It was around this time that Mrs. Padilla needed a kidney transplant, and it was her daughter, Adele, who provided it. The gift gave Mrs. Padilla an extra 17 years of life and gave her a new cause -- support for organ and tissue donation.

In the final job in her varied career, Mrs. Padilla became community outreach coordinator/family service coordinator for the California Transplant Donor Network. She didn't officially retire until December, even though she had grown increasingly sick the past three years.

"Her passion was to promote organ and tissue donation and she was all in from day one," said Denise Kinder, Mrs. Padilla's boss and friend at the network.

Kinder said Mrs. Padilla's work led to many lives being saved.

Three years ago, her kidney failed and she went on dialysis.

"That takes a toll on your life," said her sister Stella Jauregui. "She got one complication after another."

She found herself back in the hospital this month -- and she never left.

"She was the most positive person even with all her illnesses," Jauregui said. "She had a great sense of humor and a great, strong faith. She had such a will to live, but her body gave out."

Jauregui said her sister recently told her that she had a bucket list to finish. But none of the items, Jauregui said, were for her.

"She had things to do in the community to better the lives of other people," Jauregui said.

Esther Padilla

Born: Jan. 23, 1944

Died: March 13, 2013

Survivors: Husband Gilbert Padilla, daughter Adele, two sisters.

Occupation: Social worker, community outreach coordinator/family service coordinator for the California Transplant Donor Network, former Fresno City Council member.

Service: Visitation is 6-7 p.m. Sunday at St. Alphonsus Church, 351 E. Kearney Blvd. Rosary to follow. Funeral Mass on Monday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church. Burial to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, 264 N. Blythe Ave. in Fresno. A reception will then be held at the VFW Hall, 3585 N. Blythe Ave. in Fresno.