Esther Mendiola Lopez

Esther Mendiola Lopez passed away peacefully with her family by her side on August 23, 2024 at Rio Grande Regional Hospital. From humble beginnings in Starr County to her final days in McAllen, Esther lived with an indomitable spirit and strong sense of entrepreneurship. During the early 1950’s Esther started her first job at the well-known Martins Pharmacy on Maple and North Main Street. She worked, as they called it in those days, as a “soda jerk”. Once she married, she and her husband, Ruben Lopez journeyed to Chicago to start their life together. She enjoyed her position at her workplace, Remington Steel. They loved, and often would regale their years in Chicago during the Camelot Era. As their family grew and became weary of shoveling snow, they returned home to warmer weather. During the 70’s & 80’s she opened and operated “Micki Mouse Daycare” along with her eldest daughter, Diana. After she was approached about initiating an adult foster care home for the disabled and homeless, she accepted the challenge and succeeded. She later received an award from then Mayor Othal Brand and the City of McAllen for the success of this endeavor. During the late 90’s she purchased “Quamasia Community Home”, one of the first adult assisted living homes in our area which she operated for 10 years. She later worked in our family’s Denny’s business at the Sharyland location for several years. While she undertook all these challenges listed, she managed her and her husband’s rental properties. You can see she loved the “hustle and bustle” of life. Often, she would say that working was her hobby, “So what would I do if I retired?”. True to form, she was working at her desk at home on her last night. A life of nearly 90 years spent manifesting her dreams and eternally devoted to her family. Esther was preceded in death by the father of her four children Ruben Lopez, her parents Francisco and Gabriela Mendiola and her beloved sisters Olga Mendiola (infant) and Elma Lopez as well as her beloved brother Francisco “Frank” Mendiola Jr. Left to cherish her memory, her children, Diana (Michael) Gentzel, Debra L. Britton, Gigi L. McGowen, Charles R. (Angela) Lopez. Grandchildren, Lisa R. (Taylor) Brown, Gauge Gonzalez, Mariano (Deanna) Resendez, Gigi Pilar Gonzalez, Alexandra Britton, Harris Britton and Ryan Lopez. Great grandchildren Gwendalyn, Caliber, Emilia, Sophia, Sebastian and Nicolas as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to her assistants Rosalinda G. Lopez, Adelaido “Lalo” Martinez, Agapita “Pita” Gonzalez and Sonia Delagarza for their care, kindness and patience. The family would also like to thank her long-time physicians Dr. Joel Solis, Dr. Guillermo Salinas and Dr. Suresh Ratnam, P.A. Martha C. Medina, N.P. Alice Guzman and special thanks to Irvin Munoz at Valley Medical Arts Clinic. We are thankful for the outstanding care provided over the years by Rio Grande Regional Hospital, staff and CNO Kathy Dassler. Additionally, the family thanks Healthcare Unlimited for the gentle and thoughtful provider services. Lastly, we would like to thank Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and staff for their sincere kindness and support. The family has entrusted Kreidler funeral Home with the arrangements. Visitation will be Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with the rosary at 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be Friday August 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, burial will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

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Esther Mendiola Lopez

August 23, 2024