Esperanza "Hope" A., Elizondo-Fernandez

Esperanza (Hope) A. Elizondo-Fernandez, age 86, born Maria Esperanza Arispe on August 25, 1937 in Schertz, Cibolo, TX to Micaela Flores Arispe and Jose Villarreal Arispe went to be with her Lord, on January 27, 2024.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 26 years, Retired Command Sergeant Major Eduardo (Ed) Fernandez whom she affectionately called Mi Prieto. She is also survived by her first husband, Ernest Elizondo to whom she was married to for 23 years.

Hope is survived by her 3 beloved children, Ginny Elizondo-Horn whom she affectionately called Sugar and her husband, David Horn; Ernest Elizondo Jr. whom she affectionately called Ernie or Son and his wife, Anna; Lupita Fernandez-Santos whom she affectionately called Sugar Sugar and her husband, Victor Santos.

Her 9 grandchildren, Destiny Barrera-Barnes (Marcus), Desiree Barrera-Smith (Greg), Ernest Joel and Alyssa Janel Elizondo, Marla Santos-Werline (James), Eddie Santos (Raven), David Horn Jr. (Andria), Dawn Horn-Oliver (Jerry) and Brandon Horn.

Her 6 Great Grandchildren, Gianna Smith, Emmie, Camilla, Kairo Werline, Brodie and Ellie Santos.

Her siblings, Joe Arispe who passed away in 2021 (Camie), Peggy Arispe-Perez (Raymond) and Gladys Arispe-Boudreaux (Michael) who passed away in 2023.

She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was also known as a Madrina, Comadre, and affectionately called Gramcracker by her children and great-grandchildren.

Hope was a woman of God and was very strong in her faith. She was a member of St. Benedict's Catholic Church and enjoyed listening to Father Eddie Bernal's sermons before he went to heaven. She retired in 1994 after 33 years of civil service career as a GS-11, Technical Publications writer, Medical Science Speciality from the Academy of Health Sciences, Health Services Command at Fort Sam Houston. After retirement, she and her late husband, Ed founded the Drop Zone Cafe & Bar in San Antonio, which is still open, where she found much happiness among all her Airborne friends and their families. She enjoyed the Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association (ASWAA) that she became the writer for their newsletter. She was very proud of our Military and was very patriotic of men and women who served our country. She was past President and Life member of the Ladies Auxiliary Military Order of the Purple Heart. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, dancing, bowling, casinos, traveling, and sipping her tequila.

The family of Esperanza Elizondo-Fernandez wishes to thank Minerva Ortega of St. Michael's Personal Home Care for her kindness and support. Our mother was so full of life and will be missed by all.