Born 88 years ago to Juan Muro and Francisca Del Rio Muro in Kansas City, Lupe Muro Corral lived a significant and purposeful life. At 17, she met and married her husband Leo Corral. Leo, Lupe and the extended family traversed the states from Kansas, Nebraska, Idaho, Montana, and California as migrant farmworkers. After many years of the migratory life, Leo and Lupe and two daughters settled in Gilroy in 1940 with a desire to stay put. And that, they did. Leo and Lupe worked for Charlie Gubser on his ranch and it was there that they expanded their family to six children. Living the American dream, Leo and Lupe bought a home in 1957 and this home became the nucleus of family activity.
Family was the essence of Lupe’s life. Leo and Lupe raised six children. Her great sorrows were losing two children at an early age – Ralph and Rachel – and later, Leo, her husband of 52 years. Although the pain of these losses was difficult, Lupe was always able to focus on her many blessings starting with her 18 grandchildren – David, Lynn and Michael Camacho; Sandra, Jacki, Bobby, Joseph Carrillo, and Steven Loza; Selena, Chuckie, Lance, and Travis Corral; Tina, Michael, and Cindy Ainsworth; and Kelly, Briana, and Anthony Carlson. She lived to see and enjoy 50 great- grandchildren and 30 great-great-grandchildren. Mom/Grandma Lupe’s home was always open to family and friends any time of the day. She was always ready to greet you with a sonrisa, home-made tortillas, and a pot of frijoles. Her offerings were simple but her welcome was warm. Lupe is survived by four children – Jennie Camacho (Fran), Charlie Corral (Bridgette), Gloria Ainsworth (Bill), Esther Corral-Carlson (David), her brother and his wife, Manuel and Rosa Muro (Gilroy), brother-in-law Paul Corral (Whittier, CA), and many nieces and nephews who fondly remember Tía Lupe as their gift.
Our family is so thankful for the loving care our mother received from the staff and owner Jean Tognaccini of the Villa Serena in Morgan Hill. Mama Lupe, as she was fondly called, was a loved and respected resident.
The family invites you to celebrate her significant life at a memorial mass at St. Mary’s Church at 11 First Street in Gilroy at 2:00 P.M., on Friday, October 2, 2009 followed by a graveside service.
