Esther Lujan

A rosary is scheduled for 7pm, Thursday September 18, 2014 at St. Johns Catholic Church for Esther Lopez Lujan, 89, who passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Funeral mass is scheduled for 10 am, Friday, September 19, 2014 also at St. Johns Catholic Church with Father Charlie Martinez of St. Peters Catholic Church conducting the services. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Esther was born December 15, 1924 in Roswell, NM to Jose Lopez and Senaida Medina. Her parents preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death are her husband Abel F. Lujan brothers Pilar Lopez, Lencho Villescas sisters Andrea Jaramillo, Geneva Munoz and Regina Torres soninlaw Morris Paliwoda and her very dear friend Aurelia Lela Garcia.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Olivia Vallejos and husband Richard of Roswell, NM and Angie Paliwoda of Huntington Beach, CA son David Lujan of Albuquerque, NM daughterinlaw Gerri Zamora sister Josephina Sedillo grandchildren Loretta Candelaria and husband Tommy, Renee Fitts and husband Rusty, Alicia Maestas and husband George, Ted Apodaca and wife Angela, Troy Apodaca, Esperanza Lujan, Joaquin Lujan and wife Monica and Esteban Lujan great grandchildren Anadina Vallejos, Amanda Lueras, Olivia Herrera, Taylor Fitts, Ethan Fitts, Matthew Maestas, Jacob Maestas, Dylan Apodaca, Madison Apodaca, Aidan Apodaca, Evan Apodaca, Ryan Apodaca, Zia Lujan and Mateo Lujan and greatgreat grandchildren Benjamin Lueras and Thomas Lueras.

Esther lived her young adult life in Long Beach, California where she worked in a VA hospital for many years. After her retirement she and her husband moved back to Roswell to be closer to family. Esther prided herself in being strong in her faith and always being there for her family whenever needed. She enjoyed attending many family functions and events with her friends over the years. Esther was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, where she and her granddaughters would work the snack bar on Bingo nights. She also help participate in delivering Communion to those who were home bound. One of Esthers proudest moments is when her first great granddaughter made five generations of living women in her family in 1979. She was an avid reader and enjoyed going to the movies. Esther always bestowed great attributes in teaching her family to be kind to others and to appreciate everything they had. Her generous nature, caring smile and warm sweet voice will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those serving as pallbearers are Tommy Candelaria, Rusty Fitts, Ted Apodaca, Troy Apodaca, Joaquin Lujan and Ben Lueras. Honorary pallbearers are Esteban Lujan and all of her great grandchildren and greatgreat grandchildren.

The family would like to give special thanks to neighbors Lauren and Brad Newton, Maria Acosta and Margaret Darrough for their special care and friendship.

A Tribute to Our Mother

The day God called you home,
In tears we saw you sinking
And watched you fade away.
Our hearts were broken,
We wanted you to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful from pain, we were at ease.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.

We Love You Mom

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
8:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Rosary

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, September 18, 2014
7:00 pm

Funeral Mass

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, September 19, 2014
10:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203