Maria de Guadalupe Olvera Quintana. She passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday,
July 26, 2023, at 93 years old. May she find eternal peace in the arms of the Lord. She was
born June 14, 1930, in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico; the third of six siblings, one boy and
five girls. She received the sacrament of baptism and was brought up in the Roman Catholic
faith, passing on her religious beliefs to her children by raising them within the Catholic church.
Maria de Guadalupe is preceded in death by her parents Pablo Quintana and Juana Hermosillo,
and three of her siblings, Maria de Carmen, Maria de Jesus (Tia Chuy), and Pablo Quintana.
She is survived by two of her sisters; Maria de las Mercedes Quintana Gonzales and Maria de
la Luz Quintana and Ramon Quintana; her eight children, Gabriel Olvera, Lourdes Olvera, Juan
Manuel (Ana) Olvera, Alejandro (Blanca Estela) Olvera, Socorro Olvera, Salvador Olvera, Jose
Olvera, and Andres (Ginger) Olvera; along with 20 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; and
one great-great grandchild; along with close personal friends Norma Lerma, Rodolfo Rodriguez,
Jessica Garcia & fam.
When she was young, her family traveled north towards Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, where
she attended school then later had her first job working as a nanny for Dr. Miller and his wife in
Brownsville, where she met her future husband. She married Juan Olvera Gallegos on
November 13, 1955. Between September 1956 and July 1970, they were blessed with eight
children and resided in Mexico, then Brownsville, before ultimately establishing their home in
Houston, Texas, where she embraced the American ways and blended her culture and beliefs
along with traditional practices including religious holidays in both cultures. She attended weekly
service and always wore her veil. Her daughters remember wearing veils when they were young
and the boys will tell you about Sunday church attire that included bow ties. She was proud to
witness all of her children graduate from high school, some went on to complete technical
schools, and one received a college degree in business management.
Guadalupe encountered numerous challenges along her journey, which nurtured qualities of
strength, self-sufficiency, independence, creativity, and patience, to say the least. As a mother of
eight, she attended many field trips, award ceremonies, graduations, and endless PTO
meetings. Her children can attest that their mother was an emotional support when needed, she
listened attentively, and even made jokes with all who were near to her. One thing for sure, she
was always open-minded to new ideas, different cultures, and lifestyles. We were Mexican
American and she blended the two worlds.
She worked as a housekeeper in the 1970s, then later as a chef at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Church in Houston. She worked at the church for 20-plus years cooking for the Catholic priests
that worked or visited the church, and retired in 1990. She became a naturalized citizen in 1981
and resided east of downtown Houston. Later, in 1994, she took residence in north Houston,
just three blocks from one of her daughters where she lived until 2020. At the age of 89, she
was still living independently; however, after undergoing two surgeries resulting in the loss of
both her legs, she eventually moved in with her daughter for care and support.
The family was raised to be supportive of each other and Guadalupe was surrounded by love.
During her final years, she had a wonderful home provider that cared for her and along her
journey, she crossed paths with countless remarkable souls, each leaving an indelible mark on
her life, filling her days with meaning and love.
Church services: Pallbearers: Aurelio Cortez Jr., Devin Olvera, Ethan Olvera, Gabriel Olvera,
Mario Samuel Martinez, Nathaniel Zamora, Noah Olvera, Xavier Angel Torres.
Readers New testament/Old testament: Jenny Lynn Olvera, Yolanda Olvera. Gifts: Corina Ann
Torres & Tyler Batenhorst
Children w/ purple flowers: Laynie Batenhorst, Cirilo Longoria, Gael Najera, Michael “Mike”
Campos, Michael Pe ñ a, Nicholas Machuca.
Special message: Guadalupe Olvera held a heartfelt desire to witness the grace of White
Doves, and her cherished color was lavender. To honor her memory and demonstrate your
support, the family kindly requests that you wear lavender attire on the day of the church service
and burial. The Olvera girls and granddaughters will pay homage by wearing veils for their
beloved mother/grandmother. The family is also raising money to be given to the church as a
donation in her name. Please reach out to Socorro or Lourdes if you would like to make a
private donation.
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