Clementa Esparza's Obituary
Clementa “Clem” Esparza, Native San Diegan, born in National City, and lifelong resident of San Diego
passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on March 9, 2018. Clem was 93 years young.
She was born in National City on November 23, 1924, to Ramon and Carmen Pena, both from Mexico.
Clem was born and raised in Old Town National City alongside her parents and seven siblings created
memories, family roots, and lifelong friends will always be treasured. Clem attended Central
Elementary, and Sweetwater High School. She was the second eldest of seven siblings, Blas Pena,
Eufemia “Femia” Zamora Contreras and Carmen Clifton predeceased her. Alice Salazar, Joe Pena and
John Pena are still living. She loved her siblings dearly. Clem married the love of her life Andrew
Esparza, Sr. (deceased 2011), in National City in 1946, and married at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
They raised four children Rita Trujillo, Andrew Esparza, Rosanna Vasquez & Adam Esparza in San Diego.
The family took annual vacations to Disneyland, and introduced the Hispanic culture of the Bullfights to
their oldest children, as well as the experience of dining on authentic Mexican food south of the border
on Sundays. Clem’s home was always opened to her children’s friends, her siblings and their families,
friends, neighbors, especially on holidays where her homemade pumpkin pies and enchiladas sat on
the kitchen table.
Clem’s passion for God, Family, the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), & adventures of any kind feed her
spirit for life. Clem was active in St. Jude’s Academy in San Diego where all four of her children
attended. Her passion for the VFW was inspired by her spouse who was a WWII Veteran. She joined
the VFW Post 7420, in 1955. Clem held several positions within the VFW, but the highest honor was
being the District President of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 7420, and for 24 years the District
Conductress. She organized multiple fundraisers for the American Cancer, produced and directed the
VFW Ladies Follies, bus trips, prepared food baskets for Veterans alone and in need of support. She
participated with the Ladies Auxiliary in many Memorial Day and the 4th of July patriotic parades,
volunteered tens of thousands of hours of community service, and attended approximately 50 VFW
Conventions Nationwide.
She loved to dance folkloric with castanets in her younger years and danced with Art Linkletter,
Television Host in the 1960’s. Clem retired from Wavetek a San Diego electronics company decades
ago. Clem was a breast cancer survivor. She enjoyed several cruises with her spouse, traveled with
two of her sisters to the east coast, loved dining out, and most recently ventured to Arizona to visit
great & great great grandchildren. Clem was highly respected by her family and friends. Clem was a
kind, gentle & loving soul who attended every invitation she received from family and friends to
celebrate any occasion. She was always ready to help out wherever needed, and later in her life she
was happy to simply sit back and enjoy her 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 9 great-great
grandchildren. Clem is survived by her children Rita Trujillo, Andrew Esparza, Rosanna Vasquez, son in
law Victor Vasquez Sr., Adam Esparza, daughter in law Nicole Esparza and will always be remembered
and loved in the hearts of the five generations left behind to share the legacy of her kind and gentle
spirit.
What’s your fondest memory of Clementa?
What’s a lesson you learned from Clementa?
Share a story where Clementa's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Clementa you’ll never forget.
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