Obituary: Maricela Gudiño Lopez

Maricela Gudiño Lopez

March 6, 1955 to June 18, 2015

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 
Philippians 1:21  

Maricela Gudiño-Lopez died painlessly early in the morning on Thursday, June 18, 2015, in Stockton, California.  She was surrounded by four dozen family members in her final days at the hospital and in her final moments she was held by her husband, three sons and their wives, and her youngest sister and brother-in-law.  She was 60 years old.

Maricela was born on March 6, 1955 in Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.  She spent her childhood between the city and her hometown of San Nicolas surrounded by her five brothers Ireneo, Roberto, Joaquin, Luis, and Carlos, and her four sisters Tranquilina, Margarita, Clara, and Patricia.  During her high school years, she moved with her family to San Francisco, where her father Ireneo Gudino Rodriguez, owned and operated a small gasoline station in the Mission District.  In 1972, she graduated from Hayward High School as an “international student,” after her family set roots in Castro Valley. She attended Chabot College and worked until she met and fell in love with Mr. Jose Luis Lopez, Sr., in San Jose.  They married in 1975 at All Saints Church in Hayward.  They had their first two children in San Jose before settling permanently in Stockton and having a third son.

Maricela was a full-time mother and member of St. George’s “Los Guadalupanos” club until establishing J&C Auto Motor with her husband in 1997.  She was charitable at home as well as in the community, always helping her extended family. In her spare time, Maricela enjoyed playing with her grandchildren, comforting family members, organizing gatherings, knitting, and was an avid collector of porcelain angels.  Maricela was full of life, love, and vibrant until the end.  

She was an inspiring woman who raised three outstanding young men, all graduates of Edison High School. Her eldest son became a Hopkins-trained neurologist (Stanford, UCLA); her second son a scientist (UCSB), and her youngest son a pet shop assistant (Delta College).  Her family success story was featured in The Record on April 9, 2001.  Maricela was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ireneo and Amparo Gudino, brothers Ireneo and Roberto, all of Castro Valley, as well as, her elder sister Margarita Nunez of Stockton. She is survived by her loving husband Jose Luis Lopez, Sr., Stockton resident since 1981, business owner and member of Comerciantes Unidos.  She is also survived by her three sons Jose Luis Lopez, M.D. (Oakley), David Lopez (Hayward), Jesus Lopez (Stockton), as well as, three grandchildren:  Joaquin Andres (10), Alegria Mia (8), and Karicia Nayeli (9 months).

A public viewing and vigil will be held on Wednesday, June 24^th at Chapel of the Palms, as well as, a memorial service celebrating her life on Thursday, June 25^th at 9-11am at St. George’s Parish in Stockton, for all who would like to attend.  Condolences may be sent to her son Dr. Lopez at P.O. Box 5516, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.

Rest in Peace