A longtime resident of Cressey, CA, Esther was a devoted mother of six: Paul Jr., Eleanor, Andrew, Carolyn, Gilbert, and Sobeida. Her legacy continues through her 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Esther was a dedicated homemaker who also worked at the Cressey Store and Glasow’s Jewelry Store in Livingston. Later in life, she found fulfillment in serving as a caregiver to others.
She cherished her time traveling to Yuma, Arizona, joining fellow snowbirds and friends each year and was able to visit twice with her family in Germany. While raising her children, she devoted time to the Lord, cleaning the floors and oiling the pews of Saint Jude’s Church in Livingston, mentoring her children in the ways a loving Christian can help their community.
One of her favorite pastimes was yard sailing—always finding joy in life’s hidden treasures. Esther saw beauty in the simplest things, especially flowers, rocks, and hummingbirds. She had a deep love for the color red, often saying, “Red is life.”
Esther is preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Rubalcava; sons Paul Jr. and Andrew; daughter Carolyn Aguilar; granddaughter Christina Aguilar; grandson Gabriel Rodriguez and her second husband, Oliver Alves.
She is lovingly survived by her daughter Eleanor Rodriguez (Eli), son Gilbert Rubalcava (Debbie), and daughter Sobeida Lands, as well as her many grandchildren and extended family.
Esther's love, warmth, and wisdom will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. with recitation of the rosary at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. at Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 330 Franci Street, Livingston, CA. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 260 West Childs Avenue, Merced, CA.
