Esmeralda Leos

Esmeralda “Sam” Leos  Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Esmeralda “Sam” Leos (70) surrounded by family, passed away on July 1, 2024 at Trios Southridge Hospital in Kennewick, WA. She was born on December 10, 1953 in Edinburg, Texas to Manuela (Pecina) and Santos Jose Leos Sr. Esmeralda was the daughter of migrant workers and learned the value of hard work early in life. She worked for years at the Toppenish Safeway in the bakery department where her children and many nieces and nephews would visit for the complimentary cookies! Esmeralda also worked many years as a paraprofessional at Toppenish Preschool. She was an advocate for the children she worked with and took pride in her job before she retired in 2012. Esmeralda enjoyed good Mexican music and dancing! She loved her coffee and Mexican sweet bread, enjoyed connecting with others, spending time with family and long conversations with her siblings and close friends Tina and Meche. She will always be remembered as a loving, independent, and hardworking mother. As a grandmother she expressed her unconditional love towards her grandchildren and showed genuine interest in their accomplishments and activities. She was a supportive sister, a caring aunt who took time to laugh with you and told you the hard truth when you needed it, but you knew she said it out of love. She was the first person to show up at your party and would always remember to wish you happy birthday and celebrate with you via social media. She loved a good yard sale for the deals and people watching. We were lucky to have her in our lives. Her genuine smile, strong laughter and tough wisdom will be missed by all who knew her. Esmeralda is survived by her children Michelle (Abner) Gallardo, Angela (Ward) Kayutak, Jose Pedro Guel Jr. and Demetrio (Norma Elkins) Sandoval. Her grandchildren, Alicia and Eliana Gallardo, Emilio, Terrance, Khalia and Chloe Kayutak and Andrew Sandoval. Her siblings Amparo Yzaguirre, Humberto (Olivia) Leos, Alvaro (Angelina) Leos, Maria Leos, Cristela Jaime, Arnold (Irma) Leos, Aminta (Victor) Veliz, Rosalva (Jesus) Guel, Sergio (Homero) Leos and Clarissa (Carlos Isidro) Lopez. Her many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Santos Jose Leos Sr. and Manuela Leos, and her siblings Jose Francisco Leos, Santos Jose Leos Jr.  Esmeralda's wishes were to have a private memorial and the family will be honoring her decision. The family will have a private gathering to celebrate her life and remember her spirit. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Esmeralda Leos, please visit our flower store.