Esther passed away on December 27th, 2024
Esther, lovingly known as “Cathy” or “Momo Cathy,” passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on December 27, 2024, at the age of 79. Born in Austin, Texas on September 1, 1945, to Mexican immigrants Reyes and Esther De La Cruz, Esther was a first-generation American deeply rooted in the East Austin Community. Esther was a proud Govalle Roadrunner, Allan Bulldog, and, like her two sons, Johnston Ram. As the first in her family to graduate high school, Esther was admired for her personal and professional accomplishments, independence, and dedication to her family. Following her graduation in 1964, she began a 31-year career with the City of Austin, serving in various administrative positions at health clinics throughout East Austin. For Esther, there was no place like home. Throughout her life, she was blessed to call three places her home: Thompson Street, Linden Street, and John’s house. Her home on Linden was a place she could truly call her own, where she literally sowed her seeds and cultivated her garden of tulips, roses, and memories. Despite having her own home just down the street, she cherished spending time at her family home on Thompson Street. It was there she found joy in being with her mother, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. As an adult, Esther was fortunate to experience love twice, which brought her the two greatest joys of her life: her sons. In 1971, she welcomed her first son, Robert Wilson, and in 1983, she was blessed with her second son, John De La Cruz Sr. As her family grew, Esther discovered a new joy in being a grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and eagerly looked forward to taking care of them, seeing them when they’d come home from school, and chatting with them on the phone—something she embraced even more as they got their own cell phones. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Esther embarked on a long, difficult, and often isolating journey. She found comfort by moving to Buda with her son John and his family, who lovingly cared for her as she battled the physical and mental changes overcoming her. These struggles taught us the importance of compassion and understanding. Despite the challenges she faced, there were many moments when Esther allowed us to see her light. Whether through a rare smile, a shared memory, or a heartfelt conversation, those moments will stay with us forever. Though we mourn the loss of Esther, we find comfort in knowing that her pain has ended. Esther leaves behind her beloved sons Robert (Victoria) and John Sr. (Erica); grandchildren Rodney, Chelsea, Sean, Andre, John Jr., Immanuel, Beyonca, Abigail, and Isabella; great-grandchildren Eli, Noah, Michael, and Ximena; sisters Frances Gonzales, Irene “Nene”, Linda, and Rosalinda “Dodie” Reyna (Jesse), and many nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly. Esther was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Angel, Gilbert, Fidel "Billy”, Pedro “Pete”, and Rodolfo "Rudy”, and nephew Joey. We extend our deepest gratitude to Esther’s care team at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice—Gwen, Bruce, Naiviv, Bea, and Gracie—for their unwavering support and kindness. We also thank Ashley for the dedicated care she provided, allowing our mom to spend her remaining time in her beloved home on Linden Street. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Mission Funeral Home – East Austin, 1615 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1206 E. 9th Street, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S IH 35 Frontage Road, Austin, Texas.
