Guadalupe Virginia Vigil

Guadalupe Virginia Olivas (Lupe) was born in Lincoln, CA 88 years ago. she was one of nine children and the youngest daughter. Her father worked as a wood craftsman for Gladding McBean. Lupe grew up in Lincoln where she attended Mary Beerman Elementary School located where the Walmart currently stands. Then she graduated from Lincoln High School which was located where the tennis courts are now. Lupe was very athletic and earned a Varsity Letter in Tennis. Her letter was donated to the Lincoln Archive Museum.

Old Lincoln was a very tight community and everyone knew everyone else in town. Lupe married Joe Vigil Jr. and the had one child, Joe Vigil III. Lupe's grandfather left his ranch in Mexico and joined the family in Lincoln in the 1950s. When the town had its 100-year anniversary in 1954, her grandfather was the Grand Marshall of the parade for being the oldest man in town. He was 104!

After school, Lupe worked for the Bank of America for 20 years. At home she was always cooking for family and friends who celebrated milestones and birthdays at McBean Park. When she stopped working at the bank, she decided to open a restaurant in town named Lupita's which she had for 26 years from 1976 until 2002.

First it was located above the Old Lincoln Theater (Emmaus). There was a bowling alley downstairs and Lupita's was upstairs. Then they moved into the current Old Town Pizza building. The front was a bar, and they expanded the other side to make it a real restaurant. There were not many other restaurants in Lincoln other than Mr. Frosty and Pizza. Every Friday night, the townspeople gathered in Lupita's to eat and socialize.

They served mostly Mexican food, but had weekly specials of steak and lobster, as well as Chinese and American cuisine. As the population increased, they wound down to primarily Mexican food. In the 80s Joe worked in the kitchen and learned to cook and do catering. He learned to DJ from working family gatherings, and brought the music into Lupita's for New Years Parties. Lupe loved to dance and does to this day. Joe and his partner Willie Preston were also very active in town and the Chamber of Commerce putting on shows and providing entertainment in town. Lupe has always liked to paint and do ceramics. Her husband, like her father, was a skilled craftsman, making wood furniture and toys. She painted them all.

A rosary service for Guadalupe will occur Friday, June 2, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 280 Oak Tree Ln, Lincoln, CA 95648. A graveside service will be held Friday, June 2nd from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Lincoln Cemetery, 1445 1st Street, Lincoln, CA 95648.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lincolnfuneralchapel.com for the Vigil family.