Helen Esparza Rodriguez

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Helen Esparza Rodriguez, on May 1, 2023. She died peacefully at her home on 18th Street in North San Jose, where she lived for 75 years.

Helen is survived by her two grandchildren, Mario Fusco-Rodriguez and Gabrielle Fusco, their spouses Adela Reina and Raldon Lumpkins, and her sons-in-law, Jose Delgado and Gary Fusco.

She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Mario (Leo) Fusco, Isabelle Fusco, Jacob Fusco and Jude Lumpkins, all of San Francisco.

She was the sister of Vicky Guevara and Ismael Esparza, and the aunt of many nieces and nephews from the Esparza family of nine siblings.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Jacob, and her daughters Diane and Martha. She will be laid to rest with Jacob at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose on May 26th at noon.

Helen was born in Blythe, California and grew up in Indio, near Palm Springs, where she lost her father at a young age. She moved to San Jose with her family as a farm worker in Alviso when she was 13 years old.

She settled in Japantown and graduated from San Jose High School. She later graduated from San Jose City College and started her long career at Alexian Brothers Hospital.

Helen had a passion for music, singing and playing piano in churches throughout her life. She devoted herself to her two daughters, who inherited her love of the arts and education, both graduating from the University of California. Helen also enjoyed traveling with her family, visiting places from Canada to Mexico, Hawaii to New York. She went to Italy and Europe, and attended the wedding of the Italian foreign exchange student that she hosted at her home in the 1960s.

Helen’s life was an example of resilience, generosity and joy.

Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Diane Rodriguez Teatrista Award, "The Diane" which is the New York Theatre Commons' annual award to an individual who is committed to increasing Latinx representation:

https://howlround.com/diane-rodriguez-teatrista-award

(Spanish Translation by Johuhl Esparza)

Lamentamos el fallecimiento de nuestra querida matriarca, Helen Esparza Rodríguez, quien murió en su casa en North San Jose el 1 de mayo de 2023.

Le sobreviven sus dos nietos, Mario Fusco-Rodríguez y Gabrielle Fusco, sus cónyuges, sus yernos y cuatro bisnietos.

Era hermana de Vicky Guerra e Ismael Esparza, y tía de muchos sobrinos y sobrinas.

Le precedieron en la muerte su esposo Jacob y sus hijas Diane y Martha. Será enterrada con Jacob en el cementerio Oak Hill en San Jose el 26 de mayo al mediodía.

Helen nació en Blythe, California y se mudó a San Jose como trabajadora agrícola cuando tenía 13 años. Se graduó de la escuela secundaria San Jose y del colegio comunitario San Jose, y trabajó en el hospital Alexian Brothers.

Helen amaba la música, cantaba y tocaba el piano en las iglesias. Apoyó a sus dos hijas en su educación y carreras. Viajó con su familia a muchos lugares, incluyendo Italia y Europa.

La vida de Helen fue un testimonio de resiliencia, generosidad y alegría.

Short version of announcement:

We mourn the loss of our beloved matriarch, Helen Esparza Rodriguez, who died at her home in North San Jose on May 1, 2023.

She is survived by her two grandchildren, Mario Fusco-Rodriguez and Gabrielle Fusco, their spouses, her sons-in-law, and four great-grandchildren.

She was the sister of Vicky Guevara and Ismael Esparza, and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Jacob, and her daughters Diane and Martha. She will be buried with Jacob at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose on May 26th at noon.

Helen was born in Blythe, California and moved to San Jose as a farm worker when she was 13. She graduated from San Jose High School and San Jose City College, and worked at Alexian Brothers Hospital.

Helen loved music, singing and playing piano in churches. She supported her two daughters in their education and careers. She traveled with her family to many places, including Italy and Europe.

Helen’s life was a testament to resilience, generosity and joy.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Diane Rodriguez Teatrista Award, "The Diane" which is the New York Theatre Commons' annual award to an individual who is committed to increasing Latinx representation:

https://howlround.com/diane-rodriguez-teatrista-award

A visitation for Helen will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. A wake will occur Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. A visitation will occur Friday, May 26, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. A funeral service will occur Friday, May 26, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. A committal service will occur Friday, May 26, 2023 from 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM at Oak Hill Memorial Park & Mortuary, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oakhillfuneral.com for the Rodriguez family.