Sandra Morrill Esparza, age 61, passed away at her home in Parker, CO on December 18, 2018 surrounded by her three sisters. Sandra was born on January 17, 1957, the fourth daughter of Nathan & Janice Morrill of North Danville, Vermont (both deceased). Sandra grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont and attended schools in North Danville and Danville, graduating from Danville High School in 1975.
She remained good friends with her classmates throughout her life. She attended college at Northeastern University and Lyndon State College, before pursuing her career in the hotel industry full-time. A very committed professional, Sandra’s career spanned more than 40 years, beginning in high school with a summer job at New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Hotel.
Her unparalleled work ethic and commitment to excellence in all aspects of hotel management led to leadership positions in several cities including New York, Seattle, Los Angeles and Scottsdale, AZ. The final decade of her career she served as Vice President of Operations for Stonebridge Companies in Englewood, CO. Respected for her experience and depth of knowledge, Sandra leaves behind many grateful colleagues who, working alongside her, learned from her dedicated and attentive mentorship.
Although successful in her career, Sandra’s most loyal and long-lasting endeavor was her steadfast advocacy for and support of her husband Henry Esparza, Jr. and his journey as a multimedia and collage artist. Sharing passions for art, music, southwestern culture and history, Sandra and Henry were married for nearly 29 years. Always asserting they wanted to leave this earth together, Henry unexpectedly passed away on May 2nd, pre-deceasing her by six months.
Devoted to family, Sandra leaves behind three sisters – Lynn Desharnais and husband, Robert of Barrington, NH; Suzanne Morrill of Williston, VT; Jane Morrill-Winter and husband Tim of Henniker, NH and two sisters-in-law, Joan Esparza of Sacramento, CA and Louise Forte and husband, Michael of Gardnerville, NV. She also leaves her mother-in-law, Rosemary Esparza, also of Gardnerville and father-in-law, Enrique Esparza and wife. Nydia of San Antonio, TX.
Sandra was a loving and generous aunt and great-aunt and enjoyed spending time with her nieces, nephews and their families in her various home regions throughout the country. She leaves behind eight nieces and nephews and five great-nieces and nephews: Scott Henry McNamara and fiancée, Ashley of Gardnerville, NV; Casey Desharnais and son, Dax of Montpelier, VT; Erin Holt, husband Doug, son Bodhi of York, ME; Kaetlyn Roberts, husband Tom, daughters Sidney and Whitley of Camas, WA, Kendra Bolton of Austin, TX; Jesse Morrill-Winter, wife MaryAda of Washington, DC; Caleb Morrill-Winter, wife Dana, daughter, Ella of Pineville, NC and Zachary Morrill-Winter of Santa Barbara, CA. Sandra was dedicated to supporting and advancing research in the fight against brain cancer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel St., Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458. A celebration of life for Sandra and Henry will be held in the spring in Parker, CO.
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