligator, but the gator didn't win. 3.) She stepped on a land mine while on a walkabout enjoying a warm, breezy day…Martha was the epitome of "making lemonade out of lemons." (We now also know that when you have one foot, salons and spas are on the fence about offering half-off pedicure services…). While Martha and Chris never had children of their own, they heaped their love onto close friends, siblings, nieces, nephews, and eventually great-nieces and great-nephews. They confided in a small circle of close friends who surrounded them until the end. For as much as she loved people, she also loved animals of all kinds. From alligators to horses, nutria, geese, goats, dogs, and cats…she loved and nurtured all. Whenever you eat a dry Italian cookie, see a particularly beautiful moon, or watch one of those silly "animals doing things" videos online, think of Martha. When you listen to Elvis, Liberace, or Fats Domino, think of Martha. When you smell gardenia, Liz Taylor's "White Diamonds," or see someone tossing bread to the seagulls at the beach (or pigeons in the Quarter), think of Martha. When you see or experience your own pure, unabashed joy in life's simplest pleasures…think of Martha. We know that Martha's in Heaven, and Chris is there with her. The Saints win the Super Bowl every season and every day is Fat Tuesday. Penny's Cafe is open 24/7 and fried chicken is always on the menu. Hopefully Central Grocery has also reopened by now up there, too. Her parents, friends, and pets that passed before her are there, too. There's always a prank to pull, an adventure to be had, and she never needs to buy batteries again for her hearing aids. (Also, if she has it her way, there's an Avon rep up there and countless As Seen on TV products, too.) There's an immeasurable hole in the universe and in the hearts of those who loved Martha. We will miss her forever. Services for Martha were not held immediately but will be done so at 10:00 am on Monday, April 3, 2023, at St. Bernard Catholic Church. We will also memorialize Chris Eslava at this time. Per their wishes, we are asking that in lieu of flowers, you please consider donating to your local animal and domestic abuse shelters, St. Jude's, or any organization that truly contributes to the greater good.