Maria "Lupe" Mares

Maria Guadalupe “Lupe” Mares, 95, of Des Moines, passed away Tuesday November 12, 2024. 

 Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10AM Wednesday November 20, 2024 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM Tuesday November 19 at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home with a Rosary being recited at 4PM. Additional visitation will be held Wednesday beginning at 9AM. Burial will be at Holy Family Cemetery, Davenport, IA. Memorials may be made to the family or to Free Clinics of Iowa at Christ The King, Des Moines. 

 Lupe was born on November 19, 1928 in Canalejas, Estado de Mexico, daughter of Emilio Garcia and María Torales.

 Lupe led a full and spiritual life. Her loves were her faith, her family and friends, cooking, and gardening. She was a charitable soul who was always encouraging others to push ahead and reach their goals. At age 20 she left her hometown and went to live in Mexico City. She started there as a cook and through the help of her cousin, found a job working in the hospital and eventually became a nurse. During those years she brought her younger brothers and sisters to live with her and ensured they all had opportunities to succeed in whatever they chose. At her cousin’s wedding she met the love of her life, Aurelio Mares. They corresponded over a year and decided to marry on January 27,1963, and she moved to Davenport, Iowa. 

 Lupe’s faith was the center of her life. As a lifelong Catholic, she would recite many prayers every day that she had learned as a child, along with her daily Rosary. She attended adoration every week and went to several Bible studies. Every time she returned to Mexico City she would visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to visit the Blessed Mother. She was always praying for others and their needs. 

 Lupe loved others, especially children. As the oldest out of ten children, she would take care of the needs of her younger siblings. After retiring from Brach’s Candies she became a nanny. 

 Her love for her family and friends was expressed through her cooking. She always ensured that everyone felt fed and loved. She learned to cook Mexican American cuisine while working at Franco’s Taco House, Martinez Taco House, and Ganzo’s. She was well known for her delicious enchiladas. 

 Lupe loved gardening. Every Mother’s Day she asked for a new rose bush and a potted plant. She spent much time outdoors tending to her flower garden. 

 Those left to honor her memory include her daughters Rosalee Mares Fernandez and Mary Patricia “Patty” (Chris) Corrice; grandchildren Catherine Mares, Gabriela Ross (Fernandez) and Richard Fernandez; siblings María del Socorro Garcia Torales, Emilia Garcia Torales and Ignacia Garcia Torales; extended family members and their families: Manuel Franco, Ignacio Juarez and Juanita Ramirez.

 She was preceded in death by her husband Aurelio Mares, siblings María del Carmen Garcia Torales, Alfredo Garcia Torales, Augustin García Torales, Lupita Garcia Torales, Asuncion Garcia Torales, and Dámaso Garcia Torales.