Maria Teresa Esteban

Maria Teresa Esteban was born to parents Dolores Avina Gutierrez and Manuel Mendoza Senior on October 10th, 1945. Teresa is the oldest of five brothers and six sisters. Being the oldest of the children, Teresa and her second oldest sister Margarita became natural caregivers, as they helped their mother Dolores tend to the family’s needs while working in their mother’s restaurant. The family’s foundation and legacy were built on the restaurant business in Los Angeles, California.

Eventually, Teresa, who her family often called “Tere” for short, met the love of her life – her late husband Francisco Esteban Senior. Francisco Senior, endearingly known as “Pancho”, was a Spaniard from the Spanish Navy who had stopped in one day to eat at the restaurant while the ship was docked. Pancho could not help but notice Tere’s beauty and thereby abandoned his life at sea to sweep young Tere off her feet, marrying her in 1969. Pancho and Tere eventually had three sons David Esteban, Francisco Esteban Junior, and Michael Esteban.

Tere is survived by their three sons and grandchildren: David Esteban, his wife Sandra Esteban and their daughter Jessica Esteban Rajkovacz; Franciso Esteban Junior; Michael Esteban and his daughters Jessica Esteban, Jasmine Esteban and finally, Tere’s great grandson Hunter Marinez.

Tere was all about family. Everyone was welcome in her home, and her house became a hub for countless family get togethers. Often her brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces would stop by for a bite to eat, to watch sports, or to play games at the table. Tere was very close to her mother and shared the same favorite color – purple. Tere was always up for a good road trip and often accompanied her mother when traveling. Tere was an excellent listener, who was soft-spoken, observant and while sometimes on the quiet side, she was very strong-willed. When Tere did chime in to conversations, it was with a great sense of humor or with a clever thought.

Tere enjoyed her ministry profoundly and spent a lot of her time teaching the Bible to others. Tere was someone who was long-suffering and never held a grudge. Tere was a devoted mother, a gentle sister, a caring aunt and loving grandma. Tere’s calm and mild manner is something that all will remember her by as she led a very peaceful life and was loving in her dealings with all. Psalm 37:11” But the meek will possess with the earth, and they will find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace”.