Manteca
Gloria Avila Esparza
September 26, 1927-June 11, 2013

   Gloria Avila Esparza, 86, of Manteca, CA, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 in Modesto, CA.
   She was born to the late Juan and Ramona Avila, September 26, 1927 in Phoenix, AZ. Gloria, after graduating from high school, moved to San Jose, CA, where she graduated from Armstrong Business College.  She married her surviving husband, Saul Esparza, in 1953, and lived in the Bay Area for several years before relocating to the Central Valley and settling in Manteca in 1990.
    Gloria was an astute business woman who took her professions, office manager, real estate sales, seriously, yet always sought the best solution for her client and company.  She was a member of the Red Hat Society and did volunteer work for the Senior Center in Manteca and Doctors Hospital, where she received a citation for her work and dedication.  Her passion, in her later years, was travel.  Travel anywhere was her mojo and she reveled in it.  Any mode of travel was okay with her.  Just get her there she would say.
   She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved music and song.  Cooking for family on special occasions was her joy and special way of saying thank you for being there as a family.  Her grandchildren were the spirit of her life, from Easter Egg Hunts to Christmas presents to graduations.  Life and family was to be cherished shared by all.
   Gloria is survived by three children; John Esparza, of Tracy, Gerald Esparza of Canton, OH, and Martha Esparza Kuykendall, of Tracy.  She also is survived by six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
   The family is requesting that donations be made to Community Hospice of Modesto, 4368 Spyres Way in Modesto, CA. 95376 or Alzheimers Association, 1455 Response Rd, Sacramento, CA. 95815.
   Private viewing and burial will be held by family at Park View Cemetery, in French Camp, CA.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, July 9, 2013