Christina Guardiola Espinoza, a beautiful, loving mother, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019 at the age of 89 in Visiting Nurse Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.
The daughter of Jose and Maria Guardiola, she was born on July 24, 1929, in San Marcos, Texas.
She was a lifelong resident of Kosciusko County and was the matriarch of the Espinoza family.
Christina was a pillar of strength, an inspiration that made her children believe they could accomplish anything if they worked hard; “Never Give Up” was her motto. Christina believed that kindness was what was expected of every human being and instilled those values in her children.
Christina was everyone’s favorite tia (aunt), abuellita (grandma), neighbor and friend.
She is survived by seven children: Mary Hostetler of Warsaw; Rodolfo (Melanie) Espinoza of Nappanee; Diana Rager of Warsaw; Rebecca (Michael) Kubacki of Syracuse; Baldemar (Cathy) Espinoza of Warsaw; Enrique (Anna) Espinoza of McAllen, Texas; and Ricardo Espinoza of Eatonville, Wash. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren: Marcia (Bryan) Rhoades, Sarah Hostetler, Melissa Espinoza, Jeremy (Eleasha) Espinoza, Eric (Christopher) Whitsel, Jeese Espinoza, Christopher (Stephanie) Rager, Tisha Rager, Gabriel (Kammi) Rager, Katherine Kubacki (Jason) Kitson, Matthew (Megan) Kubacki; Milo Espinoza, Joaquin Espinoza, Becky Espinoza, Sabina Espinoza, Christina Espinoza, Rodney (Kim) Espinoza, Angela Espinoza and Laudan (Maia) Espinoza; and 21 great-grandchildren: Riley Rhoades, Jack Rhoades, Corbin (Abbey) Espinoza, Kloe Espinoza, Clarke Espinoza, Abigail Espinoza, Marley Espinoza, Stone Rager, Payne Rager, Cash Rager, Kiana Rager, Miles Rager, Isabella Silva, Roman Silva, Caitlin Kitson, Austy Kitson, Isabella Pino, Rodney Espinoza Jr., Dillon Espinoza, Nino Espinoza and Kali Espinoza.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Dominic Rager (2014) and great-granddaughter, Cassandra Rager (1995).
Friends may join family for a time of visitation and sharing of memories on Wednesday, May 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan St., Warsaw.
On Thursday at 10 a.m., Christina’s grandson, Christopher Rager, will officiate a celebration of life at the funeral home. A graveside committal will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.
