Maria Guadalupe Hopp, “Lupe,” passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. Lupe was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer in 2009, despite being a non-smoker, but maintained an active lifestyle for 8 ½ years until the disease spread throughout her body. She endured countless medical tests, procedures and treatments with unbelievable patience, a sense of humor and tremendous graciousness towards her care givers. With incredible faith in God, unwavering positivity and courage, she refused to let the cancer keep her from the important things in her life, namely family, friends and community involvement. Even while confined to a wheelchair for her final few years, she made the effort to attend countless events and meetings as well as outings with her girlfriends. She truly enjoyed meeting people and being social, and had a special way of instantly connecting with others, including strangers, via her beautiful smile and friendly humor.
Lupe was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on August 26, 1947 and met Dan, her husband of 48 years, while ‘cruising’ on a Sunday evening shorty before their senior year of high school in 1964. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a teaching degree and taught many subjects including Spanish & English before deciding to stay at home to be there for her 3 children. Lupe loved being surrounded by her family and her four sisters’ families, hosting many large (and loud!) holiday gatherings. She was an avid bridge player, belonged to golfing and bowling leagues and was a whiz at crossword puzzles and Words with Friends. In spite of her disease, which came with many needs, she always thought first of her family’s needs, particularly of her two granddaughters whom she adored. She is survived by her husband, Dan; daughter Emily Gibiec (Marek); son Dan (Bonnie); daughter Melissa Roch (Michael) and her two children (Faith and Lily); and sisters Irma Kraimer and Ann Butyinski and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Teresa Gnewuch and Marge Zoltowski and her parents, Eduardo and Mary Lopez of Milan, Michigan. She was the heart and soul of the Hopp family and will be deeply missed.
A visitation will be held at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph on Sunday, August 27 from 2:00 P.M to 6:00 P.M. A celebration of life service will be held at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph on Monday, August 28 at 11:00 A.M. Private burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Child & Family Services of Berrien County or First Congregational Church of St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Lupe’s guest book may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.