Esperanza Santos

August 18, 1947 - April 16, 2024

We are deeply grateful for the immense love and happiness our beloved Mother Esperanza Santos, brought into our lives. She was born in Laoag City, Philippines, on August 18, 1947, to her late parents Teresa Paulino and Leon Santos. Surrounded by her loving family, she peacefully departed the morning of April 16 after bravely fighting months of hospitalization.

Esperanza was a devoted mother to her five children Marissa (Bienvenido), Rodelio (Imelda), Glenda (Richie), Marlon (Irene), and Antonette from her previous marriage to the late William Andres. Later, she found love once more and married Rodolfo Mateo, with whom she had two children Karen and Kathrina (George). She treasured the presence of her siblings Caridad, Pablo, Genie, Juanito, Dave and Violeta throughout her life. The memory of her late brother Pepito was deeply cherished by her. Family gatherings were moments she looked forward to, as they brought everyone together to create lasting memories and share in the joy of each other's company.

Driven by her unwavering determination, Esperanza immigrated to the United States with the help of her sister Genie. Esperanza left her children in the Philippines with the hope to reunite with them in the future. Through her hard work, she was able to bring three of her children to join her in the United States. Two of her children immigrated with their families to Canada, and the Eldest two remained in the Philippines with their families. Esperanza’s resourcefulness was evident throughout her life. While she may not have had a college degree, her intellect enabled her to navigate the world with wisdom and grace. She always found ways to provide for her children. Providing education for her children was very important to her and she considered it a measure of her own triumphs in life.

Though her health had been a battle in recent years, Esperanza fought with determination, never giving up on life. Her resilience and strength were an inspiration to all who knew her. Despite her illnesses, she continued to hold onto hope and cherished every moment spent with her family. As we bid farewell to our beloved Esperanza, let us remember her as a beacon of strength and love. May her resilience strengthen us through life's challenges and remind us to cherish the precious moments with our loved ones. Esperanza's memory will forever be engraved in the hearts of her grandchildren Kimberly, Kevin (Maureen), Fabian, Rommel, Adrienne, Ralph, Mark (Joana), Joseph Dave, Luigi, Meryl, Leo, and great grandchildren, Nathan and Aziel.

In this time of sorrow, let us find solace in the knowledge that Esperanza has found her eternal home in heaven. May her soul rest in everlasting peace, and may her memory continue to inspire us to live with the same determination, love, and resilience that she exemplified throughout her life.

A visitation for Esperanza will be held Monday, May 13, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary, 14801 Beach Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.