Estela Gonzalez Saldivar
Estela Gonzalez Saldivar, 86, of Freeport died Dec. 1, 2011, with her daughter by her side in Kingsland. She was born in Los Saenz on Dec. 30, 1924, to Candelario Gonzalez and Leonor Arredondo.
Her final days were spent with her family and The Windchime family she had touched in some small way.
She graduated from Rio Grande High School in Rio Grande City and attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos. In 1953, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Texas College of Art and Industries in Kingsville. While attending college, she met Jesus G. Saldivar of Kingsville, and they married on Sept. 30, 1950, in Los Saenz. They had two children: son Roel and daughter Sandra.
She was a teacher for 36 years, 24 of those instructing first grade in Room 2 at O.A. Fleming Elementary School in Freeport. She received a Distinguished Teacher award in 1965-1966 from Brazosport Independent School District. She retired from teaching in 1984.
In 1985, she opened successful dress boutique Fashion Flare in Freeport. She was the recipient of the 1994 Woman of the Year award from the Endeavor Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. She was cited for her outstanding contributions to the organization. She operated the dress shop until her final retirement in 2005.
She is a charter member of the Catholic Daughter’s of the Americas, Our Lady of the Brazos, serving numerous terms as past regent. She was a lifelong and active member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport.
Survivors include daughter Sandra Underwood and husband Keith of Tow; grandchildren Samantha Stacey and husband Steve of Houston, Roel Saldivar and wife Julie of Alvin, Rachell Underwood of Houston and Jessie Douglas Saldivar of Angleton; great-grandchildren Hunter and Luke Stacey, both of Houston; sisters Maxie Cantu of Falfurrias, Leonor Trevino and husband Heriberto of Brownsville and Anita Cantu of Falfurrias; brothers Encarnacion Gonzalez and wife Lourdes of Los Saenz, Candelario Gonzalez Jr. and wife Mary of Weslaco; and sister-in-law Petra Gonzalez of Los Saenz.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son; and brother Servando Gonzalez.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Windchime in Kingsland and Texas Home Health Hospice of Marble Falls, who cared, loved and prayed for her.
Visitation was Dec. 4 at Putnam Funeral Home in Kingsland and Dec. 5 at Lakewood Funeral Chapel in Lake Jackson. A service is 11 a.m. Dec. 6 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport. She will be buried next to her husband and son at Restwood Memorial Park in Lake Jackson.
An online guest register may be signed at www.putnamcares.com.
Local arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home, 145 Texas Ave. in Kingsland, (325) 388-0008.