Guadalupe H Miranda's Obituary
Guadalupe Hernandez Miranda (Mom) 80 of San Diego, California, passed away on December 28, 2022, after long 8-year battle with cancer.
Mom was born on July 21, 1942 to Gilberto and Angelina Hernandez in Mexico City, Mexico. She attended beauty college in Mexico and became a beauty technician, where she said she loved working and laughing with her coworkers.
As fate would have it, in 1966, the most beautiful woman in the world would marry the most handsome man in the world, our father Luis G. Miranda (pop). They blessed the world with seven children Jose Luis, Gilberto, Ricardo, Patricia, Enrique, Olivia and Juan. Mom also had 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
One of mom’s favorite things to do was shop. She could spend all day in the stores looking for just the right thing. Many times, she was not just shopping for herself, but loved searching for things she felt we needed. She could easily outshop her daughters and nieces, and because of this, they took turns in taking her. And of course, what is shopping without a nice lunch afterwards? It was then when she was most mischievous as she would take full advantage to eat all the things, she knew she shouldn’t be eating, and knew if the oldest found out he would scold her for it. She couldn’t say no to her favorite goodies like dark chocolate and pan dulce.
Mom laughed. She was a woman that loved to laugh, and never did she do that more than when she was with pop. She taught us many things, and even up until her last days she never stopped trying to teach us. She led by example as well, and one of the greatest teachings was that of a loving, supportive, and happy marriage. You could see the tenderness in her eyes when dad would come home tired from a long day of work. If it’s one thing we all loved and remember was seeing them always hold hands and seeing how pop never let her carry anything heavy even while battling cancer. He always treated her like his queen. Seeing their marriage all those years has taught us to always strive for what they had.
Mom loved. She loved her children deeply. Times were hard growing up, and on days where we barely had anything to eat in the house, she somehow managed to give us an amazing dinner. She was known in the neighborhood for her fresh flour tortillas, and humbly offered to our friends when visiting. In the summer, she would walk us to the public library where we could get lunch, go to the park to see the monkeys, and enter a summer reading program. She always seemed to enjoy when we were home from school. She’d sit with us outside while pop was at work, watch us play, smile, and just really seemed to enjoy being with us.
Mom cried. On July 6, 2011, at the age of 69, her husband of 56 years passed away and we believe a piece of mom also died that day. On that day we truly understood what a broken heart was just by looking into her eyes. Eventually she learned to laugh again but there was always that little spark that was missing in her as she never stopped missing or loving my dad. All you had to do was ask her about him and she would light up remembering and laughing about the things he would say or do.
Mom passed. When mom passed, I believe that although she fought, she was also tired of fighting a losing and painful battle. What is admired most of her is that despite her battles in life, she kept fighting through them, staying positive and keeping strong in her faith, even if deep down she was sad and scared. She tried not to show us those emotions, the last thing she wanted to do was worry us more. I can almost hear my dad calling to her saying, “Just come on with me, the kids will be fine, we have raised them well.” My mom is in heaven with pop now. This may sound like wishful thinking, but we truly know this to be true. Moms’ soul was beautiful and if we can be half as good as her then we will sure one day see her again in paradise. Rest now mom go be with your Viejo, we will miss you, we will cry for you, but we will never ever stop loving you or forget you. You are loved mom.
What’s your fondest memory of Guadalupe?
What’s a lesson you learned from Guadalupe?
Share a story where Guadalupe's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Guadalupe you’ll never forget.
How did Guadalupe make you smile?
