Pauline Emma Esparza

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Glendale, Arizona on August 23rd, 2017.

Pauline was born in St. Albans, Vermont on May 11, 1934. She was the only child of Eugene Tessier and Bernice Barup. 6 months after her birth, Pauline’s father was killed. Later, her mother married Hayden Slayton and together they had children Scott, Junior, Peggy, Barbara Jean, Tommy, Ron, Rayna Lee, Michael, Pamela and Shaft. Pauline always spoke fondly of her family in New Hampshire and shared many stories of her youth there.

In 1959, Pauline moved to Arizona and had since made Arizona her home. Most of her career was in the restaurant industry. She started as a waitress and worked her way up to General Manager of Guggy’s Family Restaurants, where she worked for 32 years. Since she loved to be active, after she retired from Guggy’s, she continued to work in some compacity, which included Shaklee, Basha’s and Cheyenne Elementary School in Scottsdale in the cafeteria.

Pauline had three children in her first marriage: Kerry, Darlene, and Keith. After her second marriage to Vince Esparza, she was the step-mother to David, Margie, Patti, Vince, Gilbert and Marta. A year after her marriage to Vince, she gave birth to their youngest son, John.

After John was born, the family moved to Glendale, Arizona were the family made their home and where Pauline continued to live after the death of her husband, Vince.

She loved all her grandchildren: Angie, Bryce, Craig, Shawn, Vince IV, Kristin, Anthony, Tanner, Jacob, Isabella, Andrew, Travis, Tyler, Morgan, Jordan, Adam, and Garett and her great grandchildren who include Nick and Cheyanne and even her great-great-grandchildren who includes Noah. Pauline was a very active in continuing to attend as many events and activities of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Those who knew Pauline in any capacity, know she was a feisty lady and know she was always true to her word. She always followed through in anything she said she would do. She was one of the most supporting persons to anyone that needed it and she was always extremely proud of her family. She loved children and loved being around them. Pauline was a loving, giving person and she will be greatly missed.

She trusted in God and her faith though tested was never in doubt. She has moved into God’s Heaven along with her husband Vince, step-son David, son Kerry, her daughter Darlene, her mother Bernice, Father Eugene, Step-Father Hayden, Sisters Barbara Jean and Peggy, and Brothers Junior and Rayna Lee.

Donations: American Heart Association

Please join us in celebrating the life of Pauline on Tuesday, September 19th from 2PM to 8PM at the Esparza residence.