Della V. Esquibel

March 1, 1927 - September 12, 2019

After a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, longtime San Luis Valley resident and former Alamosa Public Schools teacher, Della V. Esquibel passed away at the age of 92 at Aspen Siesta Skilled Nursing in Denver, CO on September 12, 2019. Della is survived by three daughters, Therese Frazier (Denver, CO), Eva Esquibel (Teenan Anderson, Lake George, CO), Candy Wilson (John Wilson, San Diego, CA); and eight siblings: Lucy C. Quandt (Pueblo, CO), Ernest Jr. (Dollie, La Jara), Alfonso (Helen, La Jara), Ben (Bernadette, Phoenix, AZ), Margaret (Eliu, Phoenix, AZ), Eleanor (Albuquerque, NM), Inez (Lenexa, KS), and Richard (Sonda, Miami, FL). She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Lisa Larson, Johnny (Maureen) Wilson, Christi (John) Christopher, Brian (Lindsey) Anderson, Christopher Anderson, and Marley Frazier; ten great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Della is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Benina Valdez, her husband, Candelario Esquibel, and a brother, Frank. Della loved the outdoors, the mountains, gardening, flowers, baking (especially cinnamon rolls), playing the piano, painting, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A devout Catholic, Della was involved in Our Lady of the Valley Church in La Jara, Sacred Heart Church in Alamosa, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Colo Springs. Teaching children was Della’s passion. After graduating from Adams State University, Della taught for four years in Espanola, NM. Widowed after only 4 years of marriage, Della returned to the Valley and dedicated 32 years of service to the Alamosa Public Schools. After her retirement, she served as president of the Colorado Retired Teachers’ Association. Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Alamosa at 11:00 am and 12 noon respectively on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Interment will follow at the La Jara Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Della’s family respectfully requests that all contributions and donations please be made to the state or national chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or the local La Puente. .