Guadalupe (Lupe) Calderon Ocasio, a beacon of strength and inspiration, passed away after a valiant battle with cancer, in Zeeland, Michigan, on July 26, 2024, surrounded by her family and listening to her favorite hymns. She is preceded in death by her parents, Emilio Calderon and Emilia Garcia Ortiz, her first husband, Victor Manuel (Vitin) Rodriguez, second husband, Nelson Ocasio, and her youngest brother, Jesus (Tito) Calderon.

Lupe was born on November 15, 1942, in the beautiful city of Dorado, Puerto Rico. Her life was a testament to the power of faith, education, and service, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who knew her.

Embracing life with a spirit that was as formidable as it was gentle, Lupe was the cherished only daughter and eldest child of Emilio Calderon and Emilia Garcia Ortiz. Her legacy continues through her loving children: Victor, Jr. (Pamela), Elvis (Susan), Emmy (Rodney), and Omar (Sarah); her devoted siblings: Tony (Wilma), Raul (Lucy), Carmelo, Alex, Davis; her adoring grandchildren: Victor III, Angela, Annette, Elvis, Jr., Kayla, Alejandro, Victor Joseph, Solomon, Grace; along with five great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends all of whom she loved dearly and who were all touched by her radiant life.

Lupe's academic prowess was evident early on as she attended Julia Richman High School, an ivy league school for gifted students, where she graduated as valedictorian. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Grand Valley State University, where she earned her degree in Business Management with honors and became a proud member of the National Honors Society.

Lupe's professional journey was as impactful as her educational one. Her professional career included working as a secretary at the prestigious 5th Avenue New York City Public Library and as an executive secretary at numerous places, such as the Eli Lilly & Company in Puerto Rico and Harvard University in Massachussets. The pinnacle of her career was working as a dedicated social worker with the state of Michigan until her retirement in 2010. As a social worker, she was a pillar of support for those fortunate enough to be assigned to her. Her courageous spirit and unwavering commitment to social justice enabled her to help countless women find their path to success, reintegration into the workforce, and empowerment. Lupe's legacy as a fierce advocate for the poor and marginalized will continue to echo through the many lives she touched.

A strong woman of faith, Lupe was a prayer warrior and was instrumental in co-founding several Spanish Seventh-day Adventist churches in Michigan, alongside her family and close friends. She also helped found numerous singing groups and choirs throughout her life. Her profound love for the Lord was palpable in every Sabbath School class she taught and her active participation in women's and youth ministries. Her faith-filled life was a living sermon of love, compassion, and unshakable trust in God and an example of her commitment to nurturing the seeds of faith in others.

Lupe's entrepreneurial spirit was equally remarkable. She was a savvy businesswoman with a keen sense for real estate investments, and her commitment to helping others succeed was unwavering. Lupe's integrity and strong work ethic were legendary and she lived by the creed that hard work and education are the cornerstones of success. Her motto, "If you're not working, you better be in school and if you're not in school, you'd better be working," inspired many to strive for excellence in every aspect of their lives.

Lupe's voracious appetite for knowledge caused her to spend countless hours reading her Bible, Christian literature, self-improvement books, and becoming proficient in four languages. Lupe's love for journaling, and her expertise in Pitman shorthand, resulted in a treasure trove of wisdom-filled notebooks, a legacy of her analytical and reflective mind, matched only by her courageous and kind heart.

Lupe's zest for life was contagious, whether she was at church or with family, advocating for women, the poor or the young, soaking in the beauty of nature, marveling at sunsets on the beach, or enjoying her beloved grand-dogs, Coco and Perla. She was the embodiment of courage, integrity, and perseverance, inspiring others to live with purpose and passion. Her legacy is not one of sorrow, but a clarion call to live a life of service, learning, hard work, and unwavering faith.

Lupe has fallen asleep in Christ with the strong conviction that one day "the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." (1 Thessalonians 4:16 KJV)

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 1, at the Holland Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 11279 E Ottogan St, Holland, MI 49423. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am. A private family graveside service will be held on Friday, August 2, at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI. Memorial contributions in Lupe's memory may be made to Hope Sabbath School via Hopetv.org.