Estella Decierdo Alviola, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandma, passed away on May 23, 2025. She was 84.

They say life happens in the blink of an eye and Estella sure did make the most of it. She was the darling of her family, the rock of her household, the woman who carried the world on her shoulders. Above all, she loved her children, she fought hard for them, and she was unapologetically proud of their accomplishments. Parents get a second chance at life through their children and, through all nine of her kids, Estella did.

Born in the Philippines to Alfonso and Matilde Alviola, she grew up in a well-to-do family, and then she eloped with the love of her life. Maybe she did it in defiance of tradition, she had wanted to finish school and become a physician, but she had been born in a different era, with a different set of expectations for women. She reconciled with her parents later. All throughout her life, that streak of fierceness, that independent spirit, burst into the open. Estella was a proud woman, and she sacrificed everything for her children. She had a difficult life,  enmeshed in poverty, the perennial heartbreaks and sorrow, but, in the end, also much joy and, ultimately, comfort and relief.

Mama Estella, Nang Inday to her dear friends touched innumerable lives. Her generosity was boundless. She raised nine kids mostly as a single mother. Yet even with hardly anything to feed her family, she nonetheless helped so many, welcoming them into her home. She offered shelter, shared food, and took care of the sick and the pregnant. She believed in Jesus Christ, loved the church and enjoyed the company of believers.

Her first and second husbands, Daniel Mabiscay Linasan and Benjamin Lustado Madrid, preceded her in death. So did her siblings Lalio, Vecenta, Victoria and Celestino.

She is survived by children Romeo Linasan and wife Lynn, grandkids Mark Chester, Mark Anthony, Romeo, Jr., Jacko, Christal and Miza Mae, and great grandkids Adara, Geisha Mae, and Romeo; Charlie Linasan and wife Emmalinda, grandkids Jennifer, Jonard, Jeffrey, Jennilyn, Jeremie,  Joname, Joan, Arnel and Ella Marie, and great grandkids Derek, Dave, John Michael, Joshua, Jenniel, Amara, John Mark, Jhon Joseph, Jerome, Bianca, Jeperson and Tyler; Daniel Linasan, Jr. and wife Marieta, grandkids Daniel Robert, Miriam, Daniel Marie and Daniel Marielle, and great grandkids Primo Gabriel and Lucas Miel; Roy Madrid and wife Brenda, grandkids Ruenber, Raymart, Rose Anamae and Roxanne, and great grandkids Rhianzho, Rhoe, Mart, Princess Rayanna, Rhiyanne; Christy Madrid and grandkids Mark Ray, Princess Charizze, and Ever Joy, and great grandkids Mark Ezekiel, Alysha Dhean and Jailyn;  Ranel Madrid and wife Rosevie, and grandkids Israel David Mahonri and Joseph Gordon; Russel Madrid and wife Malou, and grandkid Krista Aliana; Richard Madrid; and Luige del Puerto and wife Pearl and grandkid Sol. She is survived by Alfredo del Puerto, with whom she had one child. Estella is also survived by her siblings George, Amparo, Boy, Marlyn, Eddie, Junior and Annie.

Estella immigrated to the the United States in 2015 and lived with Luige, Pearl and Sol. Her legacy lives in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as in the memory of her relatives, friends and church members. She died knowing she was so loved. We miss you, mama. You are with the Lord now. Till we meet again.