Marie Guadalupe "Lupe" Castro

Marie Guadalupe “Lupe” Castro was one of the most genuine and caring human beings anyone could know. At the age of 98, Lupe passed away Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna, IL. A Celebration of Life visitation will be held 5 – 8pm Friday, July 26, 2024 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. A graveside service will be held 11am Saturday, July 27 at Savanna Township Cemetery.

Lupe was born February 25, 1926, in Jalpa De Canobas, Guanajuato Mexico, the daughter of Juan “John” and Juanna (Barrera) Ramirez. Her father worked for the railroad which brought the family to Savanna. They had humble beginnings in Savanna, and their first home was a boxcar near the train yard. Lupe learned a great work ethic from her parents. She graduated from Savanna High School with the Class of 1945. On July 27, 1946, Lupe married Raymond Castro. They raised four children, Ramon “Jay”, Francis, Daniel and Roxanne, and they celebrated 12 years of marriage until Raymond’s passing in 1958.

Lupe was ahead of her time, working as one of the first hispanic females in Savanna to have a job on Main Steet with the Savanna Finance Company. She also worked many years at the Savanna Medical Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and then finished her career with 26 years at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna. Lupe also devoted time by serving as the Assembly of God Church secretary for many years.

Lupe believed in volunteering in her community, volunteering several years at Big Meadows after retirement and volunteering at the Great River Outreach Table for several years to welcome people to the meal center. Most important to her was family. She loved getting together and cooking frijoles, fideo, carne asada and tacos. She was welcoming to all, even those that didn’t have families nearby.

Lupe will be dearly missed by her son, Ramon “Jay” (Georgann) Castro of Freeport; her daughter, Roxanne “Roxy” (Philip) Smith of Kempner, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Jo Castro of Rockton; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, John Ramirez of Moline, and Louis (Vicki) Ramirez of Henderson, Nevada; four sisters, Alice Ferris of Bellevue, Nebraska, Rose Friederich of Camanche, Iowa, Angeline (Bill) Ernst, Camdenton, Missourri, and Lillian (Merle) Sterenberg of Fulton. Lupe is preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Juanna; her husband, Raymond; two sons, Francis and Daniel Castro; a brother, Michael Ramirez; and a sister, Josephine Ramirez.