Lupe G. Juarez

Guadalupe "Lupe" Juarez was born January 11, 1927, in Riverside, California to Pascuala Corona and Pedro Gonzales. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family at 98 years old on January 11, 2025.
Lupe is survived by her husband, Apolonio Juarez, and daughters Margaret (Phillip), Esther, Terri (Fred), Sandi (Reuben), and daughter-in-law Nancy, her grandchildren Gina, Andrea, Jackie, Basil, Anissa, Christina, Felipe, Joshua, Adina, Yvette, Jacob, John Paul, Amia, Marcel, Josiah, Adrian, Olivia, Analia, 35 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren, whom she loved very much.
She leaves behind her siblings Linda (Elias), Mary Esther (Manuel), Rosalio, and Refugio (Espie).
She is preceded in death by her son Albert, son-in-law Edmond, grandson Albert, sister Phyllis, and her brothers Salvador, Cipriano, Leo, Joe, Peter, Edward, and Ernie.
Lupe had a special place in her heart for her beloved school Saint Boniface Indian School in Banning, California. This is where she received her educational and religious foundation and developed her love of music. She became passionate about music and learned to play the piano, the violin, and the guitar. She loved to sing, and if she wasn't singing, she was humming.
In 1940, her mother married Miguel Chavez (which Lupe fondly referred to as "Pa"), and at the age of 13 Lupe journeyed to Northern California with her newly blended family. This family consisted of 11 children in all (two of his, five of hers and 4 of theirs). Lupe then attended her last year of school where she graduated eighth grade at San Juan Union School.
Lupe began working alongside her family as a farm worker. This was her first of many jobs which included the Nyland Potato Warehouse, Hollister Cannery, Ferry Morse Seed Company, Neil's Market, Instructional Aide at San Juan School, and cooking for the Migrant program. She retired after 15 years as a State of California Park Aide in Historic San Juan Bautista. She enjoyed her role of educating 4th graders on San Juan Bautista's history and making tortillas for the children. At this time she was offered the opportunity to return to school at night and received her high school diploma, which was a very proud accomplishment for her.
She loved entertaining others with her love for music and was in the Mission Choir as a young girl in the choir loft and continued up until a few years ago. She often sang in family weddings and funeral masses. Lupe enjoyed singing alongside her brothers, sisters, and daughters, especially when her brothers were playing guitar. Many extended family memories were created from those moments.
She was one of the first Eucharistic ministers and lectors to be installed at the mission and spent a few years caring for the altar linens. She was a member of the Guadalupana Society and assisted in the religious education program. She was very invested in her Catholic faith and the San Juan Bautista Mission.
Lupe found great joy in acting with the Teatro Campesino in their Christmas presentation of the Miracle Play - La Virgen de Tepeyac. She had a major role in the play as "Hilario", which was presented at the Old San Juan Mission.
Lupe was recently presented with the Senior Woman of the Year Award for her community service.
Lupe lived a long and blessed life with her husband Apolonio Juarez. Together, they raised four daughters and a son. They created many family memories together and built strong traditions that they were able to pass on to their grandchildren, one of which was their annual tamale-making party.
She was constantly surrounded by family and enjoyed telling stories. Everyone was welcomed in her home, and she was always so hospitable. The welcoming smell of coffee or fresh homemade tortillas is a memory shared by many. She will always be remembered by the warmth she left you feeling in your heart because she "loved you more".