Victoria Chavolla de Espinoza

Our mother, Victoria (“Toya”) Chavolla de Espinoza, 92, passed away on April 20, 2023 very peacefully with family at her side. Toya was born on September 29, 1930 in Ecuandureo, Michoacán Mexico to Joaquin Chavolla and Victoria Ortiz Magdaleno. On February 6, 1963, Toya married the only love of her life, Jose Espinoza. They made Wichita, KS their home.

Toya and Jose welcomed five children. They set about teaching them the value of hard work, morals, values, commitment to family and most importantly they instilled the Catholic faith. Toya’s family was her most important achievement of her life!

Toya was talented in many aspects of her life. She was the brains behind her family. She was gifted in many areas. Her cooking and sewing abilities were unsurpassed. In addition, she was so gifted in crocheting, knitting, crafts, ceramics and tatting (a lost art). Above all, Toya was an excellent role model for her children.

Toya dearly loved her husband. They were inseparable. No matter how simple or routine the task or activity – attending mass, cooking, gardening, grocery shopping, doctor appointments – they were always at one another’s side.

Toya was a strong woman who faced every challenge in life with courage and dignity. Toya, always put her family before herself. One most memorable sacrifice relates to Toya’s dedication to her husband's caregiving during his five-year struggle with Alzheimer's. In 2019 she relocated to Missouri to be near one of her children and to continue her commitment to her husband’s needs. Ultimately, against all odds, she succeeded in keeping her husband comfortably at home. She faithfully remained at his side.

A life well-lived. A woman with simple taste, Toya remained focused on providing the best life possible for her family and without worrying about herself. Her love of her family was bigger than her own life.

Toya’s children remember she was a woman of strong faith. Toya taught her children the importance of hard work, dedication, endurance and doing what is right before God. Toya spent her life teaching her children her Catholic faith. She encouraged the high standards, morals and values that she and her husband held so strongly. One of her children recalls her guidance in her early years. At mass, they customarily sat second pew from the front. To instill the importance of the Holy Sacrament, faith and trust in God, Toya would lean over and whisper in her ear to stay focused on what is most important in life and kindly guide her in prayer. After mass she would remind her, “Holy Communion is most important and a one-hour a week dedication is a small request of us for His many graces.” To date, Toya’s words live.

Also, Toya encouraged her children to continue their education and to work hard. She supported each child in pursuit of their personal goals in life by making each one of her children feel special whether it was a small or big accomplishment. Reflecting on Toya’s life, it is evident her greatest joy was forming a productive family centered in Christ. As she lived for God, Toya received her last sacrament, wore her blessed Scapular and she assured the family, “I am ready when God calls.”

Toya was a selfless woman whose passing leaves an unfillable gap in the hearts of her loved ones. Toya was truly a great woman whose impact will be forever felt by her family that loves her dearly. Toya’s ability to sacrifice, provide, support, guide and love will forever be remembered.

Toya will forever live in our hearts. We love you! Rest in peace.

Toya is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Jose Espinoza; her daughter, Christina Espinoza; her parents, Joaquin and Victoria Chavolla; her siblings, Pedro Chavolla, Joaquin Chavolla, Concha Quiroz.

Toya is survived by four children, Joaquin (Pam) Espinoza, Aurelio “Frank” (Dana) Espinoza, Guadalupe (Todd) Nave, Maria (Christopher) Granado; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church at 6415 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119.

The family would like to thank Kansas City Hospice for their dedicated care during Toya’s most precious time – transitioning to eternal life.