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Esperanza Lee Obituary
August 17, 1931 - August 30, 2025
Esperanza "Espie " Lee was born on August 17, 1931 in Santa Maria, California. She passed away peacefully at home on August 30, 2025.
She was a member of the Jacinto B. Curaza Pioneer family who settled in the Santa Maria Valley in 1928.
Espie and her siblings attended Olive School in Sisquoc, under the tutelage of Teacher Erlinda Ontiveros, and graduated from Santa Maria High School, Class of 1949.
Shortly thereafter, Espie moved to Los Angeles and attended Business school. She pursued a career in Banking and was subsequently employed by Bank of America and Crocker National Bank for 16 years.
During her stay she met her husband James "Jim" Lee and they were married a few years later, in Santa Maria on August 21, 1954 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. The two of them recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.
In 1968, due to the transfer of Jim's employment with the California Highway Patrol they relocated to Santa Maria. They opened and operated Kenpo Karate Studio in the early 1970's, for 30 years. Espie was both a mom and mentor for all the students who trained with them.
She was an active member of the Rancho Bowl Bowling League for many years. Enjoyment for her included bowling, sports events, Word Search puzzles and family celebrations with food, games and music.
Her best memories were the love of her family dogs BoboDee, Daisy Mae, Electra and Chrissey.
Espie was a loving, caring, generous person who displayed humility for family and friends. A donor to many charitable organizations.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, James B. Lee and sister, Flora C. Reyes, many nieces and nephews from the Curaza, Bisquera, Plaza and Cole families.
Preceded in death by parents, Jacinto and Rosario Curaza, sisters, Helen B. Cole, Virginia Plaza, Carol Bisquera, Amparo Muca, Gloria Manalo, Christina and Corazon Curaza brothers, Benjamin and Henry Hank Curaza.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025 at 9:30 in Santa Maria at St. Mary's of the Assumption Church.
Interment will be held at a later date in the Dudley Hoffman Memory Gardens.
Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Hospice Nurses for their sincere devotion and dedication.
In Lieu of flowers, please offer a contribution to Dignity Health Hospice in her memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Esperanza Lee
Funeral services provided by:
Dudley-Hoffman Mort, Crematory & Memory Gardens1003 E Stowell Rd P.O. Box 248, Santa Maria, CA 93454
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