Our beautiful and beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother Estella passed away on Dec. 8, 2025, at Cottage Hospital. She was 98 years old. She has now gone on to be with the Lord.

She was born in Cambria, California, on Oct. 21, 1927 to Pedro Ruan and Aurora Corral.

As a child, she moved back with her parents to Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango, Mexico.

Then at the age of 17, she moved to Santa Barbara, where she met Tony Chavez and got married in 1947. They were married for 54 wonderful years, until he passed away in 2001.

Estella wasn’t just a homemaker, she was a talented seamstress who made many wedding dresses, maid of honor dresses, quinceañera and fiesta dresses. She was always crocheting or knitting blankets, children clothing, and even a wedding dress.

Everything she did was done with love and professionalism. She also worked as an assembler for DAC Corporation until her retirement. She is much loved and will be missed tremendously.

Estella was preceded in death by her brother Adalberto Amador Ruan; sisters Lucilla Avina, Emma Macias, and Delia Campos.

Estella is survived by her children Elba Polito (Francisco), Charles Chavez (Mary), Lorena Flores (George), and Richard Chavez (Yolanda); and her youngest sister Graciela Bushman who lives in Canada.

Also surviving here are 12 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces nephews, cousins and friends.

Our family extends our deepest thanks and gratitude to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s doctors, nurses, chaplains and staff for their wonderful support.

As per Estella wishes:
Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, and Mass at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 227 N. Nopal St., Santa Barbara. Following Mass, burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, 199 N. Hope Ave., Santa Barbara.