Guadalupe "Lupita" Maldonado Martinez

Guadalupe Maldonado Martinez passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family on the evening of June 16, 2022.

A lifelong resident of San Benito, she was born in Los Fresnos, Texas on October 25, 1937.  Lupita, as she was known to her family and friends, was a true sports fan consistently following her Dallas Cowboys and San Benito Greyhounds. She started her life working for a local photo shop before moving forward to working on elementary school campuses as a librarian and substitute teacher.  She enjoyed vacations to cities throughout the country with her favorite destinations being Las Vegas, St. Louis, and the Caribbean.  Lupita stayed very active by dancing at local halls on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings with their very great friends, Julio and Mary Villarreal.

A devoted wife of 59 years to Juan S. Martinez, she is the proud mother of three adult children, Dahlia Eva Diaz (Johnny), Juan Martinez Jr. (April), and Orlando Martinez (Jacqueline). She enjoyed socializing with her friends, the Golden Girls, on a regular Wednesday afternoon lunch where she told stories and bragged about her favorite topic, all her grandchildren, Ricky, Joshua, Gina, Brieana, Joshua, Matteo, and Diego and her great grandchildren, Moses and Nova.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Narciso “Chicho” and Refugia “Cuca” Maldonado; brothers, Francisco Maldonado and Mario Maldonado; and sister, Alma Maldonado Ramon. She is survived by her younger sister, Linda Maldonado Torres.

Lupita’s family will receive friends and relatives on Monday, June 20, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, Chapel A. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock on Monday evening. Visitation will continue at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. The funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. to St. Theresa Catholic Church for the celebration of Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 p.m.  Rite of Committal and interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Special thanks to the staff of Valley Baptist Medical Center MICU, Sun Valley Rehabilitation Center, and Harlingen Medical Center for all the love and care you gave to Mom.