Esperanza Villacana

McAllen - With humble acceptance of God's will, we announce the passing of Esperanza (Hope) Villicana, 79 on July 10, 2024.

Hope was the beloved daughter of Jesus & Tomasita V. Ortiz, sister of Domitila (Rene) Hovey, Janie Morales, Maria (Lita) Villacana and aunt of multiple nephews and nieces. She was a 1963 graduate of McAllen High School and continued her education at Pan American University with a Bachelor's degree in Education from Edinburg Texas in 1967.

Hope taught at McAllen ISD for 45 years as a Coach, Health Teacher and Cheerleader sponsor. She truly lived life fully and spent most of her life doing what she loved best teaching and coaching volleyball, line dancing and basketball. She served at multiple schools with McAllen School District.

After retiring she enjoyed taking care of her fur babies, traveling with family and visiting different casinos throughout the United States. Hope had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. She will be truly missed by all.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Jesus V. Ortiz and Tomasita Villacana; sister: Ma. Guadalupe Valadez; nephews: Javier Valadez, Severo E. Valadez; brother-in-law: Rene Hovey.

Hope is survived by her siblings: Domitila Hovey, Juanita V. Morales, Ma. Luisa Villacana and Jesus Villacana; nieces and nephew: Mary Elizabeth Hovey, Daniel H. Valadez, Rene Jesus Hovey, John E. Hovey, Christine Cano, Michael E. Villacana, Michael E. Villacana, Jr., Makayla Villacana, Louis Valadez; great-grand nephews, great-grand niece; three great-great-grand nephews.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursday, July 18, 2024 with the Holy Rosary being recited at 7:00 pm at Rivera Funeral Home of McAllen. Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 pm Friday, July 19, 2024 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in McAllen. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jesus Villacana, Michael Villacana, Michael Villacana, Jr., John Louis Bocanegra, Daniel Valadez and Louis Valadez.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rivera Funeral Home of McAllen.

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