Ester Sanchez Pena gained her wings and joined her daughter Cynthia and husband Elias in Heaven at 9:18 pm on February 3, 2022. Ester was born on March 5, 1950, to Alexandro Sr. and Ramona Sanchez. Ester married Elias Rivera Pena on April 1, 1969. Dad often told people that they married on April Fools Day because they were fools for each other. They met when mom would walk home after school and dad would try and talk to her. She didn't give him her name for several years so dad would call her "Little Red Riding Hood". Since she was always seen walking with her red sweater. They were happily married for 43 years until dad was called home in 2012.

Ester and Elias showed their love by creating a family which included Elias Jr., Debbie, Cyndi (Lorenzo), Rick, and John. Their children brought them GREATER joy by extending their family, making them grandparents with the births of granddaughters Ramona(Mark), Elizabeth Marie. Grandsons Roman, Lorenzo Jr., Ray Anthony, and Christopher. This is the legacy Ester leaves behind, family. She leaves behind many loved ones, strangers who became friends, friends who became family. If you knew Ester, then you know her doors are always open. She put meals in many bellies, a roof over many heads, pillows to lay on, and an ear to listen to your problems. She befriended many of her children's friends throughout the years who call her mom till this day. Ester worked many years as a home health aide for the City of San Antonio. She and her children volunteered time at the Westway Adult Day Care where she taught her children patience, empathy, grace, respect, and love for people of all walks of life.

Ester was always a family-first type of woman. She was always our protector and our champion of fighting causes. If you needed her for anything all you needed to do was ask. Mom took great pride and joy in hostessing family functions throughout the years. She enjoyed gardening, quiet evenings barbecuing with family and friends, and working on her crafts. The simplest pleasures in life brought her great happiness. She will be missed and thought of often. "To the world, you are a mother but to us, you are our world."

We love you Mom until we meet again. We will all continue to honor your legacy by staying together and living our lives to the fullest.