Cecelia Estrada was born, October 27, 1937 in Oakdale, CA and passed away on April 22, 2022 in Modesto, CA, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Cleo Estrada and father, Peter Estrada, as well as by her brother Joseph Estrada. She is survived by her first cousins Tina Munoz (Joe), Gloria Lozano (Paul), second cousins Ramon Munoz (Shannon), Natalie Cummins (Donny), Christina Miller (Mark), and third cousins Taylor Holt (Nathan) Jalen, Ashlyn, Chelsea, Chloe, Kevin Miller (Bridgette), Kacie Vergara, Suttyn, Hailey, Bryson, Tucker and Owen.
Upon graduating from Oakdale High School class of 1956, Cecelia began her nursing career at Modesto Junior College, where she earned her Associate in Arts degree in 1967. She then earned her Bachelor of Science degree at California State College, Sonoma in 1974. Cecelia then finished her college career with a Master of Arts at The Consortium of the California State University, Long Beach in 1984. Cecelia began her nursing career in 1967 as a registered nurse at Stanislaus County Memorial Hospital. Cecelia was promoted to head nurse from 1971-1975. In 1975 Cecelia became an instructor for the Vocational Nursing Program at Santa Rosa Junior College. In 1980 she was hired as the Assistant Director for the Vocational Nursing Program at Santa Rosa Junior College. From 1987-1993 Cecelia worked as the Director of the Vocational Nursing Program at Santa Rosa Junior College. After 18 years of teaching at Santa Rosa Junior College, in the Health Sciences Department Vocational Nursing Program, Cecelia felt it was time to retire in the fall of 1993. To finalize her career, she assumed a new position on the California Board of Licensed Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians. Cecilia’s childhood goal was to be a nurse and she dedicated her adult life to her patients and the training of hundreds of future nurses at Santa Rosa Junior College. In retirement, Cecelia loved spending time with her family, gardening and volunteering her time at St. Frances of Rome Church and Saint Mary’s Catholic church where she was a devoted Catholic.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the Rosary to follow at 6 p.m. at the Oakdale-Riverbank Memorial Chapel, 830 West F Street, Oakdale, CA 95361.
A Mass is being held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 N. Oak Avenue, Oakdale, CA 95361. A reception will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Burial will be held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, 1141 Scenic Dr., Modesto, CA on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 10 a.m.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
May 11, 2022
