Leonora H. Espania, passed peacefully on Wednesday, July 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1947 to Stanley and Helen Georgeo, she is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Leroy Espania and her children Alejandro (Denise) Espania, Eleni (David) Hirasuna, Natalie Espania, Athena Keehu, and grandchildren Adonis, Apollo, Ioane, Niko, Elias, Eleonora, and many dear friends and family. At 18, Leonora moved to Hawaii, attended UH and worked in the hotel industry, where she was part of the management team which opened the Sheraton Hotel in Waikiki. In 1981 Leonora started her career at Punahou School and after close to 40 years of service was awarded Punahou's Old School Award. Over the years, in addition to sharing her aloha with Punahou, she kept busy with her catering business "Have Food Will Travel", Raven Restaurant in downtown Honolulu and caterer for Central Union Church. Leonora was also a member of Les dames d'Escoffier and volunteered with Honolulu Police Department's training division. Leonora enjoyed traveling the world with her children and visiting friends and family on the mainland, Greece, England, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. She empowered people to live their best lives - recognizing the potential in others and then advocating that they pursue their passion. She was a life coach to many, in addition to being a wife, mother, Yiayia and friend. A celebration of life will be held in the future. Memorial gifts may be made to Punahou School and directed toward the Espania Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements Provided By: Oahu Mortuary
