MARIA ESTHER VALENZUELA TRUILLO, 62, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband, Steve Trujillo and family on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Las Cruces, NM. She was born September 28, 1962, in El Paso, TX to Roman M. and Lucinda M. Valenzuela. Esther was employed for the State of New Mexico, Legislative Finance Committee in Santa Fe and at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, in which she was also a student.  She was a member of the General Federation of Women's Club and the Roman Catholic Church.

Esther passionately and unconditionally loved her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed watching her grandkids play sports and couldn't get enough of them.  She was a great cook, loved to read, crochet, scrapbook, arts, crafts, games, music and she loved dancing. Esther also loved teaching her mother-in-law how to take a shot.  She loved to travel and made lifelong friends from across the country. Her favorite sports teams were the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Lakers, and she enjoyed watching Olympic ice skating. Esther lit up every room she walked into and had the most beautiful, contagious laugh and smile. She had a heart of gold and was beautiful inside and out.

Esther is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, Steve, who was always by her side and deeply in love with her. They had met in Junior High School and reconnected many years later and fell romantically in love. She is also survived by her children, Ray Ramos Jr, of Chicago, Il; Robert J. Ramos (Carmen) of Chaparral; Rene J. Ramos (Sandra) of Las Cruces; Robyn J. Ramos of Las Cruces; Estevan Rael (Janevi) of Santa Fe; and Andrew Trujillo (Amada) of Denver, CO; grandchildren MontDiego Xavier, Amaricee Vidonia, Robert Jr., Emily Rebecca, Rene Jr., Adelina Nevaeh, William Michael, Josiah Joshua and Catalina Juliana; godsons, Conrad and Richard Bobadilla, Tommy Valenzuela Jr., and Dominik Trujillo. Esther is also survived by her sisters and brother, who she loved unconditionally; Maria Elena Jurado (Arturo); Belen Valenzuela (Ken), all from Las Cruces; Graciela Alvarado (Albert) of Westway; Bertha Valenzuela of La Union; and Roman Tomas Valenzuela (Celestina "Sally") of Las Cruces; brother-in-law, David Alvillar of Las Cruces; mother-in-law Natalia Trujillo of Las Cruces; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Smithberger (Joe) of Santa Fe and Carolyn Aragon (Joe) of Las Cruces; brother-in-law, Jerry Trujillo (Cindy) of Albuquerque; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Eloisa Alvillar on January 31, 2025; brothers-in-law, Conrado Bobadilla and Michael Trujillo; nephew, Michael Valenzuela; and her father-in-law, Benny G. Trujillo.

Esther was a loving wife, mother, grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and friend who will be greatly missed.

At her request cremation has taken place and Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 10 AM Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 1240 S. Espina Street with the Memorial Mass to be celebrated immediately thereafter with The Reverend Alejandro Reyes, Celebrant. Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Scleroderma Research Foundation in Esther's name.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com