Esperanza Ruiz Vaca Jimenez, 92, of Denver, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Lutheran Hospice in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, surrounded by family and friends. She was born March 14, 1931, and was from Kansas City, Missouri. She enjoyed the KC Chiefs.

Esperanza was preceded in death by her parents Ishmael  and Adela Ruiz; sisters Mary Tejeda, Lupe Sandoval, Gloria Vargas; brothers Roy, Louis, and Joseph Ruiz; two sons Epifanio (Chito) Vaca and Robert Vaca; grandsons Mark Anthony Lopez, Epifanio Manuel Vaca; and two great-granddaughters Faith and Hope Florez.

She is survived by her husband Jose Jimenez of Denver; brother Carlos  (Josephine) Ruiz of Kansas City; daughters Virginia (Nardie) Gill, Mary (Erie) Lopez, Josephine (Mike) Ruiz and Esperanza Renee Vaca; sons JohnJoe Vaca, Louis (Kristi) Vaca, all of Kansas City, and Edward Jimenez of Denver, Colorado; as well as 22 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Private services were held Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Mt. Saint Mary's Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com