On September 25, Estella B Gonzales passed away surrounded by family members. Estella was 87 years old and a native of San Benito, Texas. She was principled, loving, courageous, steeped in her Catholic Faith, and passionate about public service. She held a bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and master’s degrees from Southern Illinois University and The George Washington University, respectively.
Estella was a trailblazer who worked for 61 years and strove to make a difference and improve the lives of others. She began her career in 1960 as a social worker in the Rio Grande Valley followed by teaching positions in the United States, Montevideo, Uruguay, and Panama City, Panama. In the last 24 years she proudly and happily taught multilingual learners from prekindergarten to 5th grade at the Marie H Reed Community Center in Washington, D.C.
Estella is survived by her children, Ambassador Rebecca Eliza Gonzales and Jerome Rene Gonzales (Amanda), grandson Imagine Alexander Gonzales, sister Aurora Alice Aranda (George) and numerous nieces and nephews. She is proceeded in death by her husband Colonel Jose Rene Gonzales, her parents Henry Ybarra and Rebecca Ybarra Balli, and her siblings Henry Ezequiel Ybarra and Ruby Lee Garza.
On October 10, at 10:00 a.m. there will be a memorial mass at St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas. Estella was a life-long member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and was baptized, confirmed, and married there. She will be interred with her husband Colonel Jose Rene Gonzales at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Daniel Balli, Héctor Gutiérrez Jr., Enrique A Ybarra, Miriam Rodriguez, José Salinas Ill, Albert Garza Ill, Teresa Navarro, Rafael Trevino and Ricardo Trevino.
Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485
17 Comments
Estella was such a kind and lovely soul with a big beautiful heart! She raised an amazing family and was loved by all who knew her. I so thankful that her daughter, Rebecca, introduced us and I am honored to have known her. Her legacy lives on in each heart she touched.
Thank you, God, for giving us Estella! The world is a tad dimmer without her.
I’m so sorry to learn of Senora Estella’s passing. I k ow how wonderful she is because I see the light in her beautiful daughter Rebecca. May her memory serve as a blessing to all who were privileged to know her in life. My thoughts are with you all.
The Krajicek family passes their deepest regrets to the Gonzales family, and our kind thoughts are with you all..
The Krajicek family passes their deepest regrets to the Gonzales family..
Farewell to this beautiful soul I had the privilege of knowing all my life. Her sense of wonder and adventure will live on in all of us as well as her incredible compassion for others and her community. Her love of teaching was inspiring and the number of lives and generations to come that she affected and changed the trajectory for will never exactly be known to us But we know SHE made a difference! Love you Tia Estella. Thanks for always loving us. My condolences to Rebecca, Imagine, Jerome and Mandy as they will feel her absence in such a profound way.
We will miss this beautiful soul who blessed me with her wisdom, advice, love and prayers my whole life. Tia Estella always had a genuine sense of wonder and adventure as evidenced when she left her small south Texas town for a college education, which in her time was not very common. She then” went on to see the world with her huckleberry friend” (from their love song, MoonRiver)– husband Col Rene Gonzales. Tia Estella had a love for teaching and did so wholeheartedly and in such a compassionate way. The lives she touched and the trajectory of of their future generations is an impact we may never know fully but SHE made a difference in whatever corner of the world she found herself in. Condolences to my primos, Rebecca, Imagine, Jerome and Mandy as I know they will profoundly feel her absence. We know she is resting with the Lord as she was a good and faithful servant. Go hug your Mama. NOBODY will ever hold you back from doing that again!!
Our deepest condolences to the Gonzales family. May the Lord provide you with the peace that surpasses all understanding. Estella was such a wonderful God fearing woman. She always had a positive attitude and a great personality. She will be greatly missed.
With a heavy heart, I want to say goodbye to Ms. Gonzales.
She was a wonderful person and dear friend.
She had a kind heart, a beautiful spirit, and always shared words of wisdom that I will never forget.
She often spoke about her children, Rebecca and Jerome, with so much love and pride.
She said she saw me like her little sister, but for me, she was my sister too.
I will miss her deeply and keep her in my heart forever.
With love and sympathy,
Maria Teresa
With a heavy heart, I want to say goodbye to Ms. Gonzales.
She was a wonderful person and dear friend with a kind heart and a beautiful spirit.
She often spoke about her children, Rebecca and Jerome, with so much love and pride.
She admired their strength, hard work, caring hearts, and willingness to help others — she was so proud of them.
She said she saw me like her little sister, and for me, she was my sister too.
I will miss her deeply and keep her in my heart forever.
With love and sympathy,
Maria Teresa
My deepest condolences to the Gonzales family, Ms. Estella Gonzales, or as I called her Mother, will always be in our hearts and minds. It can’t simply be put in words to express my gratitude and love! Vuela Alto Estella Gonzales! Love always!❤️❤️🙏
With a heavy heart, I want to say goodbye to Ms. Gonzales.
She was a wonderful person and dear friend with a kind heart and a beautiful spirit.
She often spoke about her children, Rebecca and Jerome, with so much love and pride.
She admired their strength, hard work, caring hearts, and willingness to help others — she was so proud of them.
She said she saw me like her little sister, and for me, she was my sister too.
I will miss her deeply and keep her in my heart forever.
With love and sympathy,
Maria Teresa Atencio
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Estella Gonzales. While I never had the honor of meeting her in person, I know that she was loved and admired by many many people including the generations of students who were so lucky to be taught by her. Through the light and wisdom of her daughter, Rebecca, and the energy and poise of her grandson, Imagine, her spirit lives on.
With love and care,
Randa
Our condolences to the family. Estella was an amazing lady. wWe felt very privileged to be considered as a part of this wonderful family group. Sending prayers for comfort for the family.
Ms. Gonzales was a dedicated educator who always gave her best to her students and also served as a trusted, collaborative colleague to so many. She had a “no nonsense” personality but was gentle and kind at the same time. Her deep faith guided her gifts of service towards all, and in the midst of the frantic pace of public school daily life, she always brought the much needed perspective – that family was the most important thing. She talked often of her children Jerome and Rebecca, her grandson Imagine, and her late husband Jose. She was so proud of her family and missed her husband dearly. Ms. Gonzales, enjoy your peace and rest assured that you made the world a better place. ❤️
My deepest condolences to my dear friend Rebecca, Jerome, Amanda, and Imagine. I first met Stella when she moved to Washington all those years ago. Stella was so full of laughter and energy and adored being a teacher. Her students were so lucky to have her! Indeed, Stella continued to teach as recently as last year when she was well into her eighties. Wow! You will be so missed by us all, dear Stella. You were such a bright light!
My deepest condolences to my dear friend Rebecca, Jerome, Amanda, and Imagine. I first met Stella years ago when she moved to Washington. Such energy and fun! I’ve always admired Stella’s enthusiasm for teaching—and well into her eighties! She was such a bright light. I’m honored to have known her. ❤️
I’m truly honored and grateful to have known Estella. She was an incredible woman, mother, sister, teacher, and friend, always ready to help others. To me, she was more than a friend, she was like a sister. I’ll always remember her encouragement, her laughter, and her love for life. Working with her at Reed Elementary was a privilege; she inspired everyone with her dedication and kindness. My heartfelt condolences to her family, especially Rebecca, Jerome, and Imagine. You are in my prayers.
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