Estella Pierce Garcia was received into the kingdom of heaven on Monday, March 15, 2021, as she took her last breath in her home, surrounded by family, in San Antonio, Texas. Estella, the youngest of 16 children, was born Oct. 24, 1935, to Cristobal and Guadalupe Zapata Pierce in Seguin. She was 85years old at the time of her passing. Vibrant and full of energy, Estella had a love for music, gardening, and singing. She had a zest for life that very few others did, and a loyal, deep love for her family. She was a strong woman who raised her seven children with as much love as there was sternness. She was a wonderful seamstress,

and handmade most of her own clothes, along with clothes for her daughters. Estella worked for the Northside Independent School District as a paraprofessional, educating and assisting children with special needs. She retired after 27 years of service.

After retiring, Estella delved into her music, singing as part of a mariachi trio in restaurants along the San Antonio River Walk. You could find her dressed to the nines when out with friends or enjoying an evening of dancing at the Royal Palace. Always active, Estella would often walk around Woodlawn Lake and Edgewood Stadium. She also loved supporting her sons and grandsons at softball games, yelling and cheering from the stands.

Anyone who was fortunate to know Estella knew her home was the place to be for a good party. Her door was always open, and she was never shy about "tipping a can" when the occasion arose. She had an unmatched gift of hospitality and cooking, which she showered on her friends and family. Everyone would come knocking on Christmas and New Year's to enjoy her traditional specialties, like molé, menudo, flautas, and especially her tamales.

She enjoyed traveling with her family and took trips to Canada, Maryland, California, and Mexico, to name a few. A devout Catholic, Estella was a member of St. Martin Catholic Church, where she sang in the Chorale de St. Martin.

Her health began to decline when she was diagnosed with dementia at the young age of 67; however, Estella had the strength, the will, and the desire to fight with everything she had, and lived for the next 18 years, before receiving the key to her mansion in heaven.

Estella was preceded in death by her 15 siblings; her parents; husband Frank Garcia; son Michael Gutierrez; granddaughter Patricia Montalvo; and great-grandson David Bolivar III.

She is survived by her loving children, Evangelina Gutierrez (Henry), Frank P. Gutierrez, Lisa Hinojosa (Tim), Tony Gutierrez (Amy), Ronnie Gutierrez (Shawn), and Elsa Rodriguez (Jimmy); daughter-in-law Helen Gutierrez; grandchildren Joe, John, Sarah, David Jr., Angelica, Cristina, Daniel, Nicole, Paula, Luca, Tessa, Ariean, Gabriella, Isabella, and Angelina; 24 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Visitation with family will be held on Wednesday, April 14, from 3:30-6 p.m. with a rosary recited at 6 p.m. in the Castillo Funeral Home in San Antonio.

A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church in San Antonio, with the Rev. Kevin Fausz to officiate.

Interment will follow in the San Fernando Cemetery, No. 2, in San Antonio.

Until we meet again, "My cara de papas ," Love, Mom (Grandma).