Guadalupe "Lupe" (Valdez) Soto, age 78, of Dallas, Texas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated, and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Guadalupe Soto who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and determined. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Lupe was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. She was a domestic Goddess; she cooked deliciously, kept an impeccable home, and could sew a dress in no time! Her generosity and willingness to give of her self and of her time made her invaluable in her family -- the consummate 'Big Sister'. Everyone acquainted with Lupe knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her family.
Lupe was born on September 4, 1941, at home in Calvert, Texas. Her parents were Nestor and Mary Valdez. Lupe was raised in West Dallas, Texas. As a young girl, Lupe was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and tried her best to see to it that they followed a good path. Lupe was raised as the eldest of six, followed by her younger brother Gavino 'Gabby' Valdez, Jesus 'Jesse' Valdez, sisters San Juanita "Janie" Gallegos, Gloria Garcia and baby brother Gabriel Valdez.
Lupe was very sociable and loved a good party or get-together with the family. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were her sisters, Later in life, she became friends with and remained close with her favorite cousins Lupia Moreno, Pauline Castillo, Linda Jo Serrato, and Sister-in-law, Martha Valdez.
Lupe reveled in the security of her family, and in 1957 Lupe exchanged wedding vows with Phillip Dominguez Ramirez at home in Dallas, Texas. Lupe was blessed with three children, Maria Irene Anguiano, Analisa Ramirez, Angel Rene Ramirez. They were also blessed with 7 children, Lupe's Grand-children, Melissa, Leticia, Carlos, Ann Marie, Monica, Jacob, and Amanda.
Family always came first and one of Lupe’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries; exemplified by her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends. All who knew her would agree that Lupe was a pillar of the family. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was an adored cook and family host. Many of us fondly remember Christmas and Thanksgiving Day packed in a house and above all- the good food she prepared so lovingly. Perhaps a lucky Good Friday meal, or an EXTRA lucky weeknight meal...just because. Maybe you even had her Tamales or Enchiladas? Gorditas? Capirotada? Perhaps, you were in the right place at the right time...next to the comal and the butter while she made the fluffiest homemade flour tortillas. She filled your belly and it filled her heart.
Her favorite pursuits were cooking, sewing, singing, dancing, and BINGO. Lupe was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others, and she often shared her joy of cooking and business savvy with her granddaughters Monica and Amanda. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were Dallas Cowboys Football and Texas Ranger's Baseball.
Faith was important to Lupe, She attended services on any day she could, and was a devout Catholic throughout her life and a member at St. Pius X. She held deep spiritual beliefs which she sought to share through her life with her children and grandchildren.
Lupe passed away on November 26, 2019, of Natural Causes at a full 78 years old, surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Mata Valdez; her father, Nestor Valdez; her maternal uncles and aunts: Ambrosio Sr. and Eleanor Mata, Cirildo and Janie Mata, Joe Sr. and Myrle Mata, and Pedro Mata; her Paternal uncles and aunts: Daniel and Victoria Valdez, Antonia and Joe Arriaga; Her husbands, Phillip Dominguez, and Juan J. Soto.
She is survived by her siblings Gabby, Janie, Gloria, Jesse, Gabriel. Children, Irene, Analisa, Angel; Grand-Children Melissa, Leticia, Carlos, Ann Marie, Monica, Jacob, and Amanda; Great Grand-Children Crystal, Patricia, Yolanda, Celeste, Ethan, Kara, Dylan, Breanne, Lexi, Aubrey, Judah, and Adeline. Lupe Will be cremated as she wished, with Rosary and Services by St. Pius X held at Gonzalez Funeral Home.
She is loved by many and will be missed by us all.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.GonzalezFuneralHome.com for the Mata-Valdez-Ramirez family.
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