Esther Imelda Rosales

Esther settled with her parents and 5 younger brothers in Fresno California. She was a wonderful Daughter and Sister. Being the oldest she was more like a mom to them than she was a sister.

Esther quickly found a job at C Board Finance where she became a secretary, taking shorthand and typing came very easy to her. She always helped her family, by working and taking care of all her brothers.

In 1951 she met the love of her life Art Rosales; she was only 16 and she noticed him sitting alone at a family gathering. In 1953 two years after they first met, they were reacquainted. It was “love at first sight” for both and after a 2-year courtship they married May 1, 1955.

Art and Esther made their home together, in Fresno California and lived on Cornelia for most of their marriage. They were owners and operators of Art’s Refrigeration Service for over 60 years. They were blessed with their children, Flor, Rick, Lisa, Lori, Art Jr. & Joe

Mom was the epitome of what a mother should be, she was dedicated, loving and kind, she was involved with everything her children did. A woman of God, she lived her life by her lord and savior, and she passed this on to her family. She never missed a function or anything her children were involved in, and we never missed Sunday mass.

When she became a Nana in 1977, her grandchildren were her world. She was Nana’s daycare and for the most part took care of all of them, afterschool at nana’s house and eating whatever you wanted to eat. You never left her home hungry!! She was blessed with 13 Grandchildren, 17 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandson.

Our loss is beyond words as it is a loss of the entire world, for the joy she gave to so many the love she showed to everyone she met. Esther was the pillar of her family; she was the pillar of her Garcia/Garcia family, and she was a pillar of her Church family at St Mary’s. She will be missed by so many; our hearts will never be the same, but we find comfort knowing she is sitting with her Lord and Savior and she is with so many loved ones that have passed before her.

She is survived by her Daughter, Flor Rossal, Son Rick Rosales & Rosie, Daughter Lisa Fanucchi & Steve, Daughter Lori Horiuchi & Eric and her Son Joe Rosales. Her Brothers John Garcia and Tilly, and Anthony Garcia and Patty, Nana’s Grandkids, Ricky & Stephen Rosales, Gina & Jeremy Frattini, Dom Fanucchi, Niko & Jess Feagaimaalii, and Kathryn Dowdy, Richard & Betty Ledesma and Michael Ledesma, Mari & Brennan Frea, Nathan & Marissa Rosales, and Anthony Garcia Her Great Grandkids, Adrina and Jordan Maldonado, Avani, Tori, Tazo, Toretto, Moon and Sparrow Frattini, Alani and Cohen Feagaimaalii, Xander and Kaydance, Elijah and Elizabeth Ledesma, Bronx and Brooklyn Ledesma, Jude Frea and Baby Royce. She is also survived by her best friend of 60 years, Emily Finley, along with many nieces and nephews that considered her Nana as well, and so many cousins and amazing friends that she loved so dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents Juan and Manuela Garcia, her beloved husband Luis Arthuro Rosales, Son Art Rosales and Granddaughter Nichole Rosales Maldonado. And her three brothers that she loved so very much.

In lieu of flowers please send donations on her behalf to

Sister of the Divine Master

3700 N. Cornelia Ave.

Fresno, CA 93722

St. Mary’s Queen of the Apostles’

4636 W. Dakota Ave.

Fresno, CA 93722