Lupe R. Herrera

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Herrera, Sr.; her father Cristóstimo Rivas, her mother Carmen (Sierra) Rivas Maestas, daughter Terri (Herrera) Gilkey and son-in-law Chuck Gilkey, and her siblings Manuel Rivas, Joe Rivas, Carmen (Rivas) Cortez, Jessie (Rivas) Buslon, and Johnny Rivas. She is survived by her son Frank Herrera, Jr. of Delano; son Anthony Herrera and daughter-in-law Elaine Lintecum of Sacramento, CA; son James Herrera and son-in-law Saul Rudman of Salinas, CA; and daughter-in-law Vicky Herrera of Delano. She is also survived by grandson Frank Herrera III and his wife Lia Herrera of Delano; granddaughter Michelle Gilkey and her wife Lisa Oman of Petaluma, CA; grandson Michael Herrera of Delano; grandson Patrick Herrera and his wife Deedrea Herrera of Bakersfield, CA; granddaughter Chelsea Silbereis and her husband John Silbereis of New Haven, Connecticut; grandson Luis Herrera and his wife Stephanie Herrera of Bakersfield; grandson Steven Herrera of Las Vegas, Nevada; and granddaughter Cynthia Herrera of Delano; as well as seventeen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews, including Stacy Buslon of Santa Rosa, CA; cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Lupe lived all her life in Delano and attended high school at Delano High, where she drew acclaim for her lovely singing voice. She was married to her husband Frank for 53 years before he passed in 2003, and theirs was a love story and enduring marriage inspiring to all of their family. They were, together, leaders in the community of Delano. He served many years on local councils and boards and was Mayor of Delano from 1972-76, but he spoke often about how he never could have done any of it, nor been elected to begin with, without her support of him and care for their family and the four children they raised together. They stood proudly together at countless community events and represented Delano together at occasions across California. On one memorable occasion on an outreach visit to Delano's sister city in Mexico, that community surprised them with a 25th-wedding-anniversary vow renewal and party, and presented them with matching, handcrafted silver bands which they cherished ever after.

Lupe and Frank had a business together for many years, in the industries of table grape growing and labor contracting, for which Lupe did all the bookkeeping. She also worked over the course of her career in the offices of Sears and Delano Building Materials.

Lupe was a great fan of music, of champagne, and of sharing stories with her family, and she was happiest when all three converged. She was a riveting storyteller. Among her many stories, she recounted memories both lovely and humorous about her travels with Frank; they enjoyed many trips to Mexico, with Acapulco in the 1970's and 80's a favorite destination, as well as to Hawaii and the Caribbean.

She developed an interest in literature in her retirement. Two of her favorite authors were Flaubert and Allende, and she especially enjoyed works by female and Latin American writers. She took pride in coaxing consistent blooms from the orchids in her home, as well as from the azaleas and hibiscus plants she kept potted outside her front door.

Her family often commented that it was impossible to run a quick errand with Lupe in Delano; so well-known and beloved was she in the community that any excursion involved her greeting and being greeted by countless individuals, all with close and personal friendships and connections with her.

Most importantly, Lupe was a model for her family of unfailing grace, perseverance in the face of hardship and sorrow, and unconditional love. She was deeply religious and dedicated to her Catholic faith, but she was guided more than anything by Jesus' message to "Love one another as I have loved you." She supported each and every member of her family with that precept foremost in her mind, and her loving words and actions will stay with each of them always.

There will be a Rosary said for Lupe at 9:00 AM on December 22, 2016 at St. Mary's Church in Delano, immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, followed by a Committal Service at North Kern Cemetery. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Frank.

Arrangements entrusted to Delano Mortuary, Delano, CA.