Gracia Maria (fondly known as Chiqui) Ezcurra Muller, died peacefully on June 7, 2025.
She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on July 28, 1935, into a large family of Spanish/Italian descent. She was the youngest of 3 children to Maximo and Syria Bobbio Ezcurra. Chiqui had an older brother Edgar, sister Gloria, and dozens of Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.
The Ezcurra family had a long history in Banking but also owned a large cattle (Hereford) and sheep ranch in Curuzú Cuatiá Argentina.
As a young girl, Chiqui, studied at Michael Ham and Our Lady of Sacred Heart schools in Buenos Aires. She was an accomplished concert pianist, but her real love was painting. She attended the School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires and graduated with a teaching degree from the Hispano American Conservatory of Music, and the Alliance Française.
Chiqui and her family were extremely well traveled. Travelling the world by boat as her mother was frightened to fly. Chiqui was fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and conversational German. On a trip to New York City to visit her brother Edgar, she was introduced to a successful Swiss gentleman, Hans Muller. The couple had a whirlwind courtship and were engaged 3 short weeks later and married on September 4,1964 at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in New York City.
The couple lived in NYC for a short time before relocating to Sao Paulo, Brazil for Hans’ work. Along the way to Brazil their first daughter, Fabiana, was born in Buenos Aires. The young family lived in Brazil for a year and a half before moving back to Pleasantville, NY and having two more daughters, Christianne and Caroline.
In New York Chiqui became an active member of the art and painting scene, exhibiting at countless shows along the East Coast and winning dozens of awards. Her impressionist style paintings hang in private collections all over Europe, the United States, and Argentina.
The family of 5, and their English Springer Spaniel Barney, spent their weekends and summers vacationing in Lake George NY, or at their homes in Danby, VT and Hilton Head, SC. Chiqui would take her daughters to Buenos Aires often at Christmas to spend time with family, and immerse her children in the culture and language.
Chiqui was a devout Catholic never missing a day of Mass and could often be seen praying the Rosary. She instilled this eternal faith, love, and kindness in her children.
In 1992 the Mullers moved to Hilton Head Island, SC where Chiqui continued to be active in the Arts, serving on the Board of the Hilton Head Plantation Artist Association. She was also an active member of the Beaufort and Hilton Head Art Leagues, exhibiting regularly.
Chiqui loved to play golf and was a member of the Whippoorwill Golf Club in NY and the Country Club of Hilton Head serving on its Board.
She was a crossword puzzle fanatic, fan of Jeopardy, a lover of maps, and an avid reader.
Chiqui could also add cooking to her many talents. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed sharing her culinary creations with friends and neighbors as part of the local Gourmet Club.
While in Hilton Head, Chiqui spent much of her time volunteering as a Spanish translator for Volunteers in Medicine and for the St Francis Catholic Church Thrift Shop.
After the death of her husband Hans, Chiqui moved to Williamsburg, VA in 2022 to be closer to her daughters.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Hans Muller, Mother and Father Syria and Maximo Ezcurra, Brother Edgar Ezcurra and Sister Gloria Ezcurra Serigos. She is survived by her 3 Daughters Fabiana Mann (Russ), Christianne Allison (Matt), Caroline Loughran (Paul), 8 Grandchildren Haley Mann, Colin Allison, Gerry Loughran, Camryn Mann, Erin Allison, Emily Loughran, Hannah Loughran, Ryan Allison, and niece Rosario Serigos.
The family will have a private service at St Olaf Catholic Church in Norge, VA where Chiqui and Hans will be laid to rest in the columbarium.
