Estella Martha Monarrez, 85, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.
She was born in Tennant, California on July 29, 1936, to Antonio Esparza and Jesusa “Jessie” Saucedo Esparza. She grew up in Weed, California and graduated from Weed High School.
On November 22, 1953, he married the love of her life, Cruz Monarrez, who she’d met in Weed when he was working on the railroad.
Estella dedicated herself to teaching Cruz how to read and write in English, and later on in life, he became a United States citizen which she was incredibly proud of.
The pair were married for 67 years at the time of his passing and shared four wonderful children – Rosa, Daniel, Cristina, and Andrew.
Just like her husband, Estella worked for Southern Pacific Railroad in Imlay, Nevada.
Estella was a dispatcher for approximately 10 years and kept the conductors on schedule between their destinations.
After 11 years, the family moved to Winnemucca in 1965. Estella’s first job in Winnemucca was at the Sonoma Inn as a cashier.
She later went on to work as a grocery store clerk for Johnson’s Market, Uptown Market and Raley’s Supermarket for many years up until her retirement. She truly enjoyed visiting with her customers and seeing familiar faces step through the front door every day.
Estella always believed in charitable contribution and gave of herself to the community she loved.
She was a proud member of Saint Paul’s Catholic Church and a member of the Humboldt County Auxiliary. Estella was also a devoted volunteer at the Poke & Peek Thrift Shop.
Estella was incredibly active throughout her life. She shared her knowledge of health and wellness with her family and demonstrated through example the gift of physical activity and movement.
She was an avid softball player and loved watching baseball games on TV with her husband, Cruz. Later in life, you could find her playing catch in the backyard with her great-grandson.
Estella also loved the open road and the feeling that riding a bicycle gave her – 25 mile rides were no problem for her and brought a huge smile to her face.
She competed in Winnemucca’s first Mini Triathlon and various running events in Nevada and California, even finishing a race on a broken ankle. She attended aerobics classes at her local gym and was the first person to complete the “200 Class” club.
Estella also enjoyed bowling and competed in league play and traveled to several tournaments with her dear friends.
One of her very favorite past times was “bottle digging” in the hills of Imlay and the surrounding desert areas in search of rare glass treasures.
Estella also enjoyed taking care of her beautiful flowers, there was not a summer that her garden didn’t welcome everyone home.
She also enjoyed lunching with her friends at the Senior Center. It gave her an opportunity to “chit chat” with those dear to her heart.
Estella is survived by her daughter, Rosa (Jesus) Sanchez, son Daniel (Ciaren) Monarrez, grandson, Antonio Monarrez, granddaughters, Patricia Monarrez, Angie (Ken) Cronin, Marina Monarrez.
Great-grandchildren, Avery Cronin, Kole Cronin. Brothers, Victor (Pam) Esparza, David (Lesa) Esparza, sister-in-law, Shirly Esparza and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who held a special place in her heart.
Estella is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Jessie Esparza, step-mother, Soledad Esparza, her beloved husband, Cruz, her daughter, Cristina, her son, Andrew, her stepson, Antonio and her siblings, Carlos, John and Rosa.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Katie Garijo with Genesis and Angie’s Angels (Angela and Esther) for their immeasurable kindness, sincere compassion, and endless love that they bestowed on our beautiful Estella.
“May the Angels lead you to Paradise. Rest in Peace, Mama.”
A Rosary will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, September 10, 2021, at Sonoma Funeral Home, 47 W. First St., Winnemucca, NV. Per Estella’s request, there will be no Funeral Mass held.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jesse Sanchez Memorial Scholarship Fund, Albert M. Lowry High School.
