Guadalupe Yañes Gonzales

Lupe was born in Austin, Texas in 1939 where she attended Palm Elementary and Travis High School. She met George, the love of her life and future husband, while working as an employee of the Piccadilly Cafeteria in 1954; they married two years later in 1956. Her family began to grow in 1958 with the birth of her first son, George Jr, followed by Joseph, David, Fred, Grace, Ed and Mario and she settled down with her growing family to Pflugerville, a small town located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas with a population of 159 and the Gonzales family was 9 of the 159.

Lupe had a strong work ethic and this applied to all aspects of her life. Lupe received multiple quality and achievement awards during her tenure as an IBM employee while at the same time juggling household responsibilities and lovingly tending to the needs of her family. She loved being a mother and took every opportunity to impart wisdom and teach her children the skills needed to take care of themselves, provide for their families and be successful in life. In addition to being a hard-worker, Lupe was also known and loved for her quick wit and sense of humor and her home was often filled with family, camaraderie, the sound of laughter and the smell of home-made tortillas on the comal.

Family was the guiding force in her life and whom she loved most; she enjoyed spending time with her children's families, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home has been the heart and hub of family and friends; where no one was a stranger and was received with open arms. Lupe gave joyfully and tirelessly of herself to her family. Due to her love of children, caring and generous nature, Lupe and George served as Foster Parents to two other children at different times and were recognized as "Outstanding Foster Parents of the Year". One of Lupe's favorite pastimes was treasure-hunting at the local thrift shops and she especially loved doing this with her grandchildren. She also, loved to travel and enjoyed spending time out in nature, whether that meant shell-hunting at the beach, walking along a mountain trail or camping with family.

Surrounded by family, Lupe faced the end of life in the same way she lived out her life, with courage and perseverance, generously considering others before her own needs while keeping a positive outlook and good sense of humor in spite of pain. At the journey's end, Lupe Gonzales taught us by example how to live life to the fullest and face our mortality with grace.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, George Gonzales, Sr.; their children: George Gonzales, Jr. and wife Katie, Joseph Gonzales, David Gonzales and wife Eve, Fred Gonzales and wife Beth, Grace Gonzales, Ed Gonzales and wife Betty, Mario Gonzales and wife Coby; 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

The family will receive family and friends from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will also be held at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2015. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery.

Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com to share memories and tributes with Lupe's family.