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JOSEPHINE ESQUEDA ELLARD

EDINBURG – Josephine Esqueda Ellard, 86, entered eternal rest at her home on December 20, 2020.

Josie, called “Fina” by her oldest friends and family, was born in Harlingen, Texas to the late Jorge Esqueda and Francisca Peña. She grew up in a Spanish-speaking household but quickly learned English since speaking Spanish at school was discouraged at that time.

She demonstrated a strong work ethic early in her life. As a young girl, she, along with her sisters, helped her father at his glass shop.

In high school, she had her first paying job at Zales Jewelry. She graduated from Harlingen High School in 1953. A middle child, Josie became the breadwinner of the family when her older sister Raquel got married. Josie worked at the Harlingen Air Force base as a secretary until the base closed.

Josie is preceded in death by her parents, Francisca Pena and Jorge Esqueda; and two sisters, Raquel E. Wise and Gloria Esqueda.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Charles “Bud” Ellard; her four children, Angela Maritza (Luis) Guajardo, Antonietta Maria Ellard, Carla Monica Ellard, and Carlo Joseph Ellard; her two granddaughters, Karina Marcia and Anyssa Melina Guajardo; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the National MPS Society in honor of her granddaughter, Karina. www.mpssociety.org (National MPS Society, PO Box 14686, Durham, NC 27709)

Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m., with a 6 p.m. rosary on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service took place at 10 a.m. on December 28, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment followed at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.

Advance Publishing Company

217 W. Park Avenue
Pharr, TX 78577