Edelmira Lopez

Edelmira “Delma” Lopez, born February 22, 1922 in Taft, Texas, daughter of the late Abundio Aguilar and Susana Aguilar of Robstown, Texas passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017 at the age of 95. Edelmira “Delma” married Eleuterio Lopez and moved to Michigan in 1947. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eleuterio Lopez, sister Anita Botello and her brother Ernesto Aguilar. Surviving are her eight children; Eleuterio Lopez Jr. Billy (Yvonne) Lopez, Rosa (Robert) Killips, Jesse Lopez, Lorenzo L. Lopez, Glenn (Donna) Lopez, Robert (Sabine) Lopez and Perry Lopez. She leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Edelmira was a devoted wife and mother. She retired from the Lansing Public Schools. She was a pioneer in public service to her community for over 50 years. She was a founding member of Cristo Rey Church and of Cristo Rey Community Center of which she served as Board President for 15 years. She became the first Latina in the City of Lansing to serve on the Lansing Housing Commission for twenty five years and sixteen of them as chairperson. She has been recognized in newspapers, magazines, articles, television programs, government proclamations, and with awards. In 2003 she received the “YMCA” Diana Award. She was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011 and they noted her courage, tenacity and dedication to overcome racism and sexism while making her voice for the underprivileged and her work as a catalyst for the betterment of her community.

She believed in women’s rights and encouraged others to do the same, she always taught her children to be proud Americans, always believing and participating in our democracy by voting and to being proud of their Mexican heritage and speaking both English and Spanish.

Edelmira “Delma” Lopez was the first and only woman to be chairperson of the Mexican Patriotic Committee.

The Committee cultivated and educated the community on Mexican culture with an emphasis on music, dance, food, history and festivals

The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 17, 2017 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Rosary at 7:00 pm., at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 East Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912. Service, September 18, 2017 at 10:00 am at St Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48933.