Lupe Cantu

Guadalupe “Lupe” Lopez Cantu received her wings on April 5th on Easter Sunday. She was 95 years old born on January 4, 1931, in Karnes City, Texas to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Lopez of Seminole, Texas (now deceased). She was the eldest of ten children. In 1947, Martin (deceased) and Lupe were married in Karnes City at San Cornelius Church. In 1955, moved to Lamesa, Texas where she worked in the school cafeteria. In 1964, work was available in Hobbs and Lupe and her family moved, where Lupe was housekeeper/nanny for the Chittim family for 17 years, then took on a position of housekeeper/cook for the priest rectory. She had a dream of owning her own sewing business which became true for more than 40+ years, named “M & L Alterations". While working from home, she also babysat many children that became part of her family. She did alterations for the cleaners Comet, Parkway, Masters, and the Model, and then the public.

Around 1964, Mrs. Cantu had a deep religious experience with a course called the “Curcillo” in Lubbock, Texas. As a result of this experience, she joined the “Legion of Mary” a small but very active apostolic Catholic organization and served as an officer for many years. Mrs. Cantu was a very faithful and active member of St. Helena’s Catholic Church. She would attend mass every day, served as a Eucharistic minister, leader of the Spanish charismatic prayer group, made rosaries and recited the rosary for the funeral homes, then of course organized the Mexican food for the church annual family fair, “making tamales” for over 50+ years which many Hobbsans look forward to in the fall.

In 1982, Hobbs Hispanic Council honored Lupe Cantu as a recognized leader in the Hispanic community of Hobbs. In addition, she has gone above and beyond, in practicing her faith by performing many charitable deeds. God was the center of her life and marriage.

Lupe is survived by her (3) children: Selia “Sally” Colvin (Jessie), Daniel "Danny" Cantu (Christina) Christy Lopez (Richard); (17) grandkids; (45) great grandkids; and (20) great great grandkids, special additions Bailey and Brandi Layton (3) brothers – Joe, John, Isidro (Sid) and (3) sisters – Lula, Lonnie, and Linda. She is proceeding in death by her husband Martin Cantu; Daughter Teresita (Terry) Trevino and Son Armando Cantu; parents Ramon and Martina (Villafranca) Lopez; and brothers Octavio (O.V.), Ramon, and Julio.

I would like to say a special thank you to Brittany and Andrew Puente, Raylyn Trevino, and Brandi Layton for their caregiving.

Instead of flowers please make donations to Chapel of Hope in honor of Lupe Cantu.

A Reception will follow at St. Helena Catholic Church. Food will be accepted at 2:00 PM