Esther M. Madrid

Esther Madrid of Plano, TX passed away peacefully at home Thursday night September 30th, 2010. Mrs. Madrid was 86 years old and died after an evening spent with a gathering of loving family members that included her husband, some of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Esther Meraz was born one of seven children to Juan D. and Rosa T. Meraz on July 7, 1924 in Tucumcari, NM. As a schoolgirl in Tucumcari, she met the love of her life and future husband – a classmate named Joseph (Joe) Madrid. Esther graduated from Tucumcari High School in 1944 and began working for the local Credit Union, Bank, and Loan Office in Tucumcari. These jobs would be the start of a career spent in the accounting field. After several years of dating, Joe and Esther married in 1945 and spent 65 happy years together. In 1951, Mr. and Mrs. Madrid moved to El Paso, TX and then to Chaparral, NM in 1970. The move to Texas was initially spent as a stay at home mom for Esther until she accepted a Civil Service Accountant position at White Sands Missile Range in 1956. She retired from civil service as the Chief of Housing for WSMR in 1989.

Upon retirement, Esther was able to fully immerse herself into life as a homemaker and active member of her church, St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Together with Joe, she became an integral piece of what was then a small, but growing church community. By extension, she further came to be viewed as a pillar of the entire community of Chaparral, and was frequently sought out for advice, help, and friendship by innumerable locals over the years.

After enduring years of pleas from family in North Texas to relocate to the Dallas area, Joe and Esther finally gave in and moved to Plano on July 1st, 2006. While the move took her away from a son and grandkids in New Mexico, it afforded Esther the opportunity to be near and develop close ties to her two great grandsons in Plano. The addition of a third great grandson in November of 2009 was a huge thrill for her, and she adored her time spent with all three of them over her final months, weeks, and days.

Those who knew and loved her remember Esther as a fiery, tell it like it is person, whose small stature belied her toughness. Though tough, she was also a doting grandmother and great grandmother who was not opposed to spoiling the kids from time to time. As everyone who grew up around her knows, Esther was a world class provider of back-scratches. She was an amazing cook and firm believer that as long as Roger Staubach was in the game, the Cowboys were never out of it. Most importantly, Esther was a firm believer in God, and lived her life in a manner which reflected that. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is resting easy now in His presence.

Mrs. Madrid is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Juan T. Meraz, brothers Samuel Meraz, Juan Meraz, Enrique Meraz, as well as sisters Beatriz Moreno and Hortencia Ortega. She is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Joseph G. Madrid of Plano, sister Rosa Montoya of Dallas, daughter Gloria Bazan of Plano, sons Ruben Madrid of Plano, and Willie Madrid of Chaparral, NM, granddaughters Esperanza Tavarez and Ester Maria Tavarez of Plano, and Alyssa Madrid and Briana Madrid of Chaparral, NM, grandsons Michael Rodarte of Chaparral, NM, Rhian Madrid of Phoenix, AZ, Michael Bazan of Austin, Rafael Tavarez of Houston, and great grandsons Miguel “Miguelito” Roberto Alvarez, Adam Matthews, Jr., and Aaron Tavarez, all of Plano. In addition, She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to aides Martha McClanahan and Samuel Magangi, as well as nurses Rene Bulen and Lynn Norton of Odyssey Healthcare for their assistance, care, and compassion over the last few months. Their presence was a great help. Heartfelt thanks, as well, to Dr. Kuldeep Singh, who brightened Esther’s time in the hospital with his big smile and warm manner in his dealings with her. The entire family owes an eternal debt of gratitude to all of these wonderful health care professionals.

Services will begin with a viewing on Thursday, October 7th at 3 PM followed by a Rosary Service at 6 PM at the Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 8011 Frankford Rd. Dallas, TX 75252. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, October 8th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, TX 75023. A reception will immediately follow the funeral mass, with a procession to the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery commencing at approximately 12:15, for final burial at 1:30 PM.