Esther Peña

Esther is preceded in death by her mother Clemencia Vera Perez and her father Victor S. Perez, her husband, Benito R. Peña, Sr. and daughter, Irma Peña, and her brothers, Gilbert Perez, Richard Perez, Miguel Perez, Robert Perez, Jesse Perez, Jose (Joe) L. Perez, her sister, Eva Gonzales.

Esther is survived by her loving family, Daughters, Yolanda P. Flores, widow of Hugo Henry T. Flores, Olga Perez, husband Gilbert Perez, Elizabeth (Lisa) Villanueva, fiancé Marcos Montes. Patricia (Patty) Espinosa and husband Ernest Espinosa Jr., Son, Benito (Benny) Peña Jr., wife Margaret Peña, and surviving sister, Esperanza Perez-Rocha.

Esther had 8 grandchildren Debra Ann Flores, Cynthia Marie Flores-Fuentes and husband Mario Isaac Fuentes, Angela Perez-Taylor and husband Rob Taylor, Yvonne Kelso (Bon Bon) and husband Trevor Kelso, Jesse John (JJ) Villanueva, wife Laura Villanueva and Vanessa Villanueva Zepeda, husband, David Zepeda. Justine Payne and husband Aundrae Payne and Josten Peña and wife Sky Peña; 15 Great-Grandchildren Matthew and Michaela Espinosa, Thalia and Jaxson Taylor, Makakoa (Koa), Makali’i, (Li’i), Lincoln Alexander and Isabella (Bella) Villanueva, Ty and Juniper Kelso, Jayden and Devin Payne, Tristan Noah, David Preston, and Ethan Garrett Zepeda; as well as numerous nephews and nieces that loved and adored their Tia Esther to include a host of cousins and friends who shared in her joyful spirit.

In her younger years, Esther belonged to a Sewing Club at St. Alphonso Church. This is where she learned to sew and would love to make bridal gowns for weddings and beautiful dresses for herself and daughters. She was a member of the Fox Tech Alumni and would attend several reunion events and special holiday parties. She devoted 35 years of her life working alongside her husband at KENS-5 restaurant Benny’s Place. Everyone from Dan Cook, Jud Ashmore, Chris Marrou, to name a few of Channel 5 News Reporters loved her authentic Mexican cooking and famous homemade hot sauce. She retired from the San Antonio Express-News as a Customer Service Representative.

Esther loved to travel. She went on 20+ cruises, 10+ Train trips, and numerous flight trips from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, California, New York, Chicago, and many more states. She also traveled internationally to Canada, Mexico, Rome, Holland, and Germany to name a few.

Esther enjoyed gardening and had a great green thumb. You could always count on her to help you replant flowers to larger pots & instantly the flowers would bloom beautifully.

In her spare time, she would enjoy spending time with her BINGO friends and cousins. Where she celebrated many special events and provided the best Christmas cookies and chicken salad sandwiches that she will always be remembered for.

Esther took special joy in preparing well homemade meals for her family and friends and finding special gifts to celebrate every season to include birthdays and anniversaries. She was an awesome host and expected everyone to leave her home with a full belly and felt welcomed. It was very important for her to attend all birthdays, children’s and grandchildren’s school events, football games, band concerts and graduations both near and far.

Those who knew Esther would share with you, if there was a dance floor, she was on it. She loved all types of music- from Tejano, Country, and a little bit of Rock and Roll.

Although Esther’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, her spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us. May her memory be a blessing, and may we carry forth her legacy of love and compassion in all that we do. We will all miss Esther, but we take comfort in the knowledge that we will see her again through the hope of the Resurrection that Jesus promised. Esther, your light will forever shine brightly in our hearts forever.

A visitation for Esther will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with 6:30 PM prayer service at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258. A graveside service will occur Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Mission Park South, 1700 SE Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214. The family kindly asks for you to wear her favorite color purple on either day in honor of Esther.