Josefina Esparza

Born on February 26, 1927

Departed on July 12, 2013 and resided in Denver, CO

Josefina Esparza, 86, of Denver, Colorado, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, July 12, 2013, at Denver Health Medical Center.

Josefina was born on February 26, 1927, to the late Juana Holguin and Herminio Cervantes in Chihuahua, Mexico. She lived and worked in Juarez, Mexico, before moving to Denver, Colorado in 1987.

Josefina was an independent and outgoing woman. She always took care of her home, including her yard and rose garden, and made every effort to ask for minimal help from her kids. Josefina loved interacting with others and was a great storyteller. She could chat with visitors for hours, recounting tales from her life in Mexico or stories about her husband and children. Family was very important to Josefina and she enjoyed family gatherings, whether for Christmas or a mid-summer BBQ.

Josefina was a cherished wife, mother, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was preceded by her husband Bruno Esparza, and children, Magdalena Esparza; Eduardo Esparza; and Luis Esparza. She is survived by her children Norma Cervantes; Estella Hernandez and her husband Alberto Hernandez; Elias Esparza; Eddie Esparza; Elena Abeyta; and Angelica Esparza. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Claudia Vargas; Alberto Hernandez, Jr.; Yvette Hernandez; Vanessa Esparza; Alex Esparza; Andrea Esparza; Aaron Esparza; Alyssa Esparza; Adam Esparza; Erik Esparza; Larz Abeyta; Vivian Abeyta; Luis Abeyta; great-grandchildren Lexis Hernandez, Elex Esparza, Landen Luis and Isaac Madera; great-great-grandchild, Julyan Maldonado; and sisters Herminia Cervantes and Juanita Cervantes.

The rosary and viewing will be held at Funeraria Latina on Thursday, July 18, 2013, beginning with a viewing at 4 pm, followed by the rosary at 6:30 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Cajetan Catholic Church, in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 8 am.