Josephine E. Ellard

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. Her adventurous spirit and desire to travel led her to apply to Pan American Airlines, despite never having flown. Her glamourous style and bilingual ability got her the job as a stewardess, mainly assigned to the Central American route. She was based out of Houston where she met the love of her life, Charles "Bud" Ellard on August 31, 1963. They were married on November 25, 1965, at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Harlingen, Texas. They lived in Houston for eleven more years where they started their family of three girls, Angela, Antonietta, and Carla, and then moved to Edinburg in 1976, where they had their son, Carlo.
Josie's tremendous work ethic continued after becoming a mother. In Houston, after her children started school, she began working at the University of Houston. She started out at the School of Social work and then as office manager for the Hotel and Management school, one of her all-time favorite jobs. In Edinburg, she held several jobs including at the Edinburg Chamber and Dr. Kent's dentist office. She then set her sights on getting her degree. After much sacrifice, she earned a bachelor's in business administration in 1989, while also working part-time at Pan American University. After completing her degree, she became an independent Mary Kay Consultant, which she continued until her passing.
She was humble in spirit, but self-care was important to her, always making sure her hair and makeup were done. She was never underdressed for an event. Looking good went hand and hand with feeling good. Nutrition was a very important part of her life. She believed eating healthy and taking vitamins could prolong one's life and prevent many illnesses.
Josie's affinity for social activities included participation in several organizations too numerous to list. Besides church organizations and her kids' extracurricular activities, some of the groups she was most active in were the Pan American Round Table, the A&E Squadron Reunion committee, and the Harlingen High School reunion committee.
As a stewardess, she had the opportunity to go to Europe, Central America, and South America, frequently taking her mother along to explore the world. With her husband and young family, there were annual trips driving to Connecticut, stopping at museums and gardens along the way. When her kids grew up, she would take trips with them across the USA, Hawaii, and some international trips to Australia and Europe. Her last two trips were with her husband on pilgrimages to Italy in 2014 and Spain in 2015 with the St. Joseph's Church, which she greatly enjoyed.
Josie was devoted to the Roman Catholic Church all her life. During her youth as a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Harlingen, Texas, she was a catechist and joined the choir and the Daughters of Mary. When she moved to Edinburg, she was an active parishioner at St Joseph Catholic Church working as guild leader with the St Joseph Altar Society, money counter, Eucharistic minister, and most recently Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Josie was especially devoted to the Virgin Mary and numerous saints, her favorite being St. Joseph.
It was her faith that was the source of Josie's positive and generous nature. She gave to everyone, friends and strangers alike. She would regularly give to the homeless - not just money, but a sandwich or drink. You could not go to her house without leaving with something. She was full of positivity and always looked for the good in every situation. Josie's friendliness and outgoing spirit made it such that when she made friends, she made them for life. Some of her closest compadres came from her grade school years. She continued to keep in touch with people she met and grew close with throughout all stages of her life. She will be dearly missed by her family.
Josie is preceded in death by her parents, Francisca Peña 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 will be 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 will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito. The family will be strictly following COVID-19 protocols. Services can be viewed online as well.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.