Mary Ester (Sylva) DeLaCruz
Taken from the obituary:
Mary Ester Sylva De La Cruz began her eternal rest peacefully at home in the arms of her eldest on Sunday, May 1, 2022. She was surrounded by the love and prayers of her beloved family and many precious friends. Mary Ester was born in Victoria, Texas on September 17, 1937, to Elpidia and Celso Zepeda Sylva. The eldest of five children, she was a mother figure to all her siblings, and as time went on, she became a mother figure to their children as well – her precious nieces and nephews. In 1973 she was blessed with a daughter (Denise), and in 1974, a second daughter (Melissa), both who became the center of her world. In later years, upon the birth of her grandchildren (Athena, Neal, and Eva), she assumed a whole different level of joy and passion. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who was dedicated to guiding, serving and caring for not only her daughters but her whole family. She was a mentor, teacher, and confidant, our example, the leader – the glue that kept the unit bound and “together.”
Mary Ester was artistic and creative, and as a fiercely independent young woman, she started her own business in her twenties. She opened Mary Ester’s Flower Shop in the mid-1960s; and a few years later, she and her husband, John, opened John’s Photography. Together, they created a thriving family business that served Port Lavaca and surrounding towns with beautiful flower arrangements and photography for 40 years. Mary Ester loved flowers, crafting, and oil painting; and she told the best stories. She also loved spending time with her whole family, and over the last sixteen years, loved playing with and cuddling her three grandbabies. She was everyone’s favorite sister, aunt, advisor, Godmother, and friend; and she exuded love and compassion to those who met her, and appreciation to those who helped her. She always had something nice to say to those she met along her journey. She never thought twice about offering her time and was always ready to help. She and her memory continue to inspire all who love her. She created many precious memories for all who knew her.
Mary Ester was grounded in her Catholic faith and lived her faith through her sharing and servitude. She was a member of the Associates of the Incarnate Word in Victoria, Texas; Our Lady of the Gulf Altar Society; Catholic Daughters of America; and the Cursillo movement. In her late years, she was a member at the Sheltering Arms, a Houston senior care facility, where she not only attended during the day, but helped to make floral arrangements and crafts for activities, parties, and holidays.