In Loving Memory

Madeline Esteves

May 6, 1932 — October 13, 2026

You can shed tears that she is gone  Or you can smile because she has lived You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back  Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her  Or you can be full of the love that you shared You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday  Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday You can remember her and only that she is gone  Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back  Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. David Harkins

Service Program

Service Details

Desert Hills Cemetery Beatty, Nevada Saturday, 11:00 AM

Obituary

Madeline Esteves, 94, of Death Valley, California, passed away on October 13, 2026, at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maddy was born in Beatty, Nevada, in 1932, to Dolly Dock and Lester Seepie. After graduating from Stewart Indian School, she spent her adulthood in Pasadena, California. In 1980 she returned home to devote her time to caring for her family and community. She served for many years on the Timbisha Shoshone tribal council, the tribe’s Historic Preservation Committee, and the Death Valley Health Clinic board. Her passion was continuing the basket weaving tradition taught to her by her elders. She was a Native Cultures Fund grant recipient and served as an advisor for "Panamint Shoshone Basketry: An American Art Form". Madeline was preceded in death by her husband Edward Esteves, sisters Leora Shoshone & Clara Forehope, brother Ross Boland, and is survived by too many nieces and nephews to list but who are not forgotten. Please consider a donation to Great Basin Native Basketweavers Association.

Special Thanks

The family extends our heartfelt gratitude for the care provided by the staff of: Death Valley National Park Desert View Hospital Nathan Adelson Hospice Davis Funeral Home