Maria Guadalupe Olivares Ibarra

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write to inform you that Maria Guadalupe Ibarra Olivares (Dona Lupe), died yesterday, September 1, 2021, at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.

Her Daughters Ana Rosa, and Lupe were by her side. Dona Lupe had been hospitalized following a bout with Non-Covid-19 related Pneumonia on August 20, 2021.

Born on January 12, 1932 Lupe was married to Salvador Ibarra+ and had three daughters; Maria E. Sanchez+, Lupe Ibarra -San Diego, CA and Ana Rosa Torres - Poway, CA. She was a savvy Business Owner/ Entrepreneur, Nanny, and Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother and Homemaker. Lupe was a lifelong trailblazer in the local Catholic community. Lupe volunteered and donated her time in the Imperial Valley and Mexicali for a span of more than 70 years. She visited Local DHS and ICE Detention Centers to bring Catholic Mass, Hand out Bibles, Pray, and Sing with Detainees and Prisoners. Alongside other women in the community, she helped organize the first Guadalupana Society in her local church, St. Anthony’s of Padua in Imperial, CA. Organizing and managing fund raising efforts for her community and local church, with funds that helped to build the new Church and the adjacent Multipurpose Hall, helping to enrich the local community as a whole.

That is how many of us will always envision her, volunteering, cooking, laughing and enjoying life in a way that only she could, with impeccable style and grace. Her life's work and legacy are inextricably intertwined with the success of the local church community.

While we knew Dona Lupe was close to the end, nothing can prepare you for the death of a loved one. We ask that you please join with me in offering sincerest condolences to Ana and Lupe, as well as to the members of the Ibarra-Olivares family and to all whose lives were touched by Lupe’s life, generosity and influence.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Sincerely,

Daniel C. Torres

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.merkleymitchell.com for the Olivares Ibarra family.