Esperanza “Hope” Padilla, 80, of Galesburg, died peacefully at home Monday, April 12, 2021, at 6:05 a.m.
Hope was born July 9, 1940 in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico, the daughter of Otilio and Maria P. (Orozco) Ojeda. She married Anthony J. Padilla on August 5, 1961, in Galesburg. Hope is survived by her husband of 60 years, Tony of Galesburg; one son, Anthony Padilla, Jr. of Galesburg; one daughter, Sylvia Rodriguez of Galesburg; a special son, Ignacio Guerrero of Galesburg; two granddaughters, Heather Guerrero and Alexia Rodriguez; and three great-grandchildren, Adriana Guerrero, Erika Banderas, and Azaria Collins. Hope is also survived by three brothers, Joe (Kaye) Ojeda, Manuel Ojeda, and Andy (Delores) Orozco, all of Galesburg; and one sister, Mary (Mark) Johnson of Galesburg. Along with her parents, Hope was preceded in death by two sisters, Antonia Padilla and Carmen Nava-Ojeda; and two brothers, Ruben Orozco and Julio Ojeda.
Hope worked at Admiral and later Maytag, retiring after 30 years of service. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Galesburg. Hope enjoyed dancing, going to the casino, cooking, and her novellas.
Private family services will be held. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. The burial of cremated remains will be at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
