Estela Saiz

Services are scheduled for 10 am Saturday, January 7th at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Estela Brito Saiz of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Saiz, 89, died on December 31, 2022 at her home in Artesia surrounded by loved ones.

Fr. Vijay will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Pallbearers will be Shawn T. Kelly, Bradon Dominguez, Mario A. Vargas, Francisco J. Vargas, Corey Alan, Richard Ray Molina, Eric Sanchez and Alex So'onafai.

Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary from 1 pm to 6 pm on Friday, January 6th.
A rosary is also scheduled for 9:30 am on Saturday January 7th at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.

Estela was born on December 29, 1933 in Artesia; the daughter of Hilario Heredia Brito and Teresa Gomez Brito, the oldest of six. She was taken out of school to help her dad with the household duties and becoming a mother (role model) at the tender age of 11, a challenge in which she excelled! She quickly grew into her role as "Mother Hen". She had natural maternal instincts and was a caregiver to not only her children, but her nieces and nephews and many others over the years. She was a lifelong Artesia resident.

On November 25, 1956 She was married to the Love of Her Life, Hilario H. Saiz in Artesia, NM. Together they built a beautiful life. She loved living and raising her family on the farm and particularly enjoyed early morning walks along the cotton and hay fields.

Though Estela didn't have much of an education, she didn't let that stop her from becoming a teacher at Head Start for many years. This job gave her great enjoyment and much pleasure. She loved seeing the small children that she taught grow into adults and accomplish their goals.

Estela had a strong passion for reading and felt that if you could read, you could accomplish anything. Her favorite author was Laura Ingalls Wilder. She read all of the Little House on The Prairie series and watched all of the episodes that appeared on TV. The re-runs served as relaxation, even up to the last days before going home.

Estela enjoyed baking and up to the time before getting sick would always remember everyone's birthday and their favorite cake.

Estela loved to go hunting and fishing mainly for the enjoyment she experienced spending quality time with her family and friends. She had a great fondness for the mountains and outdoors.

Her love for the Artesia Bulldogs was second to none and would always brag about Artesia's nickname "The City of Champions!"

She loved her children dearly and loved spending as much time with them as possible, but her pride and joy were her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

Though she is no longer walking among us, she will not be forgotten, as this remarkable woman has impacted many people in enormous ways. We will truly miss you Mom/Momo Estela/GG/sister and friend. We take comfort in knowing that you have gone to a better place, a place where you no longer have to endure pain or suffering. You are home with our Lord.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilario and Micaela Brito and Teresa Gomez; husband, Hilario H. Saiz; sisters, Juana and Virginia; brother, Joe Gomez; granddaughters Angelina Saiz and Michelle Saiz, great-granddaughters Elora and Micaela Sanchez.

Survivors include her daughters Yolanda Luevano and husband Sam Sr. of Gardendale, TX and Hilda Guerrero of Kellyville, OK; sons Albert Saiz and wife Candi of Midland, TX; Jessie Saiz and wife Becky of Midland, TX; Henry Saiz of Pandale, TX and David Gutierrez of Artesia, NM; brother Sammy Brito; sisters Dora Campos, Lupe Beltran, Lucy Gutierrez, and Martha Grado; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Enhabit Hospice specifically Yvonne Carrera Branch, Jamie Elsfelder and Chaplain Jimmy Hamilton for caring for Estela in her last days.