Stella Lucero

Services are scheduled for Monday, August 26, 2019, at 10 am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, to celebrate the long and beautiful life of Estela Reyes Lucero.  Estela was called home on the morning of August 14, 2019, to be reunited with the love of her life, Tony.

Estela was born on September 5, 1930 to Jesus Reyes Macedo and Luz Reyes Espinoza, in Mexico City, DF, Mexico. She had two sisters; Esperanza and Lucina, and a brother; Ricardo, all who preceded her in death.

Estela came to the United States at a young age to work and with a desire to become a citizen, in the early 1950’s. She began her life in the States working as a nanny in Carlsbad, NM. While working as a nanny, she was asked to come to Roswell to babysit. It was here in Roswell, at the home of Johnny and Julia Otero, that she met the love of her life- Antonio “Tony” B. Lucero. At the time, she did not yet know this man would be her forever love. Antonio was practicing with his band at the Otero home, when he took one look at her and was smitten by her “movie star good looks”. It was at that moment he proclaimed that she would one day be his wife. Estela had no interest in him, but with a bit of charm and perseverance, he swept her off her feet and made her his beautiful bride on August 12, 1953. After they married, she took classes to learn English and to become a citizen, which she took much pride in, and her newfound citizenship was very special to her. She took great pride in her being an American citizen, and a special love and appreciation for her country.

Estela had seven children; Anthony S. Lucero of Roswell, NM, and his children Anthony S. Lucero II, and Laura J. Lucero-Carrillo and husband, Chris; Richard D. Lucero, of Roswell, NM, and his son Derek Scifres; Stella M. Bacca and husband John Bacca, of Las Cruces; Henry R. Lucero and ex-wife Janette Lucero, of Roswell, NM, and their two children Joshua D. Lucero and wife, Thayer,  and Keenan Lucero and wife, Savannah; Anna V. Lucero, of Albuquerque, NM; Gina Dwyer and husband Chuck, of Roswell, NM, and her son Eric. A. Chavez; and Collette Lucero and fiancé, Matt Thompson, of Roswell, NM, and her daughter, Danielle M. Urquides and her partner Donald L. Ross, Jr., both of whom spent the last eight years caring for Estela.  She is also survived by a number of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  She also leaves her little canine companion of the last seven years, Sadie, who she loved and who loved her beyond measure.

In addition to her parents and siblings, Estela was preceded in death by the love of her life, Tony, with whom she had spent 59 years of marriage, and is now celebrating 66 years in heaven. She was also preceded in death by her sons, Anthony S. Lucero, Jr., and Henry R. Lucero.  She is now reunited with her loves eternally.

Estela was a beautiful, strong, independent woman who was always a hard worker, and lived to take care of any and all who would let her, family and beyond. She and Tony worked hard to provide a good life for their family and did so until they could no longer. Her happiness came from making sure everyone was taken care of; cooking for her children on the weekends, taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and generally helping with all she could, no matter what the need, even up until her final days. She was a one of a kind woman, and she instilled her wonderful attributes into all of her children.

The Lucero family would like to extend an extra special thank you to her granddaughter Danielle Urquides, who with assistance from her partner, Donny Ross, and her children, Braidon and Avery, sacrificed everything in the last eight years of their lives to care for her grandmother, around the clock every day, and keep her in the comfort of her home until her last day, as Estela wished. They would also like to thank the wonderful team at Encompass Hospice, especially Catrina, Jimmie, April, Dr. Wulf, and Chris. Thank you for the optimal care, being so kind and taking such good care of Estela. You will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

The Day God Took You Home

“A million times

I’ve needed you

A million times I’ve cried,

If love alone

Could have saved you

You never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place,

No one else could ever fill.

It broke my heart to lose you,

But you didn’t go alone

Part of me went with you,

The day God took you home.”