Mary Margaret Estrada
March 26, 1921 - February 20, 2018
Mary Margaret Estrada, 96, beloved mother and grandmother,
passed away on February 20, 2018 at Reston Hospital Center in northern
Virginia. She is survived by her son and
daughter-in-law, Bruce and Mary Anna Ramirez of Herndon, VA and grandsons
Michael of Kila, MT, John of New Delhi India and David of San Antonio, TX;
stepsons Tom Estrada of Eureka, CA and Charles Estrada of Burbank, CA and his
children Jesse and Sarah Beth of Simi Valley, CA and Susan of Albuquerque, NM; and
sisters Barbara Guanche and Rosemary Tortes of Valle Vista, CA. She was predeceased by her second husband
Thomas Estrada, stepson Frank Estrada, parents Albert and Mary Silvas, brother George
Silvas and first spouse Jesus Ramirez.
Born March 26, 1921 in Indio, CA she grew up in Indian
Canyon on the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians reservation. A graduate of the Hemet High School class of
1939 and Riverside Junior College, she attended nursing school prior to
enlisting in the Women’s Army Corps during WWII where she achieved the rank of sergeant. She worked for many years at the Gilman Hot
Springs resort and later the Valle Vista Store.
An avid golfer, she belonged to several women golf clubs as well as the
veteran women golfers’ association. She was
an ardent supporter of the Women in Military Service For America Memorial and
the National Museum of the American Indian. She and Thomas traveled extensively after
retirement visiting countries on several continents. She made her home with her son’s family later
in life and greatly enjoyed the Herndon Harbor Adult Day Health Center and the
opportunity to socialize, dance, sing and take part in a rich array of
activities.
Her Sioux/Luiseno descent and military service were sources
of immense pride and strength. Family,
immediate and extended, was paramount and she was always willing to host a
family gathering or lend a helping hand.
She was an adoring grandmother and relished her time and outings with
her grandsons. Affectionately known as
“Maggie” by many, she made friends wherever she went, had a wonderful sense of
humor and heartfelt laugh that was contagious.
She had a loving generous heart, a knack for brightening the day and
marked her life journey with grace and beauty.
There will be a viewing at 11:00 am with a remembrance at
12:00 pm on Monday, March 12, 2018 at Inland Memorial Harford Chapel, Hemet,
California followed by burial at San Jacinto Valley Cemetery, San Jacinto,
California.
The family suggests that Memorial Contributions may be made
to the National Native American Veterans Memorial, Smithsonian-NMAI, P.O. Box
23473, Washington, DC 20026-3473, honoring the military service of Native
Americans.
