Estela Marquez

Estela Marquez, age 86, of Roswell, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness. Her life was a beautiful example of grace, kindness, and unwavering devotion to family and faith. Estela was born on August 9, 1938, in Pecos, Texas, to the late Pablo Lara and Martha Montoya. She grew up in a close-knit home filled with laughter, love, and strong cultural traditions. Estela married her teenage sweetheart, Richard B. Marquez Sr., and together, they built a life rooted in mutual respect, hard work, and a desire to succeed. The couple lived in Roswell, where they raised their six children. Estela dedicated more than 40 years of her life to bringing dignity and order into the homes of others as a residential housekeeper. Her employers affectionately knew Estela as “Miss Stella” and by the church staff as “The General,” She was often the first smiling face to greet families each morning and the last comforting presence at the end of the day. Her calm demeanor and organizational skills made her irreplaceable to her employers. Daily, she showed up and completed tasks thoroughly, which led to her becoming a trusted fixture in the households she served. Outside of her professional life, Estela was a woman of deep faith and served actively at Church on the Move. There, she volunteered with the prison ministry, served as an Usher and Door Greeter, and was part of the First-Time Visitor Ministry. She also loved crocheting and gathering the family together to celebrate a wide range of festive occasions. Estela hosted family dinners, where everyone knew to expect her famous enchiladas and deluxe green chile burritos made with homemade tortillas. Estela’s pride and joy were her 19 grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Grama/ Nana". She was their biggest cheerleader, attending school functions, sports activities, and graduations at every level with enthusiasm, always ready with a sweet treat and words of encouragement. Her legacy of love, generosity, and quiet strength will live on through each of them. Though she endured the unimaginable loss of her husband, Richard B. Marquez Sr., two sons, Danny Marquez and Roy Hector Marquez, and four grandsons, Jeremy Marquez, Robert Ray Marquez, Joshua Marquez, Frankie Vargas, Grandson–In-Law - Sam Sigala, six brothers and four sisters she continued to live a life filled with grace, love, and resilience. She now joins them in eternal peace. Surviving children include Richard Marquez Jr.– Spouse Linda, Amy Garcia – Spouse Richard, Arturo Marquez – Spouse Brenda, Sammy Lara Marquez – Spouse Dallas; fifteen cherished grandchildren, Martha Sigala, Rick Garcia-Spouse Angelica, Greg Torres, Arthur Marquez Jr., Jeremy Vargas-Spouse Bianca, Mitzie Peralta- Spouse Ernie, Portia Marquez, Stephanie Marquez, Daniella Marquez, Monica Marquez, Jonathan Marquez, Antoinette Barela-Spouse Johnny, Brittany Starks, Adrian Marquez, Jared Marquez, her sister - Francis Caudillo, and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and dear friends. Carrying her to her final resting place are Adrian Marquez, Elijah Garcia, Greg Torres, Nehemiah Peralta, Rick Garcia and Sam Sigala Jr. The family will host a viewing on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Anderson–Bethany, followed by a Funeral on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 10:00 am at Church on The Move. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. In honor of Estela’s giving spirit, the family kindly requests that instead of flowers, donations be made to Church on The Move, which will forever be close to her heart. Estela was the quiet force behind so many happy moments. Her memory will live on in the stories told around family tables, in the laughter of her grandchildren, and in the lives of those she touched with her gentle, steady love.

Estela Marquez

August 9, 1938 - June 8, 2025