Isidra A. Espiritu

Isidra A. Espiritu
A long term resident of Watsonville
Born 5/15/1925, passed away peacefully on Wednesday 4/24/2013 surrounded by loving family members.
Isidra came to Santa Cruz County in 1948 from Texas. Growing up on a cattle ranch , she left the country for the city life. Isidra was schooled in secretarial studies and as a teacher. She raised 5 children. She was insistent on academic excellence in getting an education for her children and grand kids. All her kids graduated from Watsonville HS and 4 went on to receive college degrees, two at Ivy League Schools. All of her grand children have college degrees or are in the process of earning them which gave her much pleasure.
Isidra would use her training to help her family. While raising her kids she became and excelled in Avon Products sales, using her shorthand to make copious notes of sale prospects and using her business skills to maintain accounting and customer files. She loved math/business and took these skills to a job she held with the Green Giant Pillsbury Company in the Quality Control department (USDA). All of the above was done while raising her kids. She was very industrious and hard working. Isidra retired as a Teamster Local 912 member.
A lifelong member of the Roman Catholic faith, Isidra belonged to 3 local parishes and was active in prayer groups. In retirement, Isidra spent time using her creative skills in knitting, crocheting, water color painting, and ceramics. In her 70's she realized the future of computers and in her quest for knowledge and self-improvement went back to adult school to learn them. She loved using Sykpe to communicate to her youngest son Robert, in Sydney, and her grandson, Nathan, in Singapore. Her faith and personality were inspirational to all around her. She provided a positive outlook to all, including caregivers at her last residence at Pacific Coast Manor in Capitola.
Isidra was preceded in death by her husband, Maximo Espiritu, and their son David. She leaves her children, Olivia Hillman and her husband, James; Peter Espiritu and his wife, Janice; Tisha Scurich; Robert Espiritu and his wife, Monica; and Grandchildren - Kristina, Jayme, Daniel, Jordan, Nathan, J.J., Gina, Monique, and Daniella. Additionally, she leaves her sisters Petra and Esperanza and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Viewing will be held on Monday 5-7PM at Valley Catholic Church, Rosary at 7p.m. at Valley Catholic Church. Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 10AM followed by burial at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park at the family plot. Funeral arrangements handled by Mehl's Colonial Chapel.