n October 25, 1924, Guadalupe O. Garcia was born to Dolores Martinez Olivo and Roman Olivo in Bay City, Michigan. Her parents migrated for field work in Michigan from San Antonio. It was there that their third child, Lupita, sibling to Maria and Roman, Jr. was born. The family returned to San Antonio and resumed their lives.
Lupe’s family grew to five siblings. To assist the family in the midst of the Great Depression, her maternal aunt and uncle, Augustina and Crescencio Ortiz took Lupita into their home and raised her as their own. They saw to it that she receive a Catholic education, through kindergarten, elementary and high school in San Antonio. She attended Our Lady of the Lake College for one year on a partial scholarship. She then transferred to the Santa Rosa Nursing School, following a long-time desire, where she earned her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1947.
Lupe met her future husband, Gilberto Jose Garcia, on a blind date while on her last year of nurses training in 1947. As the saying goes, it was love at first sight. Both shared the values of faith, family and service.
Lupe and Gilbert were married in San Fernando Cathedral on May 2, 1948. They worked hard as a team through sixty-two years of marriage. They provided a loving home and education for their five children, instilling in them their deep faith in God and the importance of family, service and commitment in their lives.
Lupe was a wonderful and caring nurse, known for her gentle bedside manner. She began her career at Santa Rosa Hospital. After twenty years she became a public health nurse, working for the San Antonio Public Health Department, retiring after sixteen years of service. Lupe was eager to spend more time with her growing family, delighting in the birth of each of her fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Lupe and Gilbert were long-time parishioners of St. Brigid’s Catholic Church. Lupe continued to serve as a member of the St. Vincent De Paul Society, delivered food with the Meals-on-Wheels program, was a member of the Guadalupanas and an extra-ordinary minister. As Lupe and Gilbert’s health declined, they moved from San Antonio to live with their children at various locations.
Lupe died peacefully on June 10, 2018 surrounded by her devoted family in Dallas, TX.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings and her loving husband, Gilbert. She is survived by her children: Dr. Gilbert J. and Susana Garcia, Goldsboro, NC; Margaret A. and Don Cassidy, The Woodlands, TX; S. M. Christine Garcia, SSND and the School Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Louis MO; Rebecca L. Garcia Guijarro, Bald Head Island, NC; Theresa J. (Terri) and Nick Rossini, Dallas, TX.
14 grandchildren: Patricia Chavez and Michael Chavez; Denise Garcia Barnett and Chris Barnett; Sarah G. Cassidy Hipsher and Jeff Hipsher; Mariana Garcia Shipman and Cody Shipman; Karen T. Cassidy Bridges and Chase Bridges; Jose J. Guijarro, III; Marisa J. Guijarro; Elisa I. Garcia; Amy C. Cassidy; Eileen M. Cassidy Pretorius and David Pretorius; Christina M. Guijarro Morice and Fabian Morice; Margaret T. Guijarro; Andrew G. Cassidy and Lauren G. Cassidy.
5 great grandchildren: Maggie Chavez, Mikey Chavez, Mia Chavez, Norah Bridges and Olive S. Shipman
Numerous nieces and nephews and loving friends.
The family is grateful to the many caregivers who assisted her in the past few years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in your area or to Catholic Relief Services. Thank you.
