Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo

Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo, 77, was born in the Philippines on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe 1937; and born into eternity surrounded by her loving family on Dec. 22, 2014; beloved wife of the late Roberto Sr.; loving mother of Joyce (Edwin) Marquez, Arlene (Robert) Melone, Roberto Jr. (Jennifer) Alcedo, Aisel (Wayne) Smiley, Cynchie (Ramon) Panganiban, Nenet (Patrick) Messina, Ben (Andrea) Alcedo, and Girlie (John) Ocampo; adoring grandmother of Jiro, Ian, Mia, Samantha, Justin, Marcus, Aisel, Sara, Kaelin, Enzo, Dominick, Nathan, Melanie, Ela, Michael, Emma, Jacklyn, and Kaya; dear daughter of the late Ramon & Gliceria Virrey; Retired Purchasing Department Compliance Officer for the City of Chicago; Active member of the Lipeños Club and Santo Niño Midwest.

Visitation Sat. & Sun., 3 to 9 PM at Drake & Son Funeral Home 5303 N. Western, Chicago; Lying-In-State Mon. from 9 AM until the time of Lupe’s 10 AM Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, 1170 N. River Rd, Des Plaines; Interment All Saints Cemetery; Info 773-561-6874 or to sign Lupe’s guestbook & view her MeM Video Tribute, go to www.DrakeandSonFuneralHome.com.

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Eulogy of Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo by Jiro

My name is Jiro. I’m the eldest grandkid of Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo or Mama as we all call her in my family.

I had her all to myself for about 6 years. But soon thereafter, 17 cousins followed. Despite our numbers, Mama’s love and devotion for each one of us never wavered nor diminished,

The last I spoke to Mama last thanksgiving, she recalled a story when I was 3 or 4, a spunky kid fresh off the boat from the Philippines. As we got into a car, she said I instructed her to “Bakalat Mama, Bakalat!” This of course means “Buckle up…”. It was so sweet that she held onto this memory which have her a hearty laugh.

Over the years, my little cousins grew, some bigger than me. Some still much smaller. Recently, I have marveled at how joyous my family is; aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends, at occasions pretty much whenever we’re together. Even now in the midst of our greatest loss, my family can smile, laugh, sing and dance between the tears. How is this possible?

It can’t be all genetic for this joy has spread far beyond those that are blood related. How can we always be happy?

This Christmas, I was reminded of something that has helped tie it all together. “True happiness comes from the supreme conviction that one is loved.”

Mama is the prime mover in this. Her love for her family is known by all, and is the original source of all our happiness. It’s so strong and so vibrant it ensures our family’s happiness for generations to come. So strong and so vibrant that it is more a physical law of nature that impacts all of us, no matter where we are or what we do. And like physics, it was always felt rather than seen or heard. Like gravity, it pulls and holds us together. Sometimes, it was a smile that starts with Mama’s eyes and spreads through a grin from ear to ear. Sometimes it’s the embrace, stronger than can be imagined. Sometimes it was the countless siopao that she made every time I returned home. No matter how it was manifested, it impacted everyone whose life Mama touched.

Again, true happiness comes from the supreme conviction that one is loved. Even though she left our world, her love for all of us ensures our happiness, even during the saddest of times such as now.

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Eulogy of Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo

Today you are gathered here to honor a truly amazing woman and mother. I wish I could be there personally to share the wonderful memories of this awesome human being.

As most of you know, at an early age Oping lost her Husband to a tragic car accident. She was in essence left behind to raise eight children…alone. I wondered during the time how she would cope with the situation. But low and behold she was able to persevere and wonderfully raised a crazy but respectable bunch!! Oping migrated to the United States to pursue her passionate desire to provide the utmost best for her young family. During those days I was fortunate enough to watch and observe her uniqueness. She displayed amazing courage, resilience, hard work and determination to provide a better life for her family and it was incredibly admirable. I remember well when she eventually bought her first house in Southside Chicago. Proudly, she told me, “Rhoby, I did it!!” It was in that moment she realized a dream to provide a comfortable place for her family. Oh, was I proud of her!! There are several fond memories I have, and the one that stands out the most are our bus and train rides to the area casinos. Win or lose our adventures were always enjoyable and extraordinary because Oping always added that different dimension. For sure there will be undeniable emptiness whenever we come and visit Chicago. We will miss her smiling face that always welcomed us. She was so upbeat and always made sure our visits were enjoyable and comfortable. I will also miss the food she prepares for us like the beef caldereta, salmon patties, macaroons and many others. We will miss you Oping and you’re always in our memories. In fitting return I’m humbled to be your brother-in-law. May you find peace and tranquility in the presence of our Creator. May you continue to bring a comfortable breeze to the family. Farewell, Oping.

