Irene Acosta Espinoza

Irene A Espinoza, 85, of Visalia, CA passed away on March 7, 2024. Irene was born September 14, 1938 in Los Angeles, California to Jennie and John Acosta. The second oldest of 15 siblings, Irene was a shining example of the American dream. Married to Manuel Espinoza, Irene worked tirelessly to earn her degree in early childhood development all while raising three successful daughters. She became a Head Start teacher and worked religiously until her retirement in August 2005. Irene believed that if you wanted something, you worked for it. She worked a second job at Mervyns for over 25 years. And subsequently took a part-time job at Kohl's to keep herself busy in retirement. Irene was an adventurer. She taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to dream big, travel, enjoy vacations and to live in the moment and appreciate all the things that hard work could accomplish. She was fiercely independent and found a way to make what she wanted to happen. She was generous to all her family and friends and enjoyed gifting her many finds from shopping. In her retirement years she enjoyed traveling with the Gadabouts from Visalia and loved day trips to San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles and numerous other locations. She delighted in taking cruises from quick 3-day trips to Mexico to more expansive trips to Alaska and the Caribbean. Her love of music infiltrated every conversation, and loved going to concerts and admiring talented individuals. She would discuss shows like The Voice and American Idol with every person she ran into. This love of music is what attracted her to late husband, Manuel Espinoza, who played in the band, The 5 Aces. She loved dancing and was always out on the dance floor. She lived life with passion and happiness and taught her grandchildren and great-grandchildren the joy of fast cars and loud music on many trips to the central coast. Everyone who rode with her had to listen to several standard go-to playlists which included Kenny Rogers, Rick Astley and many more. Irene is survived by her children; Rosie and Noel Anderson, Jennie and Andrew Porreco, and Helen Long, her grandchildren; Rebecca and Michael Horder, Vanessa Anderson, Patricia and Dustin Hamilton, Melissa Stewart, Briane Brisson, Christopher and Emily Brisson, and her great-grandchildren; Madisyn Hamilton, Mackenzie Hamilton, Jack Horder and Sebastian Stewart. Irene is preceded in death by her husband Manuel Espinoza, her parents, and her siblings Frances Estrada, Johnny Acosta, Mike Acosta, Dario Acosta, Helen Nunez and Carmen Herrera. She will be missed most for how she loved and lived, with passion, resilience, and courage. Her life will be celebrated by family and friends at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Viewing will be held 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday, March 28th, 2024 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Friday, March 29th, 2024 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will be held 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Friday, March 29th, 2024 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia. Celebration of Life reception will be at the Sierra Village Center at 1:30 PM. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Irene Acosta Espinoza

September 14, 1938 - March 7, 2024