Esperanza R. Marquez
Esperanza R. Marquez was born in Ciudad Acuna, Coahuila State, Mexico on December 4, 1919, and died peacefully at home in Porterville on January 8, 2021 at the age of 101 years. She was the eighth child, out of 12, born to Policarpo and Juana Reyna. At the age of eight years old, her family migrated to Sonora, Texas where she was schooled, graduating from Elliott High School as valedictorian of her class in 1939. In 1943 she became a naturalized citizen and moved to Porterville.
Esperanza had a full, rich, and varied life. Her personal interest in people suited her well as she worked for many years with the public at Singer Sewing Machine Co., The State of California as an Unemployment Insurance Adjudicator, and coowned Carmen's Mexican Kitchen. At each of these jobs she always looked for ways to further her skills whether it was advanced classes in sewing or taking night classes in general education.
She loved reading and learning new things.
Esperanza was an excellent seamstress, sewing most of her two daughter's clothes throughout their school years; prom dresses and a wedding dress was a challenge she enjoyed. And she enjoyed teaching others how to sew, volunteering to take several neighborhood teens under her wing, teaching them how to sew, patch and mend.
Esperanza was known for her friendly smile and ability to make friends wherever she went. She loved music, and loved to go dancing, always dressing nicely to do so. In her retirement she enjoyed gardening, daily walks and delighted in caring for a young grandson. Our mother was a woman of dignity, honesty and high moral standards and taught her children these values by word and example throughout her long life. For instance, not being afraid of hard work herself, she did not believe in giving her children an allowance. There were always extra chores we could do to earn our spending money!
There are many "momisms" that still ring in our ears..."save your money for a rainy day", was one of her sayings. "Learn to support yourself, don't depend on others", "do things right the first time so you don't have to redo them", and the universal admonition, "don't use safety pins to hold up your underwear, because you might get into an accident!" Being a spiritual person, she did not send her children to church, she took them. Many times she would say, when we tried to beg off, "if you can't go to church, you can't go to the movies later." That usually got us up and dressed !!
Mom was always ready to help the less fortunate. She never forgot her roots. Being a victim of discrimination as a young girl, she made it a life's goal never to pass judgment or discriminate against anyone. We are all better people because of it.
Look what our mother accomplished in the flesh, on earth, in 101 years justwatch and see what she will accomplish in heaven for eternity!
Esperanza is preceded in death by her parents, 11 siblings, husbands Ruben L. Gomez, John Bradford and Adolfo Marquez, and her beloved daughter Emma Gomez.
She is survived by sons Ruben Gomez of Long Beach and Roy Bradford of Porterville, daughter Priscilla Lau (Fred) of Porterville, grandsons Taylor Platt-gomez of Long Beach and Kyler Tabor of Santa Barbara and numerous nieces and nephews that loved her. A special thank you to Aurora Kaneshi for her excellent care and compassion towards our mother.
Funeral services will be held on January 26,2021 at 12:00, preceded by a viewing between 11:0012:00. Arrangements are being handled by Porterville Funeral and Cremation Center. Gravesite services are private. We strongly urge caution by any attending due to COVID-19.