Estela Castillo Esparza

Estela Castillo Esparza, 84, of Houston, TX passed away on May 16, 2023 at her home surrounded by family.  She was born in New Gulf, TX and later moved with her family to Corpus Christi, TX where she met her future husband.  After marrying, she and her husband Paul moved to Houston, TX to raise their family.

A devoted mother, Estela regularly took her children to the local library and became so familiar to staff, that she was offered a job with the City of Houston Library System.  She spent many years working at Staneker Branch and then Melcher Branch Libraries serving as a resource to the Hispanic community.  She received many awards and service recognitions before retiring from the City of Houston 28 years later. 

She shared a lifetime of love with her husband of 68 years and exemplified what love and commitment are, not only to her life partner, but to her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother that loved her family with all of her being and gave tirelessly of herself to guide and nurture them in their lives.

In her younger years, she loved spending time outdoors, creating insect terrariums for her kids and teaching them to enjoy the simplicity of a game of marbles or hopscotch. She liked fishing and crabbing in Clear Lake and Galveston with the family and practiced catch and release which was the result of a funny story that involved trying to cook crabs. She was an excellent gift giver, yet somehow always forgot to wrap the gifts, so you knew exactly who the twisted-up department store bag was from. She loved collecting cook books and recipes, yet didn’t actually like to cook (especially crabs). She was however famous for her real-deal fried chicken and enchiladas. She loved going to garage sales and antique shops and likely bought one too many knick-knacks because she felt obligated to buy “a little something to be polite” even if it was a one eared figurine.
She enjoyed going to the Coushatta casinos with her church group armed with optimism and determination to beat those slot machines, and she did on occasion! She loved playing games and at family gatherings, despite the moans and groans, everyone would somehow end up with Lotteria cards and pinto beans (if you know, you know). A skilled domino player, she earned the nickname of The Dominator, as she secretly relished beating family members during weekly games and smiled ever so sweetly while doing so.

She is predeceased by her parents Felix and Maria Castillo, brothers Baldomero (Wally) and Fernando Castillo, sisters Palymira Castillo and Clara Birmingham and son Anthony Castillo Esparza.  She is survived by husband of 68 years Paul Esparza, daughters Janet Esparza and Lora Esparza Leon, daughter in law Rosalinda Martinez, granddaughter Jasmine Esparza, grandson Michael Leon, great-grandson Parker Leon, sister Hortencia Morales, brother Felix Castillo and many nieces, nephews and friends.

“You are gone
but thank you for all these soft, sweet things you have left behind in my home
in my head
      in my heart …”
           – Nikita Gill

We will miss you every second of every day.  We will treasure your memory and love for all the days of our lives. Until we are together again, we will keep living each day as you taught us - with love, faith, strength and devotion to each other.

A celebration of her life will be held at Compean Funeral Home.