Mary A. Escobar
A life-long Santa Barbaran, Mary A. Escobar, 95, passed away on September 13, 2024 peacefully on her terms at her home. Mary was born on December 1, 1928 to Manuel and Julita (Julia) Aguayo.
Mary attended grade school through the 3rd grade but was a life-long student learning through the eyes of her children. Mary had impeccable cursive handwriting and book keeping skills that are rarely taught in today’s era. Mary attended weekly adult literacy classes at the Santa Barbara Public Library into her 80’s.
Mary met Santos Escobar her husband to be at a local dance and it was love at first sight. They got married at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church after courting for several months and spent 65 years together until his passing on August 30, 2015.
A great part of Mary’s life was raising her children and later taking care of her grandchildren. Mary was an honorary Santa Barbara High School Don. When the High School Athletic Department did not have the funds to launder and iron game day Football / Basketball uniforms in the 60’s-70’s she stepped to the plate and professionally performed this duty at her home after being coaxed by her husband. It was a sight to be seen of 85 football uniforms being hung to dry on home made racks in our patio.
Mary was very generous when it came to sharing her home cooked meals. She always made more than enough because she never knew who would be dropping by to eat. The best part of every meal were homemade flour tortillas.
Mary was an excellent gardener. She loved raising vegetables and she loved flowers. All of them were her favorites. She loved singing in Spanish. She loved walking and that evening stroll through Shoreline Park with her husband. In her late 80’s until the end she would walk a couple blocks through her neighborhood admiring neighbor’s gardens.
Mary’s 95 years on this earth were exceptional. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a quiet woman but when she spoke you listened. She was kind and warm hearted who will be dearly missed.
Mary is survived by her four children Joseph Escobar (Mimi), Mary Escobar-Duprey (John), Mona Escobar-Ornelas (Carlos) and Santos Escobar (Jennifer). Her grandchildren Seth (Darlene), Michal Escobar-Retter (Kyle), Natasha Ornelas-Gonzales (Henry), Isaiah Ornelas (Sal), John Duprey, Kristina Duprey-Miller (Dustin), Matthew and Taylor Rose Escobar and her great-grandson’s Benjamin and Dominic Escobar, and great-granddaughter’s Naomi Grace and Mila Retter and Samatha Miller including many nephews and nieces who she loved. She leaves her brothers Manuel and Catarino Aguayo. Proceeded in death are Brothers Rosendo, Apolinar, Angel, Vicente and Sisters Carmen, Soledad and Jesus.
Our thanks to Dr. Richard Ponce, and to Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc. Dr. Michael Bordofsky, caregivers Clara, Rosa, Jeanne and Maria.
The Rosary will be held at 7 pm, Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 21 E. Sola St. in Santa Barbara. The Funeral Mass is at 10 am, Friday, October 11, 2024 also at Our Lady of Sorrows. Burial immediately following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery at 199 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. Please consider a donation to Visiting Nurses and Hospice of Santa Barbara. Arrangements entrusted to Welch-Ryce Haider Funeral Chapels.