Maria Teresa Estay

Maria Teresa Menge de Estay was born on June 1st, 1937 to Alejandro Menge Biever and Raquel Cortes Hidalgo in the mining town of Maria Elena, Chile. She grew up in Santiago, Chile. In 1965 she met her future husband while vacationing in the U. S. She married Jose Domingo Estay Almonte on March 26, 1966. Their union resulted in the birth of four children- Monica, Andy, David, and Claudio.

The family traveled and moved because of her husband’s job. In 1972, the family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa. In South Africa, she became an enthusiast of wildlife. The family returned to Chile in 1974. In 1979, the family immigrated to the U.S. and lived in Denver, Colorado from 1980-1985. She then moved to New York after Domingo accepted a position with United Nations as a mining consultant. In 1995, she became widowed too young.

She relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2004 after becoming a grandmother to two grandsons. She lived her remaining years in Colorado helping to raise and dote on her grandchildren, Daniel and Taylor.

During her lifetime, she was a home maker and managed the home while her husband traveled abroad on job assignments. As a result of her loving nature, she became a second mother to her son Claudio’s childhood friends. She was an incredible cook and baker. Now that she is gone, we are copying down her recipes - her delicious legacy to us.

She was also well traveled. Some of her more memorable travels with her husband were to Torres del Paine national park in Chile, Brazil, South Africa, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. She traveled with her children as well. She visited Germany with Andy, France with Monica, Las Vegas with David, New Orleans with Claudio, and Taos with her son in law, Scott Simpson. One of her last and memorable trips was to the coast of Maine with her oldest son Andy and wife Miho Izumi Estay and youngest son Claudio and wife Loretta Carra-Estay. She enjoyed one last chance to walk barefoot in the beach and eat fresh seafood.

She was well read in Spanish and English. She loved the theater. While living in New York, she took advantage of purchasing unsold tickets at a discount to attend theater productions and Broadway shows.

Our mom was the most humble, selfless, honest, and sincere person we knew. She truly put family first. Loving mother to Monica, Andy, David and Claudio and adoring grandmother to Daniel and Taylor. Mother-in-law to Scott, Miho and Loretta. May she now rest in peace with our father Mingo.

We find comfort that our parents Domingo and Maria Teresa will finally rest together in peace. Their ashes will be mixed in a single, biodegradable urn. The family is planning to bury their ashes in San Luis, Colorado. A memorable spot in southern Colorado that always reminded our mother of Chile, our home country.

We wish to thank family and friends for all your condolences, love and support.

Sincerely,

Monica, Andy, Dave and Claudio Estay