Obituary of Maria Guadalupe H. Ohlmaier

Our strong willed, determined, big hearted and loyal mother, wife, Nana, sister, aunt and friend, Maria Guadalupe H. Ohlmaier, was called home on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. It was a blessing to us all that she was prepared spiritually, physically and mentally to be with the Lord and so many loved ones who were waiting for her, including her devoted husband of 57 years, Ricardo, who predeceased her on October 11, 2016. She was peaceful and surrounded by loved ones upon her passing. Guadalupe was born on January 29, 1934; she was the fifth of eight children born to Francisco Hoyos and Francisca Adams de Hoyos in Cumpas, Sonora, Mexico. Being a middle child, she took great care in mothering her younger siblings. She formed especially firm bonds with her younger sister Lydia, who would become and remain one of her closest friends and confidant throughout her life. Guadalupe enjoyed primary school, especially the social aspects, making life-long friends. In her teens, she worked at her sister Alicia's variety store in their small home town. She always had an eye for design and patterns, once commenting that she enjoyed getting the first look at newly arriving fabrics for the store. She became an accomplished seamstress, sewing some of her daughter Rose Mary's clothes; later, she learned to both crochet and knit and happily made receiving blankets for babies of family and friends. When Lupe, as she was best known, was 24 years old she married her high school sweetheart and eternal companion, Ricardo Ohlmaier. Lupe and Ricardo enjoyed their life together for 57 years, raising two children, Martin and Rose Mary. In April, 1977, Lupe and her family were baptized together and have served as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She willingly and faithfully held many callings, including service as Sunday School teacher, missionary, and member and among the leadership of the women's Relief Society. Lupe was a woman of many talents and interests. She had a varied work career including manager at Cactus Craft, a Tucson-based industry that created Arizona-themed décor and souvenir items. Always interested in food preparation, cooking, and party planning, she worked at the catering department of the University of Arizona, and completed her career life with 15 years of service in the kitchen of the Pima County Sheriff's Department Jail. Lupe loved learning new things including crafts from macramé to cake decorating to creating highly ornate, one-of-a-kind sugar Easter eggs. Her homemade tamales were an eagerly awaited Christmas-time treat by many. She became the trusted source of cream cheese mints for numerous weddings, baby showers and other gatherings. Her children have fond memories of gathering almost nightly around her antique wood burning stove to grab her hot flour tortillas. The smell still evokes that wonderful memory of food and family. Throughout her children's teen years, she was often found shuttling them from scouts to band performances and church activities. She was frequently in the stands to cheer them on during their performances at various events. In her later years, she would tell you that she was most happy spending time with her beloved grandchildren, including attending many of their school events and performances. She regularly spoiled them with unlimited servings of ice cream with mountains of maraschino cherries. The family gives their profound thanks to her devoted caregiver, Karamina (who was the proud recipient of seven of Lupe's hand knitted baby blankets). Karamina's patience and understanding of Lupe, who often was a challenge to care for, were exemplary and are greatly appreciated. The family also would like to thank numerous family and church members, friends and neighbors for their constant care and support. From yard work to home repairs, rides, meals and companionship, it was and is much appreciated. Thank you all! Lupe was a dedicated wife and mother, loved sister, and an adored "Tia Lupe" to over 40 nieces and nephews as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. But her favorite title of all was "Nana" to her four grandchildren. Lupe was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ricardo. She is survived by children Martin Ohlmaier (Hillary) and Rose Mary Parrish (Rod); much loved grandchildren Makena, Gabriel, Sonora, and Reese; and brother Francisco and sister Lydia, both of Tucson, and baby brother Luis of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Lupe was preceded in death by her sisters Francisca, Alicia, Adelina, and brother Ernesto. Her legacy of love for her family, testimony and faithfulness to her Lord, and service to others will continue to be an inspiration and example to us all. Services to be held at the LDS Greasewood Chapel, 2002 N. Greasewood, Tucson, AZ on Tuesday, 26 September 2017. Viewing from 9:00am to 10:30am, services from 10:30am to 11:30am, burial to follow at Binghampton Cemetery, 4001 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ.