Esther A. Cortez

Esther A. Cortez, 68, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 15, 2016 at Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation Center in Edinburg, Texas. Esther was born on November 14, 1947 to Gilberto and Esther Moody Trevino in San Benito, Texas. She graduated from San Benito High School in 1966 and then married the love of her life Ray Cortez in September of 1967. She had two daughters, Michelle and Jennifer. Ray and Esther moved to Pharr and then to McAllen in the 70's. Esther's career included many accomplishments, she became a Legislative Assistant to then State Representative Alex Moreno in the early 80's. Esther then began working as the Personnel Director for Hidalgo County. She was instrumental and most proud of growing the department into the respected Human Resource department it is today. She was the Director for over 20 years. Esther also helped create and run Hidalgo County's Civil Service Commission. She was blessed with the admiration, respect and friendship of many elected officials, co-workers and the employees she served. Esther had a great smile and made an impact on everyone she met. Always there to listen and help out, she was often asked if she was a school teacher. Esther loved being with her family, playing games - Mexican bingo and cards (poker and gin rummy) were favorites, watching Texas Longhorn football and attending all the various events that her grandchildren were involved in. She was their beloved "Nana" and they love her and will miss her very much. She is proceeded in death by her husband Ray, and her parents Gilberto and Esther Moody Trevino. She is survived by her daughters Michelle (Jason) Gully of McAllen, and Jennifer (Jeff) Mott of McAllen, four grandchildren that adored her, Ian and Jae Gully, and Tanner and Reagan Mott, and her sisters, Cynthia (Mario) Munoz of Harlingen, Dianne (Angel) Saenz, of Edinburg, and Debra (Harold) Taylor of McAllen and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 18th from 5:00 to 9:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm at Legacy Funeral Home, 4610 S. Jackson Rd. in Edinburg. Funeral service will be at 10:00am on Wednesday, Oct. 19th at First United Methodist Church, 4200 N. McColl Rd. in McAllen, following with an entombment in a mausoleum at Mont Meta Cemetery in San Benito. Pallbearers will be Jason Gully, Jeff Mott, Ian Gully, Mario Munoz, Angel Saenz and Mario "Buddy" Munoz II. Funeral services are being directed by Legacy Chapels of Edinburg