† Estella Quintero Arellano - January 7, 2026

Estella was a first-generation migrant farmworker, traveling with her family to work in Hemet, Woodland, Wasco, Greenfield, Mendota, Idaho, and Oregon. She not only worked in the fields picking strawberries and rapini but also worked in various packing sheds. She spoke fondly of working with her mother Lorenza, Rosemary Wimer, Alice Martinez, and Poli Quintero for the 1964 World Carrot Harvest at the David Freedman Packing Shed in Holtville.

Estella and her comadre Sally Moreno were active Guadalupanas at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. She was extremely creative and took cake decorating, jewelry-making and drumming classes at the El Centro Recreation Center. She also enjoyed volunteering as a poll worker during the elections. She was an incredible chef and famous for her Mexican rice, albondigas, pot roast and macaroni salad.

Estella was philanthropic in supporting her favorite organizations (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, St. Joseph's Indian School, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). She especially cherished her years with her pets Herman and Sherman.