Eufemia Esparra

Eufemia Esparra, 89

CAMPBELL…Eufemia “Nin” Esparra, 89, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, June 27, 2025. 

Nin was born March 20, 1936, in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, to parents Manuel Vasquez and Rosa Agosto, and was one of 18 children.  She married the love of her life, Porfirio “Fiyo” Esparra, on January 9, 1953, and for 72 years, they travelled the world together until his death on December 24, 2024.  Nin was a devout Catholic, devoted wife, mother and grandmother who highly valued education and volunteerism.  

Nin was employed as a Nutrition Educator for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) at The Ohio State University from 1969 to 1990.  She was civic minded and very active in her community.  During the 1970’s, she supported and assisted in the development of numerous programs for young girls at the East Branch Library in Youngstown, including establishing the first 4-H group in the inner city that showcased several ribbon-winning exhibits at the Canfield Fair.             

Nin was a proud member of the Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana (OCCHA).  In 1985, she received the Clever Homemakers Food Calendar Recipe winner award, and in 1990, was named Mother of the Year by the Sociedad de Damas Hijos de Borinquen. 

Nin was a founding member of her original church parish, Santa Rosa De Lima, fulfilling the need to create a Spanish speaking parish for the influx of Puerto Ricans that continued to migrate to the Mahoning Valley. 

Nin specifically felt being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion helped increase her faith and her desire to always serve the community.  She enthusiastically sang in the Choir, served as a Lector, and participated in the Ladies Society; Cursillo Movement; Parents for Christian Education; Weekly Bingo and Annual Festival work crews.      

From 2000 to 2008, Nin volunteered at the Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton, Ohio with the Catholic Prison Ministry, serving those incarcerated.  She was especially passionate about this project.  She often told her family and friends, “I loved going to the prison to minister.  They understood God’s message even with my Spanish accent.  They were grateful for our efforts and told us so.”    

Nin will be deeply missed and always remembered by her children, Rosa (Bob Buchanan); Porfirio Jr. (Sandy Burgos); Leticia Esparra-Gonzalez; Diana (Tom Parry); Elsa (Ray Garcia); Reynaldo (Nancy Burgos); Lydia (Greg Truhan); Anabel (Jim Collins); Lilian (Craig Maddox); Siblings Rosin; Crucita; Coin; Manuel Jr.; and Rafeal; 34 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Nin was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Fiyo; her daughter, Minerva “Memby” Esparra-Saver; and thirteen siblings. 

The Esparra family is deeply grateful for the loving care our mother received from her caregivers, especially her two granddaughters, Elena and Celia.  We now entrust our loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell and will receive friends and family on Wednesday July 2, 2025, from 4-7 PM at the funeral home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Thursday July 3, 2025, at the Cathedral Parish of St. Columba in Youngstown; with the Rev. Frasseti Davis O.P., officiating. Everyone is invited to meet directly at the Cathedral on Thursday for the Mass.  Eufemia will be laid to rest at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Cemetery in Lowellville, Ohio.

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