Guadalupe Valdez

Our beautiful and beloved Mother passed away on July 8, 2020 at the age of 95. She was born on December 12, 1924, in San Antonio, Texas. Her parents were Corina Herrera Valdez and Santiago Valdez. Lupe is survived by her six daughters:

Paula Henderson, husband Ben of Hollywood Park, Tx; grandson Carli Strength, wife Stacey of Colleyville, Tx; great grandchildren Sydney, Regan, Tristan. Grandson John C. Strength, wife Tisa of Irvine, Ca; great granddaughters Farrah and Priya.

Grace Boyce, husband Donald of Georgetown, Tx; granddaughter Paulette, husband Paul Kallfelz of Austin, Tx; great grandchildren Logan and Nicole Moose.

Anna Riojas of San Antonio, Tx; grandson Victor Benavides of Keller, Tx; great grandchildren Lindsey and Mia. Grandson Gabriel Benavides, wife Andrea of Colleyville, Tx; great grandchildren Oliver and Ford.

Andrelia Riojas of San Antonio, Tx; grandson Christopher Ramirez, wife Carolyn of Atascadero, Ca; great grandson Nicholas Ramirez.

Lupita (Pete) Hernandez, husband Lee of San Antonio, Tx; grandchildren Megan, great granddaughter Preslee; grandson James.

Nina Burriola, husband Richard of San Antonio, Tx; granddaughter Amanda, husband Matt Kramer of Houston, Tx; great grandson Matthew. Grandson Richard, wife Paloma of Houston, Tx.

Lupe is also survived by her brother Jimmy Valdez, wife Bea; sisters Elida Lopez and Nora Castillo and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Corina and Santiago Valdez; sisters Anita and Estella; brothers Crecensio, Arturo, and Carlos.

Lupe grew up in Crystal City with eight brothers and sisters. She faced many challenges throughout her life and always persevered. At age twelve when her mother died she helped raise her younger siblings. Years later she moved to San Antonio where she raised her daughters while employed at Ft. Sam Houston Post AF/Army Exchange. She began in an entry level job and was soon recognized for her dependability, self motivation and management skills; and was promoted many times. In 1977, she contracted Guillain-Barre' syndrome, she was paralyzed and hospitalized followed with months in recovery and therapy; afterward she retired as a Supervisor from Ft Sam Houston AF/Army. Lupe spent the rest of her life in San Antonio with her family.

Lupe's many pleasures included cooking and spending time with her family; especially, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She truly enjoyed the annual holiday tamale making sessions; and looked forward to baking cookies, and decorating for all holidays; particularly Christmas. Her competitive spirit won her 1st Place ribbons for her neighborhood front yard holiday decorations contest. Lupe was a woman of many talents including cooking, baking, sewing, and needle work. She also enjoyed gardening, and making flower arrangements, beautiful ribbon bows, ceramics decorations (including a large nativity scene); and decorating cakes for special occasions. There wasn't anything she couldn't do.

Going to Lupe’s house meant you were going to eat LOTS! Enchiladas, molé, tamales, beans, arroz, tortillas, calabacita, arroz con pollo, carne guisada, garlic eggs, tacos, fish on Friday, her Lenten Meals, capirotada; and topped off with a white bag of pan de dulce or her poppy seed cake.

At Christmas she would spend hours making dozens of her popular pan de polvo; and held the mandatory Christmas Eve tamalada for everyone to help convert multiple pounds of masa into perfectly shaped delicious TAMALES. New Year's Eve always included her homemade bunuelos.

She collected cascarones all year and colored dozens and dozens of Easter eggs with her special sponge painting technique.

She enjoyed the mass from San Fernando Cathedral on Sundays.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to everyone for your prayers, love and thoughtfulness.