Obituary of Jennifer Kay Escalante

Jennifer Kay Escalante was born March 5, 1972, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Thomas Wayne and Mildred Irene Hoffer.  She spent her final two years battling, no, BEATING Glioblastoma grade 4. On February 18, 2024, surrounded by family in Houston, Texas, she peacefully passed away to a song sung by her husband.  

She was preceded in death by her stepmother (in law) Joanna Tousley-Escalante.  She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Charles Thomas Escalante, son, Evan Escalante, son, Miles Escalante, parents, Wayne and Mildred Hoffer, in laws, Susan Matthews and Reynaldo Escalante, sister, Monica (Glenn) Kveton (Kyle, Clinton, Amy, Todd, and Theresa), brother, Mark (Linda) Hoffer (Emily, Sam, and James), sister, Kathleen Hoffer, brother, Matthew (Katy) Hoffer (Tatum and Theo), brother-in-law, Noel (Martha) Lashbrook (Camila and Ellie), and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Great Nieces, and Great Nephews.

Jen attended St. Patrick’s Elementary, Incarnate Word Junior High, and W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi.  She graduated from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.  A chance meeting outside Albert B. Alkek Library on campus led to a job at Sundance Records & Tapes.  She ran into a friend who worked there and was moving to Houston.  That friend became her future husband, “Tomas” Escalante.  They were married in their hometown of Corpus Christi and raised two amazing sons, Evan and Miles, in Houston.   Jen always chased her dreams.  One, which she shared with Tomas, was to own their own record store.  This was realized -twice - in 2004 when they opened Sig’s Lagoon in MidMain Houston, and in 2021 when they re-opened Sundance Record Lagoon in San Marcos, the store where they both worked and found each other.  Jen was the backbone of these stores.  Without her dedication, patience, support, and understanding, these stores would not exist.

Jen was a proud educator of kindergarten through 2nd grade, with the Houston Independent School District (Garden Oaks Montessori, School at St. George Place, Harvard Elementary, and Mark White Elementary) for 17 years.  There was nothing she loved more than her students and her fellow teachers.   She spent her spare time reading, being in the outdoors, traveling, seeing live music (especially at the Continental Club), rooting for the Houston Astros (doing the Altuve Polka), and most of all, spending time with family and many, many friends. Her smile was beautiful, her laugh was infectious, and her friendships were plentiful.   She was everyone’s best friend.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas.  A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Ecclesia (Downtown), 1100 Elder St., Houston, Texas 77007.  A Reception will follow at 12:00 noon at the Continental Club, 3700 Main St., Mid-Main, Houston, Texas 77002.  Jen’s favorite color was blue.  You can honor her at the memorial service, March 2, and on her birthday, March 5, by wearing blue. A private ceremony of the Rite of Interment will take place on a future date. 

Donations may be made to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation or Trees For Houston.