Maria Esther Arambula

Mrs. María Esther (Bautista) Arámbula, age 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 1, 2026. She was born in Laredo, TX, to parents Aurora Palacios Bautista and José María Bautista on December 31, 1932. She lived in Laredo her whole life and was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Esther, as she was known to family and friends, was a 1954 graduate of R & T Martin High School. While in high school, she excelled in stenography and typing. She liked checking out books from the school library as she loved to read. Her love of reading was mainly spent on mystery novels her younger years, which eventually changed to reading the local newspaper, the Bible, and other Catholic publications.

In August of 1955, she married the love of her life, Matías Arámbula, Jr. and together formed a marriage that lasted 52 years. Children started to arrive, three sons—Matías III, José Luís, and Gerardo. Raising three boys while working full time was not always a breeze, as she would often say. Throughout her working years, Esther worked at her brother’s import/export business (Despachos Aduanales del Norte) for many years, and also worked for Allen Warehouses a few years. She later held the secretarial position for the then-new Webb County Health Dept. WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) Program until she retired to become a full time housewife.

As a housewife, Esther was an excellent cook. We all looked forward to her picadillo con papas, Mexican rice, and flour tortillas, amongst other dishes she prepared. As the grandchildren began to arrive, she helped where she could and enjoyed having after school snacks prepared for them upon their arrival. Grandma Esther made sure she had every grandchild’s favorite snack in the pantry and refrigerator. When time and weather permitted, she would greet the grandchildren at the school bus drop-off point. After the grandchildren grew up, she took charge of her husband’s health needs for 7 years until his passing in 2008.

Esther, along side her husband, Matías, were proud members of the original 49 families (the 49ers) that helped establish San Martin de Porres Church as a full parish in its own right. Both were very active at their parish, eventually serving as Eucharistic Ministers for many years. She held on to her faith and happily prayed the Rosary daily for her grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Matías Arámbula, Jr., her parents José María & Aurora P. Bautista, three brothers, José, Alfonso, and Luís Bautista, and her in-laws, Matías Sr. and Felíz R. Arámbula. Also two nieces, Olga Bautista Kowalski and Berta Bautista Thompson, and sister-in-law, Enriqueta M. Bautista.

Left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Matías Arámbula, III, José Luís (Linda) Arámbula, and Gerardo (Yvonne) Arámbula, 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, sister, Dora B. Treviño, and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

Pallbearers will be: Matías Arámbula IV, Gerardo Arámbula, Jr., Daniel Arámbula, José Luís Arámbula, Jr., Hector Arámbula, and Mathew Arámbula. Honorary pallbearers are Matías Arámbula, III, José Luís Arámbula, Gerardo Arámbula, Duane McCune, Arturo Benavides, and Reynaldo Valdez.

We would like to thank Altus Hospice &Home Health, Dr. Mahani, Mr. Heard FNP, Mr. Pérez FNP, Alex RN, Erika RN, Teresa CNA, and Bianca CNA for their loving and caring attention given to our mother. Also caregivers Bianca, Chayo, Ana, and Maria Teresa. Thank you also for religious support received by Deacon Alberto and Eucharistic minister, María Rabago. And lastly, HEB Pharmacy 207.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Hillside Funerals and Cremations from 5 PM to 9 PM. A rosary will be recited at 7 PM.

Funeral services will continue on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 7 AM to 9:30 AM. A procession will depart the funeral home at 9:30 AM to San Martin de Porres Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM.

Interment will follow to the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the businesses and people who helped the family care for our mother.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hillside Funerals & Cremations, 310 Hillside Rd., Laredo, TX 78041. For more information, please call (956) 724-6060.