1954 -2016
"Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart."(Psalm 24: 3-4). There never was a more pure heart than that with which God blessed Guadalupe “Lupe” Sandoval, and she, in turn, blessed so many. In the last days of her life, she was surrounded by so many people whose lives she touched - nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends, extended family & the people who loved her most - her husband, children & grandchildren. This display of love for her in her final days is a testament to the legacy she leaves - one of charity, compassion, selflessness, & most of all, love. These are the things she taught us by example, and the things we hope to be for others, in her honor.
Lupe will be remembered for so many wonderful things. She was a beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, Godmother, and Friend. In those last days, so many stories were shared about Lupe’s kindness. One cousin recounted how, when they were both little girls, she was admiring the white dress gloves Lupe wore to a family gathering. Always selfless, Lupe took one glove off and gave it to her cousin. This is the sort of memory most have of Lupe. Giving was second nature to her, as easy as the wind blowing.
Lupe was a graduate of West Oso High School, where she was a cheerleader. It was while she was in high school that she met a boy and asked him to her senior prom. That boy would later ask her for her hand in marriage. She married him on June 8, 1974, when she was 20 years old. Her husband Juan adored her and did anything he could to ensure her happiness. The example they both set for marriage is one that we all aspire to replicate. They spent 42 beautiful years together.
Lupe and Juan had three children, and she was so proud of all of them, never missing an opportunity to talk about them. She adored her two boys and her princess. She doted on her children always and shared a special bond with each of them, a bond admired by all. When they were growing up, she spent many hours at football, baseball, and cheerleading practice and games, as well as shuttling her children and their friends to various activities. She was always so busy with her kids, yet she made it look easy and never, ever complained. When they were grown, she mothered them as much as she could, visiting them at their own homes and doing as much as she could to help them. Being their mother was a privilege to her, and it showed in everything she did for them. She would do anything for them. Lupe embodied what it means to be a mother.
Everyone who knew Lupe also knew how desperately she wanted grandchildren. When her daughter finally gave Lupe their first grandchild, she was elated. As “Nana”, she showered her grandson with so much love and never missed an opportunity to babysit, visit him, or take his picture. When her other two grandchildren came, her purpose in life was fulfilled. Her whole world was about her grandchildren, and everything she did was done with them in mind. Of course, this was nothing new to her - family was everything.
Lupe also had a talent for bringing people together, hosting too many parties and holidays to count. While she hosted, she was sure to delegate to others when a party needed to be arranged. Because of her own generosity, everyone wanted to help out, just to make her happy. We didn’t know it at the time, but her delegation of tasks was her way of teaching us that family should work together for the greater good. She was integral to making us the tight-knit family we are today. We know that she would want us to carry on our traditions to our own families, and we intend on honoring her in doing just that.
In life, as was fitting, Lupe was a teacher. She spent her entire teaching career at the elementary schools of her alma mater, West Oso ISD. The role was perfect for her because of her loving and giving nature. She had so much patience with her students and always had a soft spot in her heart for children. They were as her own and she treated them with as much love and patience as she did her own family. She was “Teacher! Teacher!” to so many kiddos who will surely remember her fondly.
Always selfless, Lupe provided care for both of her parents when they became ill, as well as her sister Ida, when she, too, grew ill. She never ceased to give of herself, and even though she fell sick the last week of Ida’s life, she never stopped trying to do more. If we could each endeavor to be even a small fraction of the person Lupe was, we surely could count ourselves as good people.
Lupe was born to Nicolas & Barbara Cardenas. She is preceded in death by both her mother and father, and most recently, her sister Ida who passed just two weeks prior to Lupe. Their family is now reunited in Heaven. We know that they watch over and pray for our families from above, just as they did in life.
She is survived by her husband, Juan Sandoval, sons Robert and Danny Sandoval and daughter, Lisa (Nathan) Stauffer; grandchildren Cole Thomas, Connor Matthew, & Camryn Sloane.
Visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Memorial Holly on Thursday, November 3rd from 5pm - 9pm with a rosary at 7pm. Mass will be held on Friday, November 4th at Our Lady of Pilar Church at 10am. Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park
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