Stella Lucero

A Celebration of Love and Selflessness - We are all here today with heavy hearts, but I know my mother, our beloved Stella Lucero, would want us to celebrate her incredible life. She always told us not to feel bad when this day came, saying she'd lived a good life. I believe that now more than ever, and I hope we can all find comfort in that today.

As her son, I can tell you that my brothers and I—Jonathan, Michael, and I, Jeffrey—were the absolute center of her world. She had a brilliant career ahead of her, but she gave it all up, without a second thought, to raise her three boys. That was the essence of her character: sacrifice and unconditional love. She was our first and most dedicated coach, a constant presence at every game, and always the one to show up when everyone else had left.

Life handed her many hardships, especially after the divorce. Suddenly, she was working multiple jobs, doing whatever it took to keep us afloat and make ends meet. It was never easy, but she never let us see her struggle. She did it all with a deep sense of commitment, never remarrying because she truly believed in the sacredness of marriage.

A Giver's Heart - My mother had a giving heart that was truly beyond measure. She would literally go beyond her capability to make others happy, always willing to take less so her family—all of us—could have more.This generosity extended to her large, loving family of nine siblings—three brothers and six sisters—including her beloved twin. She cherished them all. Even when she had little, she gave everything. I always wished I could have given her a more luxurious life, but that's not what she needed. Simple things made her happy: a good game of bingo, diving into a challenging puzzle, watching her favorite religious shows, and, of course, the sheer joy of the holidays.

She taught us the value of family and support through her actions. When she lost her home, it was my brother, Michael, who took her in.She always spoke of him with such high praise and gratitude—a testament to the loving bond she nurtured with all of us.

The Simple Joys -My mom had her simple joys. If you knew her, you knew her signature dark reddish hair color—a bit of flair she loved. You knew the music of her time was always playing or being watched. And, of course, you knew about her famous tortillas. They were the best, a taste of home and a tangible expression of her love.

Later in life, her heart found even more love with her three grandchildren. They were a source of incredible happiness and yet another group she was determined to give everything to. They are her legacy of love, and she leaves them knowing how much she was adored.

We, her sons, made sure she knew before she left us. We told her she did her job. We told her we were proud—immensely proud—of everything she accomplished in a life that asked so much of her.

Rest in Peace - My mother suffered a great deal at the end with her medical issues.But I find comfort in my faith, believing that the Lord welcomed her , with open arms, saying she had shown so much love and had suffered enough. She is now relieved of all pain.

The only pain that remains is the one we, the survivors, feel. We miss such a special, giving person, but we are so much better for having been loved by her.

So let’s remember her warmth, her strength, her deep faith, and the countless ways she sacrificed for us. Let us honor her by carrying her selfless love forward in our own lives.

Thank you, Mom. We love you.