Esperanza "Hopie" Alejandra Gonzales, 86, widow of Eusebio "Chevo" Gonzales, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence in San Antonio, Texas, on September 4, 2024. She was born on February 26, 1938, in Eagle Pass, Texas, a daughter of the late Roberto and Pomposa Riojas and the third oldest of twelve children.

Esperanza married Eusebio "Chevo" in 1959 after a fairy tale romance. Their story begins when Esperanza was a young girl working at Casa Grande Bakery on Guadalupe St. Chevo knew Esperanza was special the moment he saw her and immediately he needed to meet her. Chevo spent time across the street at Progresso Drug Store watching her work while working up the courage to accomplish his mission. Chevo aspired to become a priest as a young man, but Esperanza sparked a change in him, and he decided to adjust his aspirations to ones that included Esperanza. The result was a beautiful lifelong marriage; a perfect testament of true love to their children, grandchildren and those who knew them.

She touched the lives of many through her philanthropy, community involvement and contributions to the health care system with groundbreaking commitments to Alzheimer's disease. She accomplished much during this time in her life and received many acknowledgments and accolades for her work with Alzheimer's including being honored by mayors Lila Cockrell, Henry Cisneros and state senator Cyndi Taylor Krier. She was frequently featured in multiple stories in all the local news stations and newspapers.

Esperanza pioneered the treatment and therapy for the first successful Alzheimer's unit in south Texas. She cowrote the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders handbook that was printed for nursing homes and students. Proceeds from this book went toward building funds for "The Meadows", a senior living community. Esperanza traveled all over the United States teaching and helping facilities start their own Alzheimer's units. Traveling allowed her opportunities to inspire and shape minds as an educational speaker and spoke at the National Alzheimer's Conference and Texas Association of Homes for the aging.

Her love of humanity and generosity in all its forms was her gift to society. Her time, talent and commitment to help make life better for other people is a tremendous part of her legacy. She served on the board of the San Antonio Independent School of Vocational Nursing from 1982-1987. Was on the Board of Christian Senior Services commencing the Meals on Wheels program, SAM's Shelter, St. John's Senior Center, Senior Homebound Meals, The Shephard's Center and The Grace Place; an early Alzheimer's Day Care. Her expertise extended into multiple areas of healthcare. Esperanza served in the very first committee of nurses to partner with the San Antonio Chapter of American Diabetes Association. Her passion for educating providers was prevalent and the partnership created a space to share her research in state of the art medicines, diet and the care of diabetes. Together her committee and the Diabetes Association set up free diabetes screenings at all San Antonio malls.

Prior to her retirement Esperanza served as the Director of Nursing at Morningside Manor. In 1992, with 30+ years of professional dedication Esperanza retired. Deeply respected by her residents and peers, the impact she made was remarkable. Quoted once regarding her profession she remarked, "I believe in the quality of life. Even if a person can experience my compassion for only a moment of time, I will provide it."

Hope's artistic eye found beauty in everything around her and found so many ways to express that with everyone in her life. She taught herself to paint, loved gardening and doing all sorts of crafting with her grandchildren. She loved to write poetry and wrote many journals for her family. She embodied unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity and tremendous passion that could be seen in her care for her entire family and her residents.

When she retired, she spent her time being a caregiver for both of her parent's full time until their passing. Helping raise her great granddaughter Ruby, who lovingly nicknamed her "Grandma the Great". She loved sharing the beautiful letters written between her and Chevo while he was in the army before they were married and listening to her favorite music with her "Ruby Doobie" Esperanza spent the final years of her life residing with her daughter "E.B." and Jesse who were her devoted carEgivers after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Waiting for her at heaven's door, her husband Eusevio, her parents Roberto Sosa Riojas and Pomposa Farias Riojas, siblings Roberto Jr, Maria Elena, Dora, Fernando, Consuelo, Mercedes, and Antonio. her nephew who was so lovingly dedicated to her, Leonardo Garza.

She is survived by her daughters Maria Margarita Pena (Joe), Maria Isabel Martinez (Jesse), Maria Dolores Rymers (Santiago); siblings, Roberto F. Riojas, Armandina Barrera (Juan) and Francisco Riojas and dedicated loving brother Manuel Riojas (Lupe).

Grandchildren, JoAnn Pena, Joe Pena (Marisa), Jessica Pena, Priscilla Pena, Eusevio David Pena (Taylor), Angel Martinez-Meighan (Sylvester), Alyssa Martinez (Jeremy), Sirena Rymers, Sabrina Rymers, Santiago Rymers Jr., Samantha Rymers and Serenity Rymers.

Great-grandchildren, Ruby Pena, Javier Pena, Andrew Pena, Dominic Pena, Jayce Torres, Brayden Pena, Amaya Pena, Hazel Pena, Marisa Martinez, Evan Meighan, Ameera Martinez, Alexander Knudson, Zaiden and Lorenzo Gonzalez, and Adeline and Augustine Maldonado.

While our hearts mourn her loss, we take comfort knowing she is reunited with her love Chevo once again. Hope was a beacon of kindness and love and will forever reside in our hearts. We will forever cherish the beautiful memories with her. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us all.

Hope prioritized finding joy in life and sharing it with everyone she loved. In her honor, her family asks that you do the same - go out and do something that brings you real joy and share it with those around you.

The family will receive guests at Castillo Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm for visitation and at 6:00 pm for a Rosary Service.

A funeral mass will be conducted on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 10:00 am. Burial will immediately follow with a graveside service in San Fernando Cemetery II.