Esperanza "Espie" McBain Berry, age 94, a lifelong resident of El Paso, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2014. Espie, (known as Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren) was a devoted mother and wife, and an extraordinary grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Her heart of gold, love of family, and endless energy for life will be greatly missed. Espie was born in Tyrone, New Mexico, but lived most of her life in El Paso, Texas. Espie attended El Paso schools and graduated from Draughton's Business College in Augusta, Georgia. Espie worked at Ft. Gordon, GA and Fort Bliss, Texas as a Reutilization and Marketing Specialist. Espie retired from Civil Service after 25 years of dedicated service. Espie was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Luther D. Berry, her parents, Eva Siller McBain and Louis Carmichael McBain, her sisters, Eva McBain Andrews and Elsa McBain Ontiveros, her brothers, Manuel McBain, Louis McBain, Edward McBain, George McBain and Joe McBain.
Esperanza is survived by her daughters, Barbara Berry Duchouquette (David) El Paso and Patricia Berry Sasser (Sam) Flower Mound, TX and her "other" daughters, Lydia Ontiveros Calderon, and Toni Ontiveros Arredondo of California. Espie is also survived by her grandchildren, Andrea Sasser Frisbie (Heath) of Round Rock, TX, Deborah Duchouquette Cooledge (Mark) of El Paso, Michael Duchouquette, (Alix) El Paso and Kimberly Sasser Turner (Mike) of Flower Mound, TX, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Espie also has many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she adored.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at St. Rafael Parish. Rite of the Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Rafael Parish, 2301 Zanzibar. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Pallbearers include, Luciano McBain, Mark Cooledge, Heath Frisbie II, Houston Sasser, Mike Duchouquette, Luke Drinkwin, Louis McBain and Joe Michel. Special thanks to Alicia Juarez for her caregiving; her "family" at Regency Assisted Living of El Paso, Dr. Branch Craige, Hospice of El Paso. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hospice of El Paso or your preferred charity is appreciated.