Estella R. Martinez

Estella Rangel Martinez, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt went to meet her Heavenly Father on December 6, 2020 at the age of 92 years after a long illness. Estella was a native of San Antonio, having been born on June 1, 1928. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Conrado, her parents, Enrique Rangel and Petra Herrera Ximenez, sister, Alicia Rangel, brothers, Enrique R. (“Rudy”) Rangel and Jose A. Rangel, in-laws, Silvestre and Enedina Martinez, and numerous other relatives and friends. She is survived by her children: Michael (Estella) Martinez, Martha (Paul) Schulz and Mary Alice Martinez; grandchildren: Christopher (Edward); Laura (Will), Tiffany (JT), Lisa, Nicholas (Griselda) and Luke, and great-grandchildren: Madeleine, Noah, Zoey, Elena and Benjamin; her brother, Enrique “Henry” Rangel (Lupe), a brother-in-law, as well as numerous sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and cousins.

It was at San Fernando Cathedral where she met her husband of 54 years and where they were married in 1957. Together they built a strong, devoted and faithful life to the Church. Estella and Conrado were founding parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church where they both served in many ministries. The Altar Society was one ministry very dear to Estella’s heart. She spent many years cleaning the sanctuary and vestments and decorating for the various liturgical seasons. Estella was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, Council 3345 and served in many volunteer roles at St. Ann’s Catholic School, Holy Cross High School and Blessed Sacrament Academy. She and her husband later became parishioners of St. Luke Catholic Church. She was a devoted mother to her three children but her favorite title of all time was grandma to her six grandchildren whom she cared for until they entered grade school. Although her illness had already progressed when her great-grandchildren were born, her face always lit up when they visited her and she always tried her best to hold them.

The family will receive family and friends on Sunday, December 27, 2020 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Porter Loring on McCullough. A rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. A Mass of Celebration will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church. All current COVID-19 regulations of the San Antonio Archdiocese will be enforced, requiring every participant to wear a mask throughout the Mass. A private interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will be held after the Mass.

The family would like to thank the nurses and chaplains of Christus Santa Rosa Hospice as well as Rachel Silva, Sonia Rodriguez, Bianca Perez, Lidia Diaz, Terri Martinez, Tiffany Tijerina, Jeannette Martinez and William Warrick, her caregivers who lovingly cared for their mother in her final years.