Graciela Esparza

On Monday, March 11th at 76 years young we lost our matriarch otherwise known to us as, "esposa," "mom," "ma," "chumchum," "grandma," "gam," "caro," "hija," "tia," "hermana," "Marta," "Grace" and "Graciela." Graciela Esparza (Montenegro) of Rochelle, Illinois was born in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango. She is survived by her husband, five children, 18 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and her dog Luna. She always held on to her dream of being a singer. Sadly that dream never came to fruition, but that never stopped her from singing to anyone everywhere she went. Her proud demeanor and love for beauty and elegance was evident through her eccentric style and perspective. Which is why you knew you were at grandma's house when you saw the abundance of angel statues, flowers, area rugs and porcelain dolls. Then came the familiar smells of ponds lotion and eye watering chile roasting on the stove. But her favorite place was always her garden. She would spend hours and days just planting and replanting flowers, bushes and trees until you could no longer see the walkway.  We knew she loved us all. She was proud of her children but even more so of her grandchildren and the possibility of what her future legacy would hold. Our personal bond with our mom will always be held in high esteem. After all, a mother's love will never end, nor fade away because we are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.

She was a strong woman that fought each of her health battles as a warrior. She overcame 3 cancers, 2 cardiac arrest and miraculously came off the ventilator. As our mother she was very tough on her five children, she took the role as both mother and father.  Loud music, specifically norteña music was her choice and singing to the lyrics was one of her greatest delights. She will sing to the angels in heaven. She loved to dance and always make people laugh. She was a good comedian. She always left her house dressed in elegant colorful animal print, or well coordinated outfits and accessories, even if she was only going to the store. She enjoyed 2 hour morning phone calls which brought laughter, tears, joy, smiles and grateful satisfaction. Thank you Lord for allowing our mother in having spent more time with us before you called her to your glory. We will miss her always. 

As her only son, my mother and I had a special relationship. Some would say I was her consentido. We would spend many hours talking over anything and everything in her room or sitting at the kitchen table. Her advice was always clear and concise. She had high expectations which motivated me to work harder. Even though we were miles apart I always knew she was a phone call away. 

She was taken from us too soon. The pain we felt at losing her will never go away. The fact that she is no longer with us will always cause us pain. We are comforted by one day seeing her again. We lost our mother, but gained a guardian angel. 

Mom was the queen of our family and my best friend. Her and I would talk over the phone two or three times a day about anything and everything. I would send her videos or pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was not surprised that her great-granddaughter inherited her musical talents and her granddaughter knew her way in the cocina.  On my days off we would run errands together. I will forever be indebted to her guidance in raising my children. She was a rock known for her gift of gardening and her culinary skills that could feed an entire neighborhood and her love of God. Holidays in her presence were always filled with love, laugher, and happiness. Ma's summers in Durango were special to her, where she generously supported her community and spent time with family and friends. She also had a passion for singing, vibrant outfits and a love for fine jewelry (the bigger, the better). Her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Mom, like no other had the ability to have a conversation with only her facial expressions and unique phrases. The slight tilt of the head or raised eyebrows spoke louder than her words. It appears that my children have also inherited that trait. She gifted us with her love of music, singing and dancing. I can picture her now singing her norteñas with the heavenly choir. May she rest in peace and fly like an angel to her new home in the sky and join her loved ones that passed before her. She will be missed forever, but never forgotten. La del moño colorado siempre en nuestro corazón.