Guadalupe Betancourt

Guadalupe (Lupe) Betancourt, loving Mommy Mom, Granny, Grandma, sister and friend; went home to be with the Lord on August 13, 2020. Guadalupe was born in La Feria, Texas where she attended school until the eighth grade. Her mom passed away at that time and she dropped out of school to help care for her siblings. She also worked as a migrant worker and a waitress at a soda shop where she learned how to make incredible milk shakes, floats and banana splits. In May of 1960 she married Sgt. Gerardo Betancourt and her adventure began. Guadalupe and Gerardo lived in Okinawa, Japan, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Forts Clayton and Amador, Panama, Victoria, Texas, and finally settling in Security, Colorado after Gerardo was transferred to Fort Carson.

Guadalupe and Gerardo raised four children – Felix, Jerry, Sylvia and Bonnie. While her children were in elementary school, Guadalupe generously gave of her time and talent by serving as a room mother baking treats and decorating party favors to make each event special. Guadalupe’s exceptional sewing skills allowed her to create last-minute costumes for plays and other school programs. On one occasion Guadalupe somehow found white fabric in the middle of winter so she could make a snowflake dress for a Christmas pageant. After her children were grown, she used her sewing skills to quilt, a hobby she truly enjoyed. She would make beautiful quilts for family and friends.

Guadalupe knew how to touch a person’s heart; she would use her cooking and baking skills to make every family gathering special. For each holiday, she would make special treats like cookies, pies, pecan tarts and fruit salad. She would say that she could never make them the day before because they would always "disappear." Despite this, she continued to make treats the day before and then wake up early the next morning and make more. Guadalupe would always make enough so she could share them with neighbors and friends.

When her husband died on May 20, 1982, Guadalupe had no work skills and only an eighth grade education. With four teenagers at home, Guadalupe attended classes to obtain her GED. She then enrolled at Pikes Peak Community College and received an Associate of General Studies Degree and an Associate of Applied Science Degree: Social Services Technician. While at Pikes Peak Community College, Guadalupe also served in the Women’s Reentry Program, a program designed to help encourage and mentor women entering college. Her education at Pikes Peak Community College provided a means to support her family and she wanted to share with other women that education was the key to success. Once she finished her education at Pikes Peak, she went on to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. As a CNA, Guadalupe treated each of her patients with care and dignity. Guadalupe planned to attend Colorado State University in Pueblo; unfortunately, she suffered a stroke in 1988 that ended her educational pursuits.

Guadalupe loved flowers, gardening, her mountains, and her family – especially her 10 grandchildren (Kylene Vidal, Sean Whiteman, Mark Betancourt, Thomas Betancourt, Kayla Hermann, Anthony Betancourt, Gianna Hermann, Jacob Whiteman, Luke Hermann, and Timothy Betancourt) and five great grandchildren (Dominic Vandenberg, Chloe Vidal, Madyson Whiteman, Kinsey Vidal, and Charlie Vidal). She carried pictures of her family wherever she went and was never shy about sharing her treasured pictures with others. Guadalupe’s family brought her joy.

Guadalupe is survived by her beloved children and their families: Felix Betancourt (Lois Foushee); Gerardo Betancourt (Cindy); Sylvia Whiteman (Brian); and Bonnie Hermann (Mark). She is also survived by six siblings: Mary Gutierrez, Manual Zamora, Esther Contreras (Greg), Pete Zamora (Tuly), Janie Ramirez (Hilario), and Gloria Gonzales (Lupe). She was proceeded in death by her husband Gerardo Betancourt, her parents, Manuel and Angela Zamora, and four siblings: Ruben Zamora, Victor Zamora, Jose Zamora and Felicitas Hernandez.

A Rosary Service will be held on September 3, 2020 at 10:30 am at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 5354 S. US Highway 85/87, Colorado Springs, Colorado with mass to follow at 11:00 a.m., Guadalupe will be laid to rest at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Betancourt family.