Esperanza Alvarez

She was born on January 4, 1932 in Granada, Nicaragua to the late Dr. Vital and Ines Miranda. Married for 63 years to Dr. Gabriel Alvarez, their love story spans back much further to when they were kids. The time when they first fell in love was known only to them; their children speculating that it started when

they were in first or second grade. He always said the secret of their happiness was not

because he chose her, but rather because God put her on his path. Theirs was a perfect

example of a love that demonstrated that two truly do become one.

She was a devoted mother and wife who lived for her family. Her faith was unshakeable and

once she learned about St. Padre Pio, she turned to him often, flooding him with requests for

intercessions. She never let an opportunity for prayer go to waste, like always offering a prayer

whenever she heard an ambulance. Her family always believed it was thanks to St. Padre Pio

that a miracle took place when she nearly lost her life in 2008 giving them 12 more years with

her. She always considered it a priority to teach her children and grandchildren the importance

of having faith in God and the importance of having a strong family bond.

She had a strong will to live, overcoming many adversities without ever complaining or giving

up. Along with her loving husband, they made many sacrifices to make sure their children and

grandchildren would have many opportunities in life. They would always be encouraged and

supported by her words and actions.

Born into a military family, she was doted on by her father. She lived in Managua, Nicaragua

and then moved back to Granada as a young child. While there, she attended the old Carmela

Noguera School and later worked as an accountant, elementary school teacher and a typist.

She became the favorite of many of her uncles, aunts and cousins who would call her by

several affectionate names. She was “Mimi” to her immediate family; "Mi Madre" to her

husband; “Esperancita,” “Pelancha,” “Tiíta” and “Muñequita” to other family members. Always a

great hostess, her nieces and nephews used to say that a visit with her meant leaving with lots

of great memories and a few extra pounds.

She immigrated to the United States in the late 1950’s and married in Los Angeles, California.

There, she worked at The National School as an administrator while attending school to learn

English. It was at this time that her oldest daughter was born. After a few years, they returned to

Nicaragua where the rest of her children were born. Together with her husband, they took part

in several diverse enterprises including a small pharmaceutical company, a retail pharmacy and,

for a short time, a tile manufacturing plant. In the early 1980’s she immigrated back to the United

States together with her family and lived in Miami, Florida for several years before settling down

in the Houston area. She then became a full time homemaker and cared for her aging mother

and some of her grandchildren.

She loved to cook, travel, listen to music and in her later years, watch Tom and Jerry and

Scooby Doo. Her love of animals would lead her to save many injured ones. At one point in her

life she had dogs, cats, parrots, parakeets, bunnies, chickens and a turkey, all at the same time

and cared for them individually. It all started when her father would bring her, as a young girl,

different exotic animals as gifts like a fawn, a tiger cub and a monkey.

She is survived by her husband Gabriel; her children Gabriel Alvarez (Elaine), Dr. Elizabeth

Alvarez and Dr. Maria Esperanza Hernandez (Zef); her grandchildren, Francisco Arana

(Natasha), Nila Arana, Gabriela Price (Michael), Oscar Rivera, Ines Arana, Gabriel Alvarez,

Miguel Arana, Rafael Arana, Sebastian Alvarez, Peter Alvarez, Sergio Alvarez and Alexander

Alvarez; her great-grandchildren, Natasha Arana, Juliana Arana and Chase Price. She is

preceded in death by her daughters Maria Helena Arana and Esperancita Dolores Alvarez; her

son-in-law Jose Francisco Arana; her sister Auxilio Sirias and her brother Dr. Silvio Miranda.

Her kindness, sweetness and loving nature will forever remain with everyone who met her.

Heaven now rejoices because it has gained her.