The youngest of seven children, Estella was born on August 14, 1944, to Aurelio and Alicia Lopez. She is survived by her children, Gilberto (Maria T.) Herrera, María Luisa (Lorenzo) Gallardo, María Luz Herrera. Grandchildren: Valerie Arlene Nieves, Gilberto Alejandro (Joy) Herrera, Christopher Thomas (Samantha) Herrera, Gilberto Joel Herrera; Jacob Gallardo, Gabriel (Jenah) Gallardo, Marc Adam Gallardo; Dianna Estella Herrera-Goudeau; Julio Christopher Herrera. Godchildren: Dolores E. Arellano, Gabriel Herrera, Joseph Carlos Montoya. Great-grandchildren (16), great-great-grandchildren (2), her sisters Maria Luisa Lopez, Lucy Ramirez, Mona Lopez, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Estella is preceded in death by her beloved youngest child, Roberto Joel Herrera, and siblings Lorenzo Lopez, Guadalupe Lara, Maria Elena Nava, and Consuelo Hayes.
Estella attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where she met and later married Gilberto O. Herrera. She attended El Paso Community College and achieved an Associate Degree in Gerontology. She went on to work for Lulac Project Amistad and later Texas - Adult Protective Services, as an investigator and case manager, where she investigated abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly and disabled. Estella retired in 2004 and dedicated the rest of her life to God, her family, and serving others. She was an adored mother, sister, aunt, godmother, cousin, and friend.
A devout Catholic, Estella was a parishioner at Santo Niño Jesus de Atocha Catholic Church for most of her life and considered her church community a second family. She led the parish bookstore ministry and enjoyed supporting many other church ministries over the years. She was a light in this world, pure love, with a prayerful heart, nurturing spirit, and wonderful sense of humor. She walked with incredible grace, compassion, and a servant’s heart. The love she gave will live on in the hearts of many. Estella now rests in the eternal embrace of our Lord Jesus Christ and her son, Roberto Joel Herrera.
Visitation will be Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 5:00 pm-10:00 pm with a rosary at 6:00 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Ave, El Paso, Texas, 79903. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 10:00 am at Santo Nino De Atocha Church, 210 S Clark Dr, El Paso, Texas, 79905 with committal to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, 401 S. Zaragoza Rd, El Paso, Texas, 79907.
