Obituary for Estella Mira
Estella Mira, 88, of Eastchester, New York, passed peacefully surrounded by her loving daughters, Estella Lipchak and Diana Mira in her Manhattan apartment on September 17th, 2023. Loving wife to Emilio Mira of 62 years and loving mother to Estella Lipchak and Diana Mira. Estella was born in the Bronx, New York, to Juan and Dolores Otero on October 7, 1934.
Estella graduated high school early with high honors in 1947, and continued her academic career at the Katherine Gibbs school. She was a driven and excellent student which allowed her a position at the United Nations at just 20 years old. She worked hard and was well respected by colleagues and superiors alike, most notably former Secretary General U Thant of Burma. During his term Estella and U Thant developed a mutual high respect for one another that blossomed into a friendship that lasted until U Thant's untimely death years after his term. Her commitment to the UN was noted in his book: View from the UN :The Memoirs of U Thant, with a dedication to her hard work. Over her 35 year long career she rose from the secretarial pool to the Aide of the Secretary General, and met some of the most notable figures of the 20th century. From U.S presidents, to Heads of State from around the world. Her fondest memories of her time at the UN was meeting President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy after his famous UN address in 1961. Outside of the political world she met some of the biggest stars of the the times such as Sammy Davis Jr. and once sat next to Paul Newman at a luncheon, she recalled not being able to stop staring at his piercing blue eyes. She loved ballet, Broadway plays, cabaret singing, and surprisingly boxing, and of course her family. She always had a smile for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Estella was predeceased by her loving husband Emilio Mira, and parents Juan and Dolores Otero. Estella leaves behind her daughters Estella-Mira-Lipchak and husband John Lipchak and daughter Diana Mira. Her grandchildren Owen Mallon, Jessica-Lipchak-Ferrante and her husband Mike Ferrante, Olivia-Lipchak-Elbogen and her husband CJ Elbogen, and her great grandchild, Emma Elbogen.
Visitation will be on Thursday, September 21st, 2023 at Westchester Funeral Home in Eastchester, New York from 2-7pm. Service will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 10:30 am. Interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
Estella graduated high school early with high honors in 1947, and continued her academic career at the Katherine Gibbs school. She was a driven and excellent student which allowed her a position at the United Nations at just 20 years old. She worked hard and was well respected by colleagues and superiors alike, most notably former Secretary General U Thant of Burma. During his term Estella and U Thant developed a mutual high respect for one another that blossomed into a friendship that lasted until U Thant's untimely death years after his term. Her commitment to the UN was noted in his book: View from the UN :The Memoirs of U Thant, with a dedication to her hard work. Over her 35 year long career she rose from the secretarial pool to the Aide of the Secretary General, and met some of the most notable figures of the 20th century. From U.S presidents, to Heads of State from around the world. Her fondest memories of her time at the UN was meeting President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy after his famous UN address in 1961. Outside of the political world she met some of the biggest stars of the the times such as Sammy Davis Jr. and once sat next to Paul Newman at a luncheon, she recalled not being able to stop staring at his piercing blue eyes. She loved ballet, Broadway plays, cabaret singing, and surprisingly boxing, and of course her family. She always had a smile for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Estella was predeceased by her loving husband Emilio Mira, and parents Juan and Dolores Otero. Estella leaves behind her daughters Estella-Mira-Lipchak and husband John Lipchak and daughter Diana Mira. Her grandchildren Owen Mallon, Jessica-Lipchak-Ferrante and her husband Mike Ferrante, Olivia-Lipchak-Elbogen and her husband CJ Elbogen, and her great grandchild, Emma Elbogen.
Visitation will be on Thursday, September 21st, 2023 at Westchester Funeral Home in Eastchester, New York from 2-7pm. Service will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 10:30 am. Interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park.