Deborah Eseranza Zane

Deborah Esperanza Zane Deborah Esperanza Zane died peacefully on October 21, 2022, at her home in Salida, Colorado. Esperanza was born in San Diego, California on July 9, 1945, to Edward and Lou Zane. She was married to Donald Hughes from 1965 to 1978 and together they were blessed with a son, Zackary. She spent most of her life in San Diego until 2011, when she moved to Salida Colorado to be with her son and grandchildren. She was an artist and an academic, earning multiple degrees from San Diego State University including Geography and Religious Studies. She was an apprentice of Professor Allen Anderson, who guided her on her lifelong spiritual journey. She called herself a traveler of the “path of spirit”. She was a textile artist, first as a dyer and spinner of wool fleece and then as a loom weaver. She produced wall tapestries and later specialized in art-towear by weaving her own fabrics and designing hand-crafted clothing. Her clothing was sold in locations across the United States including Santa Fe, New York City, San Francisco and San Diego. Later in life she explored the medium of handmade silk and felt. Though art and the study of Self Transformation were her passions, she was also an avid gardener, cook and mother to Bear, her little white dog. Many Salidans will remember Esperanza on one of her daily walks in downtown with Bear by her side. Her garden was full of vibrant flowers and her vegetable harvest was always bountiful. She loved a good celebration, perfecting new recipes and her baking skills were second to none. Friends and family will remember her as kind, generous, creative and a dedicated scholar and writer. Survivors include her son Zackary Hughes, his wife Susan and their two daughters Izzy and Maggie. She will be forever loved.

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