GUADALUPE JIMENEZ

1949 - 2016

Our remarkable and devoted mother, Guadalupe "Lupe" Jimenez, passed away on August 7, 2016. Lupe fought a heroic battle with ovarian cancer. The visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Norris-Segert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 132 Fremont St. (one block north of Washington St. and Main), West Chicago. The funeral mass will be performed by Father William Conway on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 164 N. Oakwood Street, West Chicago. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in West Chicago. Lupe was born on December 4, 1949 in Weslaco, Texas and grew up in West Chicago. She is the youngest of 11 siblings [Juan Manuel (deceased), Ismael (deceased), Maria Cruz (deceased), Jesus Jr. (deceased), Manuel, Efrain, Hortencia, Esperanza, Graciela (deceased), and Pedro]. Lupe graduated from St. Francis High School in Wheaton and continued on to receive her bachelor degree from the University of St. Francis in Joliet. She taught elementary school for over three decades contributing the educational development and academic success of hundreds of public school students, spending the bulk of her career at Lincoln Elementary and Wegner Elementary Schools in West Chicago. On November 30, 1974, she married the love of her life, our father, Francisco Jimenez at St. Mary's Church. He was the "Tony" to her "Maria" a la "West Side Story." They recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary with a fun-filled trip to Las Vegas. Together, they raised four children-Josue, Angelica, Damian and Marcos. Lupe was the heart of the family. She juggled a demanding career while raising four just-as-demanding children. In both roles, she instilled valuable lessons and teachable moments that her students and children will always carry with them. More importantly, she poured all of her energy into everything she did and managed to make life's struggles more bearable, the dark days much brighter, and the good times moments to always remember and treasure. She passed down the love of music and the arts to all us kids. As adults, we relished seeing the bands and musicals together that she introduced us to as children. You sometimes couldn't tell who was more excited to be there! Holidays and birthdays at our home were nothing short of magical. Our mom would plan weeks in advance (months for Christmas), decorate the house from top to bottom (including us kids-you should see of our holiday gear), fill our home of the most amazing scents of roasted turkey, buttery rolls, fresh flour tortillas, homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and so much more. She seemed to have an endless supply of generosity, creativity and support. Even though she is no longer with us, there are so many cherished memories imprinted on all of us that will live on forever. Our love for her will stand the test of time. In the words of one of her favorite songwriters, Carole King, we say to her now and always, "Where you lead, I will follow." For information, 630-231-0060 or www.norrissegertfh.com.