Esther E. Nunez

Esther Ernestina Nunez was born June 27, 1933. On January 11, 1952, she married the love of her life, Mario Nunez Sr., and together they spent 74 beautiful years side by side while raising seven children.

Esther was a loving military wife who followed her husband from country to country and state to state until they finally settled in San Pedro, California. Together, Esther and Mario built a beautiful life and a family that would continue to grow for generations.

Esther became a grandmother to 21 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Her family was everything to her. She was known for hosting big holiday celebrations in her home every year and never turning anyone away. If you came to her home with a friend on Christmas Eve, she always made sure to have extra gifts on hand so they would have something to open with the rest of the family.

Esther had a special talent for making everyone who walked into her life feel like family. Her home was always warm and filled with love. She never cared if the kids made a mess, as long as they were making long-lasting memories. She loved holding and spoiling any baby she came in contact with, and she had a way of making everyone around her feel loved and welcomed.

Esther loved camping, doing crafts, and shopping. Her famous line to Mario was, “It’s so cute!”—which usually meant he was going to have to buy her whatever she had decided was cute.

Esther had six boys and one girl: Bernadette, Mark, Anthony, Martin, Alexander, Bruce, and Mario Jr. She loved and adored her children more than anything in the world. A smile never left her face when her children were around. Her family was her greatest joy.

Esther and Mario loved telling stories together about their years traveling with the Army and all the friends they made along the way. They especially loved telling the story of how they were just a couple of teenagers when they met and ran away together. What was supposed to be a simple day of going to see a movie turned into the beginning of a lifetime together. They ran off, got married, and never looked back.

Their story was a true love story—one that lasted 74 years.

Esther will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her and sharing time with her. The love she gave so freely, the memories she created, and the warmth she brought into every room will continue to live on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and everyone else whose life she touched.

Her home may be quiet now, but the love she filled it with will never leave.

Esther’s love will live on in all of our hearts and in the memories we will carry with us forever.