It is with the heaviest of hearts that our family announces the untimely passing of our loving mother, devoted wife, and dedicated sister Estrella on Aug. 16, 2008. Driven by her faith, Estrella lived life cherishing her family, enjoying the company of her friends and selflessly seeing to the care of others.

Born in Cavite City, Bacoor, in the Philippines in 1948, Estrella was the second oldest daughter, sixth of nine children. Shortly after moving to the United States with her father, brothers, and sisters in the 70s, Estrella met and married her husband, newly minted U.S. Navy sailor, Noel Santos. For the next 30 years, together they raised a family between the Philippines, Virginia, California, finally settling in Washington state. Splitting her career between being a homemaker, raising three rambunctious kids, and in the health industry, running her own home health care business and working at assisted care facilities, Estrella always had room in her heart to care for and love others in the spirit of the Lord.

She spent her free time gardening and took certain pride in her roses. She loved spoiling her three grandchildren and showered them with her love. She is survived by her husband of more than 33 years, Noel J. Santos; and children, Enjay and his wife Erica of Seattle, Noelle McIntyre and her husband, Jason of Fresno, Calif., and Junn and his wife Sandy of Oak Harbor; and grandchildren Xachariah, Nicolas and Junna.

We celebrate her life, her love, and spirit in loving memory. Oak Harbor Memorial Service at Southern Baptist Church of Oak Harbor was held Aug. 20, with another service in Fresno at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Interment at Fresno Memorial Gardens on Aug. 23.