Guadalupe Ornelas

Guadalupe Ornelas, 76, of Camarillo, California, passed away peacefully on June 6th, 2026 in the town she loved so much.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Guadalupe was the fourth eldest of 12 children. At around 25, she made the courageous decision to move to the United States, determined to build a better life for herself and her young children.

She was twice married. Her first marriage to Thomas Rodriguez brought her five children Carmen, Maricela, Mario, Thomas and Veronica, and she preceded his death in 1977, later surviving their son Thomas, and then surviving son Mario on December 16,2009. She later married Jesus Ornelas, and together they had three children: Jesus, Fabian, and Cristina. She survived him by 27 years. She is deeply cherished by all seven of her children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Lupe expressed her love through food. A gifted cook whose meals brought family and friends together, she was known for her unforgettable tamales, chilaquiles, enchiladas, menudo, chiles rellenos, and beans served with freshly made tortillas. Her home was a welcoming place where every neighborhood child felt at home, and no one ever left her table hungry. Many carry cherished memories of sitting with her, a warm flour tortilla in hand, enjoying not only her cooking but also her company.

Lupe often said that the secret ingredient in her cooking was family. Those who knew her understood that the true secret was the love she poured into every dish she prepared.

She was funny, stubborn, kind, hardworking, a great dancer , and a lover of travel — but above all, she was the strongest person any of us will ever know.Widowed twice and having raised her children largely on her own, life gave her more hardship than most could imagine, but she never let it define her. She taught her family to be strong and keep moving forward, no matter what. Selfless to her core, she always put others first, opened her home to those in need , gave generously through her church, and always left others with more than she kept for herself . She became the biggest dog lover: Chacha,Buster, Ozzy, Lydia, Lula, Sammy, and Jack aresurely running to greet her now. She was a saint, an angel sent by God. Her love for her children was the true definition of unconditional love.

In her final days, she frequently described a beautiful place with blue waters that appeared in her dreams, bringing her comfort and peace. While our hearts are broken , there is comfort in knowing she is no longer in pain and that she is in the presence of our Lord, in that beautiful place she spoke of. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and a family that will carry her with them every single day. She loved us for the rest of her life and now we will miss her for the rest of ours.

Ama, vuela alto con los ángeles y respira.