Maria "Lupe" Guadalupe Saenz

Maria Guadalupe “Lupe” Saenz, age 82, passed away January 29, 2023. She was born on August 24, 1940 in San Diego, Texas to Juan Jose and Policarpia Luna in San Diego, Texas. She was born in a small wooden shack in the town of San Diego, Texas. She only weighed 3lbs. She was placed in a shoe box with a lamp placed over her to keep her warm. Although tiny, she was a fighter and survived against all odds. She described her childhood as extremely poor, but her mother was so strong that she provided for her and her brothers and sisters despite any hardships that the family encountered. She felt that her mother was such a good role model that this enabled her to be a strong mother. She stated that her childhood with her siblings was fun and adventurous, and they grew up loving one another and showing kindness towards each other.

She met Ramiro when she was teenager and they eloped. However, Ramiro’s mother insisted on a wedding and put together a small wedding in their home in which the family could attend and celebrate their union. Later, they were married through the church, as Lupe’s faith was always important to her. They stayed married for almost 64 years. Through thick and thin, sickness and in health, better and for worse.Their 64th wedding anniversary would have been celebrated February 11, 2023.

They had seven children together, two were called to heaven prematurely. The following are their surviving children who helped to make Lupe’s heart full of joy and love.

 Albert, married to Sandra, provided four grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Ruben, married to Soo Young, provided two grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Ramiro “Chicky”, married to Debbie (both deceased), provided 5 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Terrie, married to Michael, provided 4 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Tina, married to Leonard, provided 3 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

She acquired her GED and was a daycare teacher and then worked in home health. Maria loved taking care of people. Eventually her health would not allow her to work. She suffered from many heart issues. She loved reading. She enjoyed eating out (especially wings and margaritas), watching movies and football (except Tom Brady), getting pedicures, shopping, family dinners, parties, and playing games with her grandchildren. She loved flowers, especially artificial ones, and there weren’t many nooks and crannies that didn’t have an artificial flower in them at her home. Inside and out. Her bedspreads had flowers, her shirts had flowers and she smelled like a flower always. She danced ballet folklorico, sewed, gardened, babysat, and attended countless award ceremonies and recitals for her children and grandchildren. She was a Catholic and ensured that all her children attended bible study, CCD classes, were baptized and knew God was our Lord and Savior. Mary was our Queen Mother, and Jesus was our guide.

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 9pm on February 2, 2023 in the Seaside Funeral Home Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 7pm that same evening.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30am on February 3, 2023 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park. Having the distinguished honor to serve as pallbearers are David Brandon Cardenas, Jonathan Albert Saenz, Joshua Allen Saenz, Jonah Leo Downs, Jamison Jordan Ram Downs, and Daniel Paul Gonzalez.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.