Elizabeth Angel Sophia Esparza of Valley Home, CA. tragically passed away on Sept. 18, 2024, at San Joaquin General Hospital at the age of 39.
Elizabeth was born on Nov. 28, 1984, at San Joaquin General Hospital to Chuck and Kathy Esparza. Elizabeth grew up with her two brothers, Joshua and Daniel, in Valley Home, CA. She attended Valley Home Elementary School and graduated from Oakdale High School in 2003. She continued her higher education receiving her certification in Vocational Nursing from Western Career College, her Associates of Arts from Modesto Junior College, her Associated of Science, Nursing from Merced College, she completed Registered Nursing Program from Merced College, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. Elizabeth started as an LVN Charge nurse in 2011. She was currently a staff Nurse at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, CA where she worked in the SICU.
If you knew Liz growing up, you could catch her on the softball field. Elizabeth started her softball career at ten years old playing for OVYSA. When she was twelve, she started playing travel ball with Valley Magic, High Voltage, and Hughson Hurricanes. In her sophomore year of high school, she joined the Varsity softball team at Oakdale High. She continued her softball career playing for two years at Modesto Junior College. Although she played third base and outfield sometimes, her true love was playing behind the plate. She wore and loved her number 13 and recently got matching tattoos with two of her closest friends. She went on to help create and play for the Knockouts with ladies who became some of her best friends. All through her softball career her mom and dad were her biggest fans.
Elizabeth had a passion for travelling, whether it was a day trip to the zoo with her boys or long vacations to Hawaii, she was always planning something.
Elizabeth was known for her kind heart, big smile, and good conversations. She loved spending time with her family and friends, always organizing the next get-together. Taking care of her boys was her biggest accomplishment, they were her pride and joy. She was looking forward to a bright future with her boys and a new special friend.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her grandparents, George Grant (1921 – 1987), Margaret Grant (1919 – 2006) Frank Esparza (1937 – 2006), Josephine Esparza (1942 – 2019), and her oldest brother Charles O’Grady (1980 – 2022).
Elizabeth is survived by her two sons, Nolan Joshua Stephen Gori (8) and Lucas Kaleb Anthony Gori (3), her parents Chuck and Kathy Fisher, two brothers, Joshua Derrough and Diana, Daniel Esparza and Kimberlee, honorary sister, Jessica Connor, nieces and nephews, Kaylee, Austin, Emma, Keirah, Kellen, Elias, Brayden, and Logan, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Elizabeth’s Funeral Service will take place at The House in Modesto, CA on Oct. 5, 2024, at 3:30 p.m.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Oct. 2, 2024
