She had a knack for sewing and cooking, a penchant for bingo and an occasionally disarming wit, but mostly, Janie Espinosa was known for her heart of gold.

On July 15, with family members at her bedside, Espinosa passed away peacefully in San Antonio. She was 92.

Born Juanita Alvarez on March 19, 1926, to parents Juan Alvarez and Andrea Verver Alvarez, "Janie" was raised on a farm outside Palacios. She learned early on that life on a farm could be tough.

In elementary school she would meet her lifelong sweetheart, Guadalupe Espinosa, who also had an upbringing working in the fields. Family members recalled stories of their parents playing softball together as youngsters – and how their mother was the better player.

In 1944, Guadalupe joined the U.S. Army and soon thereafter was deployed to Sicily, where he served for two years. He married Janie shortly after he returned to the states and the couple then moved to Freeport, where they lived briefly while raising their first two daughters. They then returned to Palacios, where they would raise their next five children. The Espinosas were married 43 years until Guadalupe died in 1991.

Over the decades, especially during the time she was raising her children, Janie maintained a busy schedule.

"She was busy with all of the kids," recalled Theresa "Terry" Farina, the eldest sibling. "There were piano lessons, band practice, football, choir --- whatever there was after school." The Espinosa home also became a frequent gathering spot for children after school.

Janie became exceptionally good at quilting, sewing and baking, and often would make gifts of her creations to family and friends. Occasionally, sweet-toothed neighbors would sheepishly ask Espinosa to bake one of her signature apple or lemon meringue pies.

Later in life, Janie enjoyed occasional outings with cousins and friends to play bingo. Often, she would win. She also served on a local Catholic group and attended Rosary and prayer sessions at people's homes.

"I remember mom always welcomed our friends to her house. That's who she was, and people loved her," said Janet Flores, her youngest daughter.

Besides her husband, Janie Espinosa was preceded in death by sons, Robert Espinosa and Guadalupe Espinosa Jr.; and sister Josefina Alvarez.

She is survived by daughters Theresa Farina of Tequesta, Fla., Carol Guajardo of Benavides (TX), Diana Galindo of San Antonio, and Janet Flores of Justin (TX); son Anthony Espinosa of Santa Fe (TX); brother Jesus Alvarez of Palacios; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm Thursday, July 19 with a 7:00pm Rosary at Palacios Funeral Home. Services will be 9:00am Friday, July 20, 2018 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Palacios. Interment will follow at Palacios Cemetery.