Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Esther Juanita Matos on the morning of March 7th, 2025. A friend to so many, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength & love for her family and Puerto Rican heritage.
Born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico May 13, 1938 to parents Pedro Zapata & Antonia Lugo, Esther moved to New York in 1955. She married her husband, Julio Matos Sr., in 1960 as they both often traveled to and from California. Daughter Maritza was born in Los Angeles, California in 1961, followed closely by son Julio in 1962 and daughter Maribel in 1963, both in Bronx, New York. The family settled in Los Angeles, California in 1963 where Esther eventually found her passion and life’s work within the Los Angeles Juvenile Court System and Community Schools, guiding and mentoring at risk youth. She retired in 1998.
Esther is survived by her loving family, Maritza (Ken), Julio & Maribel (Scott), along with grandchildren Nikole, K.J., Kaleb, Andrew, Nikolas, Julia, Dane & Jensen and great grandchildren Vincent & Mia.
Date and time for a celebration of life ceremony is to be determined.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens
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