Guadalupe “Lupita” Saenz Hinojosa Ochoa, 91, who is lovingly known to her grandchildren as “Mimi” was called into Heaven on December 3, 2019. Lupita was born on August 3, 1928 in Kingsville, Texas to Adelfino and Manuela (Saenz) Hinojosa. Lupita was a proud descendent of the Royal Families across Europe.
Lupita was raised at El Guajillo, a land grant, belonging to the Hinojosa Family Ancestors outside of Benavides, TX. She and her family moved to Benavides, TX around 1938 and later moved to Kingsville, TX in 1943, where she met her future husband, Flavio Ochoa. While living there she was employed by the Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, Naval Air Station. In 1945, Lupita and her family moved to Harlingen, TX, where she was employed by S.H. Kress & Company. On January 4, 1948, Lupita married Flavio Rubio Ochoa in Mission, TX. In 1950, Lupita and her family moved back to Kingsville, TX. In August of 1951, she and her family moved to Corpus Christi, TX. In the late 1960’s through the 70’s, after raising her children, Lupita was employed by the Dugger’s Flower Shop. Later, she was employed by CCISD at David Crockett Elementary School until she retired. In 2015, Lupita entered The Plaza at Mirador in Corpus Christi, making that her home until her death.
Lupita enjoyed her volunteer work while living in Corpus Christi. In the early years, when Holy Family Church was being established, Lupita helped out at the Bingo games that were held to raise building funds. She belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Catholic War Veterans. As a member of the Holy Family Church Charismatic Movement, Lupita acted as a Eucharistic minister during mass at Holy Family Church, at local hospitals and for local elderly shut-ins. She also helped the priest to dress in preparation for mass at Holy Family Church. Lupita volunteered at the concession stand at International Little League during her husband’s team’s games. She also assisted her husband when he served as PTA President, at Crockett Elementary and assisted as an aide to any teacher when necessary. She enjoyed serving meals to the seniors at the Greenwood Senior Center, especially during the holidays.
Lupita loved her many hobbies, like baking, decorating cakes, crocheting, making floral arrangements and being a seamstress. She loved tending to her many inside and outside plants. After retiring, Lupita did competitive swimming at the Greenwood Swimming Pool, where she and her husband were members of the Senior Swim Team after training at the Del Mar College and Greenwood swimming pools.
Lupita will be missed by her family and friends as she had a very compassionate heart and opened up her home to those who needed a place to live. Sometime during 1952-1955, she gave her friend, Rev. Tomas Fernandez a place to live during the period that Holy Family Church Rectory was being built. She brought her mother, Manuela Saenz Hinojosa Salinas to live with her, after her mother’s heart attack and until her mother’s death. She brought her brother, Abelardo Salinas also from Benavides, TX, to live with her family after he graduated from high school until he married. In 1967, Lupita took in a nephew, Edwardo Ochoa, from Kingsville, TX while he attended Del Mar College and then again in later years. She provided temporary housing for David Canchola, a friend from Lancaster, TX, when he returned to Corpus Christi to work for Reynolds Metals Company.
Lupita was proceeded in death by her parents, her step-father, Dario Salinas, her brothers, Arnoldo Hinojosa and Abelardo Salinas, her sisters, Maria Apolonia Hinojosa and Santos Moreno, by her husband, Flavio Ochoa, her 3 sons, Flavio Jr., Arnold, Homero Ochoa and her son-in-law Art Mack.
Lupita leaves behind to cherish her memories, her children Olivia (Dennis) McGonagill, Virginia (David Jr.) Salazar, Cynthia Mack, Robert Ochoa (Herlinda Pena) and sister-in-all, Sylvia Salinas, all of Corpus Christi, TX.
“Mimi” also leaves behind four grandchildren, Cari (John) Donovan IV of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, David (Ann) Salazar III of San Antonio, TX, Shannon (Michael) Musial, Cory Cates, Alan Bradley Mack, all of Corpus Christi, TX and three great-grandchildren, John Donovan V of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, Emalee and Madison Musial of Corpus Christi, TX and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers will be Robert Ochoa, David Salazar III, Cory Cates, David Salinas, Abelardo Salinas Jr., John Donovan IV, and Michael Musial.
