Guadalupe Jimenez

Guadalupe Jimenez, the co-founder of Carnicerias Jimenez in Chicago, IL passed away following unexpected heart complications and leukemia.

Lupe, a deeply faithful, astute and hard-working businesswoman, built from scratch with her husband, Jose Jimenez, one of Chicago’s first successful Mexican grocery businesses. Carnicerias Jimenez is now found in numerous cities throughout the Chicago-land area.

It was often said that Jose and Lupe were cut from the same cloth, sharing the same devoutness and faith in God and responsibility to family and friends. She was a formidable businesswoman and trailblazer whose no-nonsense approach was softened by her charming manner, great love for people, and huge heart.

She was born to Socorro and Efrain Bedolla on March 16, 1957 in Chicago, IL. Always the hardworking woman that she was, she juggled school, work, and her relationship with her boyfriend. In 1975, Lupe graduated high school and married the love of her life, Jose Jimenez. That same year, at 18 and 23 years old, they opened up their first storefront, Fruteria Jimenez. As a team they went on to open their second location, Carnicerias Jimenez on August 8, 1976. Three days later Lupe welcomed her first child, daughter Luz Maribel. By the following year they had opened their third storefront at 4204 W. North Ave where it still stands today.

Lupe and her husband would go on to open numerous other locations and win many national and local awards throughout the years for their corporate citizenship and citizen involvement.

From modest beginnings, Lupe and her husband built a grocery enterprise that started off with just the two of them but went on to have more than 400 employees, including many others who went on to become pioneers of the Mexican community.

Eleven years after welcoming their first child, Lupe and her husband welcomed their son, Jose III in 1987 and their youngest daughter, Lupita in 1989.

As a devout Roman Catholic she lived her life in service of others and was a significant pillar to the Archdiocese of Chicago. She mentored many local entrepreneurs and silently sponsored organizations throughout the city, country and abroad in the name of our Lord, God.

Never having been able to retire, Lupe maintained an active role in the business until her death, which will now be latterly run by her husband and three children.

Lupe is survived by her husband, Jose Jimenez; her children, Luz Maribel, Jose III, Lupita; grandchildren, Victorito, Jose Alejandro, Adriana Sophia, Camila Itzel; brothers Patricio, Mario, Pepe, Octavio, Andres; mother Socorro Bedolla.

She was predeceased by her sister, Sandra, her brothers Arturo, Efrain (Junior), Jorgito; and father Efrain Bedolla.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 11, 2022 from 3pm – 8pm., at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home 6901 W. Belmont Ave, Chicago IL.

A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Vincent Ferrer, 1530 Jackson Ave, River Forest IL.

Committal Service will be immediately after mass, All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines IL

If you are so inclined, Memorial Donations in Lupe’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital.