Estelita Aurelio

Estelita Payabyab Aurelio, age 84, of San Antonio, passed away in the afternoon hours of Sunday, December 6, 2020 at her home, surrounded by family.  Estelita was born in the Philippines on September 26, 1936.  Estelita was the youngest daughter of Filemon and Cristina Santos Payabyab.  Her father was arrested and executed by the Japanese for being an informant for the United States and working for the underground movement against the Japanese.  Estelita’s memory of him was faint and her childhood was difficult, but from the hardships came a lifetime of lessons she was able to pass on to her children and grandchildren.

In the early 1950’s, Estelita was working in a restaurant where she met a young military man, Martin Aurelio, who instantly caught her eye and earned her love.  After a brief courtship, they were married. Together they would spend the next 54 years together, raising children, travelling the world and living a lifetime of memories until his passing on April 29, 2004.

Estelita was a strong woman whose faith was her constant compass and her moral guidance was always centered around God.  Estelita was a relentless prayer warrior for her family and for those in need.  She would often wake up in the middle of the night to pray, loudly, startling others in the house.  Growing up as she did, Estelita instilled upon her children the importance of education, not giving her children the choice but to attend college, all her children graduated college or trade school with the ability to provide for their families. Estelita was feisty and lived life quite simply – what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong.  She was resourceful in providing for her family from working as a beautician to operating a “sari-sari” store in the front room of the family home.  She believed heavily in her faith and would often share items that her family may need in the belief that if you do good today, God will take care of you tomorrow.  Estelita was a wise woman who was respected by those around her.  She would often be the “go to” person in times of crisis and need for advice and wisdom.

Those who knew her best will remember Estelita for the faith she had in God and the wisdom she had in life but most importantly, the unconditional love she had for her beloved family.  Some might say she loved to a fault.  Her life and legacy will live on in the lives of those she knew and loved for generations to come.

Estelita is survived by eight children, Carlota Tilton, and husband Bradley, of San Antonio, Crisanto Aurelio, and wife Irene, of the Philippines, Crizalina Tessmer, and husband Gerd of Germany, Crisalia Krone, and husband Horst, of Germany, Martin Aurelio, Jr. and wife Judith, of Germany, Christopher Aurelio, and wife Gemma, of San Antonio, Conrad Aurelio, and wife Madeline, of San Antonio, and by Cindy Pinzon, and husband Ace, of San Diego, California; sisters, Felecisima David of Los Angeles, California and Neni Malig of the Philippines; 19 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and by a host of other relatives and very special friends.

She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Charina Estanislao.

Funeral services for Estelita Aurelio will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Joe Dejesa officiating.  Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., Friday evening, at the funeral home.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family is requesting that only members of the family attend the services on Saturday.  For those wishing to be a part of the funeral, a live stream will be set up at www.chapelhillsa.com.