Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at the Artesia High School Auditorium, 215 S. 15th St., for Estella A. De la Rosa of Artesia.
De la Rosa, 68, passed away Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at her home, surrounded by her family.
Richard Leaton will officiate the services, with interment to follow at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Marcos Cabezuela, Gabriel Cabezuela, Jaime Huitron, Ceasar Huitron, Gino Pena Jr., Roque Gonzales, Steven Balencia and Fred Balencia.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday at Terpening & Son Mortuary.
Estella was born May 20, 1950, in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico, the daughter of Cruz Arenivas and Elvira (Montes) Mendoza. She was a longtime Artesia resident after moving here as a child in 1963 from Mexico.
On Dec. 21, 1973, she married David De la Rosa Sr. in Carlsbad.
Estella was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was employed as a seamstress for Levi Strauss Co. in Roswell and was a member of the Presidents Club for the duration of her employment of more than 25 years. She left Levi to care for her beautiful children, to which she dedicated her entire life.
She loved music and especially mariachi music. She loved to sing and amazed her listeners by how she managed to blend her voice right along with the music and sound like part of the group. Estella loved to cook, bake, and feed huge crowds. Some of her recipes have become prized possessions of family members. Her smile was beautiful, and her presence was a gift to all. She leaves her family with beautiful memories and funny stories that will be cherished for eternity.
Survivors include son David DeLaRosa and wife Dana of Artesia; daughters Manuela Pena and husband Gino of Roswell, and Marissa Villa and husband Ivan of Artesia; granddaughter Emily Vaughn and husband Gary of Artesia; grandchildren Gino Pena Jr., Cora Pena, Jocelyn DeLaRosa, Mayra Villa, Mikayla Pena, Addison Pena and Aiden Pena; great-grandchildren Miley Vaughn, Kaidynce Vaughn and Gino Pena III; and her brothers and sisters, Anastacio Arenivas, Ipidia Hernandez, Rosa Gonzales, Adela Cabezuela, Fabian Arenivas, Maria Villareal, Martina Mendoza and Juana Mendoza.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David De la Rosa Sr., on March 23, 1998; and her father, Cruz Arenivas.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.
