Mary Esther Perez

Esther Garcia Perez, 63, passed away Sept. 9, 2011 from breast cancer. She was born Aug. 29, 1948, in Juarez, Mexico, and lived in Las Vegas since 1955. She graduated from Rancho High School in 1967. In 1972, she married Tino Perez, with whom she spent the rest of her life. Tino and Esther have one son, Jose Manuel. Esther dedicated her life to making a happy, loving home for her son and husband. She was involved with everyone in her family and was always there with a sympathetic ear, caring heart, and the occasional stern word. Despite her 10-year battle with cancer, she remained a courageous, energetic, and generous woman, who was there for everyone to the best of her ability. By nature of her outgoing personality, she had a large circle of friends that she always managed to have time for. She, along with her son and husband were a fixture at all family holidays and events. Esther loved art and became fast friends with a group that was formed to socialize and practice art. She belonged to a rowing club with fellow cancer survivors named the Pink Paddlers. Esther is survived by husband, Tino; son, Jose Manuel; brothers and sisters, Silvia, Bertha, Salvador, Fernando, Edward, Helena, and Fabian, along with their families; and her aunts, Adelita, Rosie, Menda, and Irma, along their families. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lola Garcia; grandmother, Cruz Saldivar; and aunt, Lupe Saldivar. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Services will be at noon Saturday, Sept. 17, both at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Esther's life will be held afterwards at 6269 Apple Orchard Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89142. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure .

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.