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In Memory of Mrs. Guadalupe V. Alcedo “Lupe”

Saturday, December 28, 2014

Presentation on behalf of the Friends and Coworkers of the City of Chicago, Department of Procurement Services, Division of Certification and Compliance for the Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Owned Business Enterprises (WBE) and Disadvantaged Owned Business Enterprises (DBE) Program:

In the words of Wanda Anderson, “Oh, Lupe was just a Phenomenal Woman!” She will surely be missed! Lupe was always a well thought of hard worker within our Unit. We all loved her just like family. Wanda reflected on Lupe’s spiritual character and her pilgrimage to Rome Italy one year to see the Pope at the Vatican. Wanda stated, “Lupe was a good Spirit, she didn’t gossip of bring anyone down. She loved her Family and taught her children to stick by each other and always be together when it came to Family.”

In the words of Denise Hardney, “Lupe was a great co-worker, one you could always depend on down in the trenches, when the work got fast and furious, (which was often) we could depend on Lupe’s hard work and quiet spirit to help get the job done. Lupe was a good and generous friend and a woman always on the go, who never failed to bring back to all of us beautiful souvenirs and share great stories and highlights from her travels.

But more than all of that, our Lupe, with her beautiful, bright smile, was a proud matriarch who reveled in raising her beautiful, strong family, and whose beautiful smile got even brighter when she spoke of her grandchildren. For Lupe, they were the sun and the moon! And she sang the praises of her beautiful, beloved family quietly, not boastfully, through the many beautiful pictures and precious mementos that surrounded her as she worked.

We will miss our Lupe, a woman of faith.

Lupe’s life, to can be summed up in the lyrics of a song which read…Just let me live my life. Let it be pleasing Lord to thee. And, if I gain any Praise, Let it go to Calvary! With His blood, He has raised me. With His Power, He has Saved me! To God, Be the Glory, For All the things, For All the things, For All the Things He has done!

Wear the traditional Black clothing as Lupe’ did in the passing of her Mother, Pray continually for God’s consolation and guidance and know that He is always with you as she did! Live your lives – as you have been taught how by Lupe’s example. Persevere in whatever your heart and the direction from God leads you to do. No need to be any better than the rest, just be ‘your’ personal Best at whatever your endeavor. Whether that be a very best, devoted and loving Mother as Lupe chose to do; a very best Salesperson and Business Manager as Lupe chose to do; a very best Bookkeeper and Accountant as Lupe chose to do; a very best Procurer and Saleswoman of precious jewels, handbags, crafts and more as she chose to do; a very best City of Chicago employee whether the position was titled – ClerkIV, Data Entry Clerk, Certification officer or Compliance Officer as she chose to do; a very best mother of Leaders within the Chicago and Suburban Community of Pilipino Americans and more. Yes, remember Her example and remember that throught all of her trials in life, even unto now, Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo, trusted in her God and tried to do what would give Him the ultimate glory.

Yes, in the words of ‘Wanda Anderson’, Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo was a ‘Phenomenal Woman’!

Do what has been placed in your hearts from your prayers and provisions from God. Heed the example of a life well lived to the Glory of God. Always be Honest, Caring, Conscientious and Loving. Be respectful of others, their choices, their differences and their religions. Always strive to exhibit to those that you meet, just how rewarding, putting your best qualities and best efforts into making your goals successful in this Precious Life that God has given us to Share with each other can be. Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo has shown us just how rewarding our life can be, both in this earth and in our Heavenly Fathers’ eyes. The fruits of her Labors are many as exhibited in her relationships with her siblings, her children, other family members, co-workers and friends. Now even more so, for those of us who remain here on earth, or lives have been rewarded with the kind and loving Memories that we are left to cherish of the Life that we were Blessed to have shared with Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo. She is indeed at Peace now with Our Heavenly Father! To God Be the Glory, for All the things He has Done through the Life of our friend and co-worker, Mrs. Guadalupe Virrey Alcedo. 1937-2014

Humbly Submitted,

Vanessa M. Triplett Williams

Just to name a few of her former co-workers: Carnice Carey, Ollin Gholston, Tabitha Mack, Esther Clemons, Lisa Butts, Doris Burks, Sonia Bliarchez-Larkin, Robert Cunniff, William Dotson, Desiree Smith-Preston, Luz Reyes, Victor Birriel, Wanda Anderson, Paulette Moore, Lillie Cooper, Chana Chappell, John Stewart, Darren Davis, Deborah Anthony-Sanders, Richard Butler, Judith Mimms, Denise Hardney, Renee Milton, Vanessa Williams, Nancy Bronakoski, Lynette Terrell, Dawn Hudspeth, Sherone Mayes, Donna Clark-Cavitt, Yvonne (Riggins) Harris, Paulette Brooks, Leon Moore and always remembering our dearly departed friend and co-worker, Roberto Roque.