Guadalupe S Garcia

Guadalupe was preceded in death by her Salvador of 74 years, Salvador Garcia and granddaughter, Stephanie. Guadalupe is survived by her children; Geni, Susana (Ernesto), Salvador Jr. and Gilbert, and numerous grandchildren.

Guadalupe was born in Mexico on December 12, 1927 to Julia Pedraza de Santibanez and Miguel Santibanez. She studied to be a registered nurse and graduated. She began her career working for the Red Cross in Mexico City.

In the late 1950’s, Guadalupe left Mexico with Salvador and two young daughters for the United States to start a new life in Chicago, Illinois. The distance from her immediate family would cause her to lose the intimate relationship she had enjoyed.

Having difficulty gaining employment in nursing because she was not fluent in English, she opted to stay home with her two daughters. Eventually, she began working for a company in Skokie, Illinois. She rode a bus in the morning for a 45-minute trip to work in all types of weather, especially the brutal Chicago winters.

Guadalupe was very doting with her children, which grew by two more with the arrival of two sons. She showed her daughters how to be responsible and independent, from taking the safest and direct walking routes to Chicago’s inner-city schools to helping with their younger brothers.

Guadalupe was a powerful woman, any situation that came her way was always workable; she would not display any concern so as to worry her children with more formidable matters. Her priority was always her children and Salvador. With the advent of color televisions, she bought one for her children. She was so proud of that gesture.

Just as Guadalupe was getting accustomed to life in Chicago, Salvador decided to move to California in the late 1960’s to improve his family’s upbringing. Guadalupe stayed behind with three of her children while things were set up in California.

Eventually, the rest of the family relocated to California. Again, Guadalupe had to adjust a different lifestyle. Chicago in the 1960’s was a good city with great bus transportation, walking distance to parks, hospitals, doctors’ offices, stores, churches and schools.

Guadalupe was challenged by many obstacles in California. Having a better grasp of English, she decided to try to go back into the nursing field. She quickly learned that transportation was awful in California and very few places were within walking distance.

When she put in an application for nursing at a San Jose hospital, she was told her degree in nursing from Mexico City would not be accepted. She would have to go back to school to get a state nursing certificate.

Guadalupe did not let herself get defeated, instead, she gained employment at a company named Plastronics. Guadalupe found herself being more independent and most comfortable in her new surroundings.

Guadalupe and Salvador purchased their first house and she bought her first vehicle by herself, another proud moment for her. The vehicle did not have power steering and in time she developed well defined biceps. We are not sure who even showed her how to drive.

With all her children in school, she found time to work and complete her nursing certification so she could return to the medical field. With four children, she wanted to work day shift and have weekends off. Not possible, she did not have the job seniority, therefore, she went to work for the convalescent homes which offered a much better work schedule for home life and family care.

Guadalupe also cared greatly for her grandchildren. If they needed a ride, she would jump in her car and drive them where needed. Guadalupe would find different ways to keep her grandchildren entertained; taking them to the yearly Santa Clara County Fair and to the movies.

Guadalupe was very dedicated during her 74-year marriage to Salvador. A small but loving gesture of hers was to ensure that dinner was ready by 5:00pm when he came home from work. They took many trips to Mexico, Reno and Las Vegas.

Guadalupe will always be in our hearts and her family will remember her as a wonderful, caring person who was always willing to lend a hand when asked.

Funeral services will be private