María de Jesús López
1929- 2015

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – María de Jesús López, 85, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

She was a devoted wife to Martin López (deceased); mother, to her 10 loving children, Enrique, Ampelia, Natividad, Jesus, Lety, Marcos, Martin, Juan, Maria “Dubie” and Armando; and grandmother. 

She celebrated 70 years of marriage to Martin López prior to his death.

María de Jesús “Nina” was born on May 10, 1929, in La Higuera Municipio Juchitlán, Jalisco, México to Miguel Núñez Ramírez (deceased) and Rosario Casillas Hernández (deceased).

She married Martin López in 1944. In the late 70s she joined him in California, moving the rest of the family to Upper Lake.

They knew that moving to the United States would offer their children a better life. She knew that life in Mexico was changing and not for the better.

At the age of 6 she learned the responsibilities of the household by being the cook and mother to her baby brother.

She often said that in order to reach the woodstove, she needed to put four bricks to reach the “metate” to grind the corn and make tortillas.

At that young age she would get up at 4 a.m. to cook breakfast and pack lunch for a long day ahead.

She worked right along her father from sun up to sun down in the fields. On a monthly basis she was known to join her father in the hunt for the months’ supply of meat.

She never complained, not even during the last minutes of her life.

The move to the United States provided the opportunities that as parents they dreamed of and much more.

The family grew up in Upper Lake and the majority still live in Lake County, raising their own children.

She is lovingly known as “Nina” by her grandchildren and all extended friends and family.

She was an incredible cook who always had a warm kitchen waiting for everyone for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and when she knew company was arriving, she made sure that food was ready. She often said that love starts in the stomach with a great meal.

Her most favorite time was surrounded by all her children and their families. She loved gatherings, no matter how large or small.

When not cooking, she would be knitting her own clothing line from scarfs to sweaters, baby shoes, comforters, baby blankets, baby sweaters and table clothes. Many of her handmade items were specially created for her individual children or grandchildren in addition to her personal collection of sweaters and hats.

She also was an incredible seamstress. Up until she moved to the USA, she made all of the clothes for the family and friends. She had a very keen eye for patterns. People would describe the style of the dress, jacket or shirt and she would make it.

She simply did not stop … she gave her all to her family. She taught her children and grandchildren determination, a sense of strong work ethic and most of all an understanding of the importance of family.

One thing she will always be known for was her daily schedule: breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at noon and dinner at 5 p.m. and any time in between for anyone who visited – the kitchen was always open.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her 10 children, Enrique (Irma), Ampelia (Luis) Garcia, Natividad (Rosa), Jesus, Leticia (Joaquin), Marcos (Norma), Martin, Juan (Renee), Maria “Dubie” (Gonzalo), Armando (Leria); many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Lina; brother, Florencio; and many, many extended family and friends.

She was preceded by her children, Felipe and Antonio; sisters, Maria “Lico” and Josefina; brother, Jose; and parents, Miguel and Rosario.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, on Friday, May 1, from 3 to 6 p.m., with a rosary service at 6 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport, on Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m.

The family invites you to also join them after Mass at Upper Lake Cemetery at 870 Clover Valley Road, followed by a remembrance at Maria’s home in Upper Lake.

Donations may be sent to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1862 Parallel Drive, Lakeport, CA 95453,  by phone at 707-263-6222 or online at http://www.lakecountyhospice.org/donate/ .