Esther Alice MercadoEsther Alice Mercado, 68 passed away Sunday, March 7, She was born March 1, 1942, in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Mercado is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Jose Mercado Sr.; her three sons, Mark and wife Christina, Martin and wife Jennifer, and Jose Jr.; her four brothers Adrian Acevedo and wife Julie, Herbert Acevedo, Jr. and wife Janice, Gerald Acevedo and wife Michelle, Robert Acevedo and partner Cary Lewis, all of Austin.; brothers Arnold Barron and wife Virginia, Roland Barron and wife Margaret of Brownsville; sisters Norma Molina and husband Albert of Brownsville, and Sylvia Kimbrough and husband Jay of Pasadena; survived by grandchildren Joshua Mercado, Jonathan Mercado and Kristiana Mercado; many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her birth mother Mary Barron of Brownsville; father and mother, Herbert and Emma Acevedo Sr.; brother Michael. As a devoted mother, Esther stayed at home nurturing and raising her three children. Esther was known for her unmistakable ?Whistle?, that was heard on a regular basis at her children?s events and parks around town. After her children were grown, she worked for 15 years as a teaching assistant at Casis and Highland Park Elementary. She touched the lives of so many special needs children, and was beloved by teachers, students and parents alike. The last several years of her life were spent enjoying time with her family and friends. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Diabetes Association-Austin Chapter, 2499 Capital of Texas Hwy., Bldg. A, Suite 204, Austin, Texas 78746. Recitation of Holy Rosary 7:00 p.m., Friday at the Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel 6204 South First Street. (South). Memorial Mass 10:00 a.m., Saturday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Santa Maria Cemetery in Pflugerville.