Miriam Francis Estrada, 87, of Galesburg, died at 10:22 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2020 at home.
Miriam was born October 5, 1932 in Granada, Nicaragua, the daughter of Dr. Manuel and Amelia (Estrada-Diaz) Granizo. The family moved to Tacoma, WA in 1944 at the age of 12. Shortly after, they moved to San Francisco, CA where she lived until 1962. She met Robert Estrada, Sr. in San Francisco, CA. They were married on August 8, 1956 in Managua, Nicaragua. In 1962, her husband Robert, moved the family back to Nicaragua to oversee the family’s farmland and coffee plantation. In 1979 the family moved to Galesburg, IL fleeing from the revolutionary war. Miriam is survived by four sons, Roberto (Debra) Estrada, Jr. of Galesburg, Alfred (Lucy) Estrada of Waukesha, WI, Jorge (Lori) Estrada of New York, NY, and Rafael (Amy) Estrada of Galesburg; three daughters, Sandra (Mark) Williams of Galesburg, Miriam (Bayardo) Arroyo of Los Angeles, CA, and Ivonne (Mark) Locke of Galesburg; twenty grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. Along with her parents, Miriam was preceded in death by her husband on February 4, 2016; three brothers; and one sister.
Miriam graduated from Polytechnic High School in San Francisco, CA. After graduating, she attended modeling school. Following modeling school, Miriam worked as a secretary at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. in San Francisco, CA. When the children were growing up Miriam stayed at home. Miriam held a strong Catholic faith and was devout member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg. She was an accomplished piano playing and was an excellent Flamenco dancer. Miriam was always young at heart and enjoyed hosting family dinners at her home.
Due to social distancing limitations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic no formal visitation will be held, however, friends may pay their respects from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2020 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Private rosary and funeral mass will be held, however, friends, may view both services starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at via the Galesburg Catholic Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GBBCatholic/. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.watsonthomas.com.
