Virginia Araceli (Jeanne) Estella

Jeanne Estella (Star Gardens, Rosscarbery). It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely death on Saturday May 3rd, 2025, after a short illness, of Jeanne Virginia Estella.

 

Virginia Araceli Estella, "Jeanne" as she preferred to be known, was born in Manila, the Philippines on July 11th, 1942. She grew up in New York City where she attended a Franciscan girls high school, The Assisium, and completed her bachelor's degree at Ladycliff College in Peekskill, New York. For ten years she professed vows as a nun with the Franciscan Misssionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Peekskill. Upon dispensation from her vows, she continued her career as an elementary school teacher, got married, and pursued her Master of Education degree from Clemson University, in Clemson, South Carolina. Having taught in Philadelphia, PA, Anderson, SC, Sante Fe, NM, Jeanne emigrated to Ireland where she settled in Rosscarbery for the past thirty years. In Ireland, she employed her training in spiritual direction and leading retreats at the former Myross Wood Center of West Cork.

 

Jeanne was well known and loved in her community especially at the Star Gardens, where she belonged to St. Fachtna's Catholic Church. She frequently entertained family and friends at the Celtic Ross Hotel and was a regular at Pilgrim's Rest and the Drip coffee shop in Rosscarbery, where she made many friends, and the Londis shop in the town.

 

Jeanne was predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Natividad Estella, a brother Sgt. Anthony John Estella, killed in action in Vietnam. She is survived by her sisters, Elena Estella and Dr. Nonnie-Marie Haskell, her brother Irving Douglas Estella, his wife Janet, brother Gerard Estella, and her beloved niece, Renée Estella Molina, her husband Larry and their two children.

 

May Jeanne Rest in Peace

 

Jeanne will lie in repose at Daly's Funeral Home, North Square, Rosscarbery on Wednesday evening, May 7th from 6pm, with prayers at 7pm. Requiem Mass at St. Fachtna's Parish Church, Rosscarbery on Thursday, May 8th at 10am. The funeral cortege will then travel to The Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy.

Jeanne's Funeral Mass can be live streamed (here)

 

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