Amalia Lopez

Amalia Lopez was born to Melquiades and Julia Pinedo on July 13, 1915 in Zacatecas, Mexico. In the early part of 1916, the family, which included 10 children, fled the Mexican Revolution to Arizona via Sonora, Mexico. By 1930 the Pinedo family had settled in Ventura, CA where Amalia met her beloved Leopoldo. They were married in 1934 and had the first 7 of 8 children there: Ricardo, Rodolfo, Leopoldo Jr., Nicolas, Antonio, Elena and Roberto. In 1955 the Lopez family relocated to San Ysidro, CA where Cecilia was born. In 1957 Leopoldo purchased his first grocery store which would lead to the eventual founding of La Bodega Hermanos Lopez in 1968, while Amalia laid the strong foundation for her family that now includes 25 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Ever the beloved matriarch, Amalia was known to her family as an exemplary provider and teacher. Her cooking reflected the diverse places she had lived in and her recipes continue to be handed down generation to generation. A lifelong homemaker, Amalia was always ready to receive and dote on the countless visitors at her home which lovingly came to be known as Casa Amalia.

On January 7, 2014 Amalia was called home to be reunited with her parents and siblings, husband Leopoldo, son Antonio, and grandchildren Ricardo and Maria Eugenia, all who preceded her in death.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the San Ysidro Community Foundation “In Remembrance of Amalia Lopez” care of San Diego Foundation, 2508 Historic Decatur Road STE 200, San Diego, CA 92106.