She received a kidney transplant from her daughter 15 years ago, and then dedicated her life to the local transplant donor network, working to encourage organ donation.
Her husband, Gilbert talked with Action News about how he hopes she will be remembered.
Gilbert Padilla, Esther's husband said, "I remember her as an activist and a good human being. She wasn't too much into material stuff or big homes, she gave up her job, her car and her bank account to work for farmworkers and like I said, she wanted to advocate for the poor."
Esther passed away on Wednesday at the age of 69. Memorial services begin Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at Saint Alphonsus Church with a viewing and rosary.
Funeral mass will be Monday morning, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a burial at Saint Peters Cemetery.
The public is welcome to attend.
