Ester Maria Garcia

She was born on May 31st, 1937, in San Miguel, El Salvador, to her adoring parents José Vasquez and Leonor Argueta. While living in El Salvador, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in education and was a kindergarten teacher. In 1975, she immigrated to the United States, settling in New Jersey and becoming a U.S. citizen shortly thereafter. Throughout her adult life, she held multiple jobs in the hospitality industry.

Ester was an avid cook and loved learning new recipes. You couldn’t leave the home without being fed. She could be found watching FoodTv Network, Lidia’s Kitchen, and the Barefoot Contessa. She had a beautiful vegetable garden with her youngest son, and they grew tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and various herbs. She loved her Spanish music, especially Julio Iglesias, Raphael, Rocio Dúrcal, Isabel Pantoja, Juan Gabriel, and many boleros and mariachi songs. She was a faithful woman and prayed daily, especially to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz of El Salvador.

She leaves behind her three adoring children, her sons Jaime Hernandez and Nelson Hernandez, her daughter Melissa Pujols and her husband John, and her loving grandson, Matthew Pujols, all of Union.

A visitation for Ester will be held Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Center for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care in Ester’s name.

Fond memories, expressions of sympathy, or condolence messages may be shared at www.McCrackenFuneralHome.com for the family.