Estela Zepeda, beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt and friend, has passed away.

Estela left her home in Nicaragua to start a new life with her sister Flora and niece Anna.

She arrived in Santa Barbara full of hope in search of a new beginning, where her older sister and Estela only had each other to lean on.

Together they overcame and expanded their own families with children and grandchildren who had new dreams that were made possible because of all the sacrifices Estela and her sister had to make by leaving behind the only home they knew.

Raising her children Ana, Thomas and Lucero, as a single mom, Estela did all she could to provide for her children and shield them from feeling like they didn’t have enough.

She learned and moved forward in the world with a powerful presence and created her own community filled with resources and support. All who knew her felt her smile and genuine support.

We will forever love Estela and keep her memory alive by moving through the world with hope and joy. By being kind. Being forgiving. Always smiling. And saying yes to a good time filled with music.

Thank you, Mom, for all you did for us so we could dream bigger dreams, so we could feel safe making mistakes, and know we always had a home and a warm plate waiting for us.

“Tia, the memory that I will hold on to for the rest of my life is your warm voice saying ‘hola Mija’ no matter how much time had passed, I always felt the warmth of your love in your voice. I can picture your smile on the other side of that phone call, and it filled my heart every time. I will continue to honor your memory by loving all of my cousins and your grandbabies.”

Love, tu sobrina

Please give baby Luke a huge hug and kiss from all of us. We will forever love you both more than all the stars in the sky.