Maria Guadalupe "Lupe" Salinas

Lupe Salinas age 96 was called home to eternal rest on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at her home on Galveston Island, Texas surrounded by her loving and devoted family. Funeral Mass is 10:00am Monday, August 24, 2026, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Carnes Brothers Funeral Home in Galveston. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Sunday from 5:00pm until 8:00pm where a rosary will be recited at 6:30pm.

Lupe was born in Morelos Coahuila, Mexico on March 26, 1930, to Isidra and Manuel Perez.  Raised by her devoted father after her mother's passing, Lupe, her sister Rita and brother Jose' Luis had a loving and adventurous childhood.

Lupe was a devout Catholic who believed deeply in her relationship with God, because of this we know that she was greeted with love and warmth as she entered the gates of Heaven.  We are confident that on Sunday evening there was a huge welcome home celebration by those loved ones who went before her.  These include her parents Manuel and Isidra, her siblings Jose' Luis Perez and her sister/best friend Rita Perez Acosta, granddaughter Crystal Lozano, daughter Sonia Perez, son Benny Salinas Jr. and the love of her life Benito "Benny" Salinas Sr. as well as many other family and friends.

Lupe now lights the way for those of us who love, admire, adore and cherish her as we carry her memory for the rest of our days. We are her big, beautiful family: Sister-in-law Cha-Cha Gonzales, daughter Laura Lozano and husband Danny, son Victor Salinas, daughter Bertha Riedel and husband Mike, daughter Diana Ybarra and husband Tino, daughter/granddaughter Alicia Massey and husband John and daughter in law Amy Salinas. The lights of Lupe's life were her 3 generations of grandchildren. Grandchildren: Stephanie Burns and husband Will, Daniel Lozano and fiancé Ryli, Joseph Perez and wife Christina, Luis "Lucci" Perez, Jessica Riedel, Justin Riedel and Samantha, Stephen Ybarra and wife Hayle, Dylan Ybarra and wife Andrea and Gavin Taylor.  Great Grandchildren: Roderick "Rocky" and Cathy, Anjelica, Evan, Ella, Stevie, Dylan "D.J." Jr., Marlee, Andrew, Aaron, Lexi and Beau. Great-Great Grandchildren: Jordan, Lena, DaQuoia and Roderick "Rocky" Jr. Lupe is also survived by numerous loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends who's lives she touched over her 96 years.

Although Lupe couldn't make it to church weekly, her "church ladies" came every Friday to her home.  This was a great source of comfort and strength for Lupe as they not only prayed with her and for her but would bring her Holy Communion as well.  Lupe prayed for everyone in her family by name daily and for all that needed prayer and comfort.  Lupe was a great source of wisdom, sound advice and a safe space to all that knew her.  You could go to her with your troubles and never fear of judgement.  One of her best sayings was "Everybody's got something".  This was her way of telling you not to judge others and to be kind and loving toward everyone.

Lupe and Benny loved to entertain family and friends from near and far.  Every weekend you could find them hosting barbeque cookouts with lots of singing and dancing way into the night. There were even times they shut down part of 55th street because the crowds were so big.  No one ever left one of their gatherings, or their home for that matter, hungry or thirsty.  Lupe and Benny were not rich in finances but what they had they shared with anyone in need.  They were rich in love, devotion, Faith and the belief in caring for others. If you came to the Salinas home, there would be Lupe ready to put food in your belly, laughter in your soul, smile on your face and all she needed in return was a hug. Some of the best memories her family has is of weekend breakfasts with homemade tortillas and her famous chile to top your porkchops, beans and eggs.  All of Lupe's children's friends and grandchildren's friends have fond memories of growing up in the Salinas household.  The door was always open to anyone in need of shelter and a loving yet lively environment.

For years Lupe and Rita hosted "Tamale Day" in early December where they along with the women in the family would make dozens upon dozens of tamales from scratch.  This was a long but fun productive day where lots of laughter, memories and the occasional mimosa were shared.  After all of the hard work was finished, the ladies would go to Salsa's on the Seawall to have margaritas, listen to mariachi music and celebrate the day.

Lupe had the most beautiful smile, which she passed on to her children, had the biggest heart and gave the best hugs. She loved music, especially her Tejano music, she was always dancing and would make everyone dance with her.  You could hear her singing along to her favorite songs and sometimes if you were lucky, you'd find her and her grandson Dylan signing a duet. She passed on her love of music and her zest for LIFE to all of her children, their children and all who were Blessed to know her.  Her light was infectious and you couldn't be in a bad mood around Lupe, she wouldn't have it and her smile would mend your troubles.

When they weren't entertaining at home, Lupe and Benny were on the road to the Perez family ranch in Mexico with all 6 kids in tow.  Sometimes they would be caravanning with Lupe's sister Rita, brother-in-law Benjamin and their 5 kids.  The life and memories these 2 families shared were priceless and the adventures were plentiful.  These were lives well lived and never taken for granted.

While Lupe never worked outside the home, she did spend her life taking care of not just her children but everyone else's.  She helped raise all of her nieces/nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren and anyone else that needed taking care of. Lupe might have been born in Mexico, but her heart was as big as Texas.

The family would like to thank the people who helped care for Lupe over the last 20 months of her life: Highland Hospice and nurses Penny and Paula, her sister-in-law Cha-Cha, family member Cathy, family friends Minerva, Henrietta, Mila and "Pumpkin" and Dominica who was a devoted caregiver and friend who would take Lupe to visit Rita, many adventures, give her manis and pedis and shared her love of Tejano music.  We are forever grateful for the love, care and attention you all showed our Matriarch.

Pallbearers will be Lupe's loving grandsons: Joseph Perez, Luis "Lucci" Perez, Justin Riedel, Stephen Ybarra, Dylan Ybarra, Daniel Lozano, Roderick "Rocky" Gasaway and Gavin Taylor.

Rest Easy now Lupe, we will carry your light with us until we see your beautiful smile again.