Esperanza Colin Lopez

Esperanza Lopez was born October 8, 1943, in Hermosa Beach, California, to Francisco and Victoria (Colin) Arenas. She passed away on Monday, March 12, 2018, in La Habra, California, at the age of 74.

Esperanza grew up in Redondo Beach and attended Grant Elementary as a child. In her teen years, she attended and graduated from Compton High School. She continued her education at California State University Dominguez Hills where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies/Chicano Studies. In addition, Esperanza received her AA with High Honors. She had a lifetime teaching credential which she was very proud of.

Espy, as she was affectionately known, was blessed with two children, Mark and Kelly. She raised them in Lynwood, California, later moving to Long Beach, California for the rest of her days. She loved the beach and preferred to live near it.

A devoted teacher, Esperanza served the educational system for over 40 years. During that time she worked for the Homeless/Migrant program at Lynwood Unified School District. Her love of teaching continued after retirement, as she still taught ESL (English as a Second Language) at the Lynwood Adult School.

Family was most important to Espy. She was a loving mother and adoring grandmother. She enjoyed spending every moment she could with her beloved grandchildren. She also enjoyed watching CNN and reality TV shows--especially the Real Housewives franchise. A devout Catholic, Esperanza regularly attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with her grandsons and prayed the Rosary and Divine Mercy daily.

Surviving Esperanza are her sister, Julie Lopez; children, Mark (Blanca) Lopez & Kelly (Victor) Correa; and 5 grandchildren, Victoria, Nicolas, Gabriel, Madeline and Julianna.

A Vigil service and time of sharing will begin at 6:30pm on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 Philadelphia St., Whittier, California. Mass will be celebrated at 11am the following morning, Friday, March 23, 2018, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 900 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, California, with interment to follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.