Estela Contreras Herrera

Estela C. Herrera, age 67, loving mother and grandmother, and partner of 47 years to Rosendo Rodriguez, gained her wings and was unexpectedly called into heaven on January 5, 2025. She was born in 1957 and grew up in Anthony, NM, surrounded by her large family including her parents, aunts, uncles, several siblings, and an expanding family of nieces and nephews. Estela was known for her everlasting positive attitude towards life. She believed every day given by God above ground was a blessing. She always saw the best in people and at the very least, made an acquaintance when she was out and about, sharing her loving spirit and smile. 

She met Rosendo at the age of 20, and the two went on to build a life together. She became a mother at the age of 26, and it was what she took the greatest pride in, making it her number one priority. As a mother, she was everything one could want and ask; loving, nurturing, patient, kind, supportive, and gave the best advice. At the age of 31, Estela became paralyzed but that didn't hold her back from life to the very fullest; hosting holiday get-togethers, never missing any of her daughter's school plays or recitals, baking, cleaning house, and enjoyed shopping in town, always meeting new people. However, it was her granddaughter, Savanna, born in 2003, that became the light of her life, and fulfilled her heart with happiness and peace. Just as she had been as a mother, Estela exceeded as a grandmother. She enjoyed reading Savanna bedtime stories while imitating character voices to make her granddaughter laugh, tea parties, sharing coffee or hot chocolate over talks, card games, never missing her granddaughter's high school choir performances, staying in and having movie nights filled with snacks and Disney and comedy movies. Not a day passed that the two didn't give each other hugs, kisses, and exchange several "I Love You's" throughout the day. Estela went on to see her granddaughter graduate from Las Cruces High School in 2003 and her daughter become a nurse in 2018, which are the two things she always talked about wanting to see. 

Estela was known for her love of classic 70's rock and country music, especially George Strait. She would always ask someone to dance with her, usually her granddaughter, when George Strait was heard on the radio. Her favorite outing included one day a month that she, her granddaughter, and daughter, would go out to dinner and catch a movie in theaters. When Estela wasn't out shopping, she loved making miniature crafts, collecting stickers, using multi-colored pens to write and decorate any canvas she could find, writing, watching Spanish novelas, and enjoyed spending time with her cat, Stormi. She loved simple days like staying in and playing "Old Maid" and "Crazy Eights", or board games with her daughter and granddaughter while they watched "Three's Company" reruns. 

She is missed dearly by her immediate family, Lorena and Savanna, her partner Rosendo, and all those she left behind; survived by one brother and 4 sisters, as well as the remainder of her extended family of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by both her parents, Presciliano Herrera and Rodolfa Herrera, as well as 2 sisters and 2 brothers. In honor of respecting Estela's wishes, no services will take place and she will be cremated and brought home with her daughter.