Bertha Esparza was an affectionate and attentive wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend. She left to be with Our Heavenly Father on May 25th, 2021, at age 90.

She was born in East L.A. to Amalia and Jose Fernandez on February 16, 1931. Her family moved to Tucson, Arizona, when she was an infant, and this is where she was raised and grew up. She graduated from Tucson High School in 1949. On October 24th, 1953, she married John Esparza at St. Augustine Cathedral. They raised nine children together and have 20 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Serving God and serving her family were her two top priorities. Bertha was a dedicated parishioner at St. Augustine Cathedral and served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, religious educator, commentator, church volunteer for fundraisers, money counting, and often invited priests over to her home for dinner. She loved to cook and teach her family members how to prepare meals, dance at family birthdays and gatherings, and was an exceptionally talented artist.

The Rosary and Mass services will occur on June 4th, 2021, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church (1946 E Lee St, Tucson, AZ 85719) and begin at 9 a.m. The committal ceremony will occur at Holy Hope Cemetery (3555 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705) following the Church services, and masks are required by the cemetery for those in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church or the Community Food Bank.