Juanita Lupe Bueno

Before she was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an educator, or a civil servant, Lupe Reyna Bueno served as a bridge. As the eldest of seven children following the migrant trail from South Texas to Arkansas and California, she learned early that the world did not always speak her mother's language. Lupe—“Mimi” to those who loved her most—became the bridge between her mother and an English-speaking world. Even as a child, she was already caring for others. That instinct, to serve those she loved, defined her life.

Lupe Reyna Bueno, 80, of Weslaco, Texas, passed away on April 27, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

Mimi was born on January 14, 1946 in Weslaco, Texas, the firstborn of Juan and Ponciana Reyna. As the Reynas followed the migrant trail, Mimi took her place alongside her parents helping to raise her six younger siblings and carrying her share of the family's weight with steady love.

During Mimi’s senior year of high school she met her future husband, Oscar Bueno. Oscar enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) upon graduating high school, and they married shortly before he deployed to Vietnam in 1967. Thus began her service to the United States Armed Forces. As a military wife, Mimi travelled extensively—living in California, Germany, Boston, and Japan—while raising her family and building her career in education.

Over her twenty-four years as a paraprofessional educator, Mimi worked as a teacher’s aide in Weslaco, Texas and at multiple military installations. While stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California she worked in a Special Education classroom— an experience she considered among the most meaningful of her career. She concluded her work in education in Misawa Air Base, Japan before transitioning to the civil service financial sector.

Mimi was fortunate to spend her final years as a military wife in San Antonio, Texas. Mimi made San Antonio her home, and she was happy to do so because it meant she lived near her extended family for the first time since 1969. There, she continued her career as a civil servant until retiring in 2012. Before her retirement Mimi worked at Kelly Air Force Base and the Department of Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) before she finally retired from Lackland Air Force Base.

Mimi’s three daughters—Melissa, Madeline, and Marianne—reflect her deep commitment to education and to service. All three earned graduate degrees, and built careers helping others: Melissa as a social worker and a therapist, Madeline as an elementary school principal, and Marianne as a professor of history and of Mexican American Studies.

Her greatest joy, however, was being Mimi to her grandchildren, Miles Ren and Ava Marie. Mimi’s love for her grandchildren was the purest and most unconditional love. Mimi devoted her retirement years to them—attending countless dance and music recitals, cheering at swim meets and basketball games, offering guidance, and serving as the family storyteller and historian. Her presence in their lives was steady, generous, and fiercely protective.

Mimi made service her life’s work—supporting Oscar’s military career, dedicating herself to public education, nurturing her daughters’ achievements, and pouring her love into her grandchildren. She served her family, her community, and her country with strength and enduring grace.

Mimi was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Ponciana Reyna; her sisters, Yolanda Ramirez and Thelma Reyna; and her niece, Regina Valdez.

Mimi is lovingly remembered by her husband, Oscar Bueno; her daughters, Melissa, Madeline, and Marianne Bueno; her grandchildren, Miles Ren Rodriguez and Ava Marie Rodriguez; her siblings, Roberto Reyna, Juan Erasmo Reyna, Dalia Reyna, and Rosalinda Reyna (Valdez); and many other cherished family members and loved ones.

Visitation and services will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2026 beginning at 9 AM at Porter Loring West (1710 W. Loop 1604 N., San Antonio, TX 78251).

A funeral procession will depart Porter Loring West at approximately 12:15 PM for interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or St. Joseph’s Indian School.