Guadalupe ‘Lupe’ Rivera, age 90 of Katy and formerly Houston, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at her home. Lupe joins her husband, Gregorio ‘Greg’ Rivera, Jr. in heaven. This past January 13, 2024 was their 67th Wedding Anniversary.
Lupe was born on May 21, 1933, in Corpus Christi, Texas and the daughter of Carmen Tapia and Matias Tapia. She graduated from W.B. Ray High School. One sibling—brother Manuel Tapia who preceded her in death January 2022.
Upon completion of high school, she met the love of her life, Greg Rivera. After the completion of his military service, they joyfully married, began a new journey, and moved to Houston, Texas.
They raised two children, daughter/Lucille Rivera and son/Arnold Rivera (Theresa). Three grandchildren, Greg Rivera (Miranda), Erika Rivera Gutierrez (Reynaldo) and Martin Rivera (Casee). Five great grandchildren, Gideon Rivera, Ferdinand Rivera, Emry Gutierrez, Briella Rivera and Ezekiel (Zeke) Rivera.
After many years as a dedicated special education teacher’s aide at Fondren Elementary, Lupe retired from HISD. Upon retirement, she and Greg would make yearly spiritual pilgrimages to Mexico with Bishop Flores. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and named after la Virgen de Guadalupe.
Her hobbies included gardening and spending time with her grandchildren—she loved being a grandmother and spoiling her grandkids. She was a lover of TV soap operas and Spanish novellas. She appreciated mariachi music and boleros. Lupe had a beautiful voice—always singing when doing household chores. She was a great cook—pancakes were her Sunday morning specialty. Weekend excursions included trips to the local mall, K-Mart, Wendy’s for Frostys, Dairy Queen, and Luby’s. Lupe will always be remembered as kind, gentle, and funny with a sly sense of humor.
Guadalupe Rivera-- Lupe, Lupita, Pita, Mom, Gramo, Mimo, will be missed but not forgotten. Lupe was blessed for many years with an exceptional caretaker—Monica Garcia who referred to her as “mi Reina”. Words cannot express our gratitude to Monica and her husband Diego and we wish them both a safe journey as they return to their beloved home country of Spain.
Visitation for Lupe will be held Thursday, February 15, 2024, beginning at 11:00 AM, Vigil Service and Rosary to begin at 11:30 AM. Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX 77401. Graveside Service to follow at 2:00 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038.
