Guadalupe Lara Rodriguez, age 90, of Waco, Texas, passed away on February 10, 2026. She was born on April 14, 1935, in Múzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico.

To her family and friends, she was lovingly known as Pita. Pita lived a life full of love, creativity, and devotion to her family. In her youth, she was a professional swimmer, a testament to her strength and determination. She later became an outstanding seamstress, able to sew anything and everything with remarkable skill and patience.

Pita was also an amazing cook and baker, well known for preparing entire banquets—creating everything from the wedding dress to the food and even the cake. Her creativity extended beyond the kitchen; she was a gifted and crafty woman who loved working with her hands, including making beautiful flowers out of sugar.

In her later years, up until January 8 of this year, Pita especially enjoyed making tamales with her daughter Myrna. She found joy in staying busy, whether sewing, cooking, or creating something meaningful with her hands. Most of all, Pita’s greatest happiness came from having her family together, enjoying good food, laughter, and loving companionship.

Pita was a humble, giving, and hospitable woman whose home and heart were always open. She lived her life in service to others, quietly showing love through her actions rather than words, and leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Guadalupe was preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Andrea Rodriguez; her brothers Francisco, Jose Maria, Geronimo, and Santos Rodriguez; her husband Hector Lara Sr.; and her sons Hector Lara and Francisco Lara.

She is survived by her siblings Ricardo, Alejandra, Concepcion, Maria Luisa, and Carlos Rodriguez; her children Alma Lara (husband Jose), Hector Lara (wife Melissa), and Myrna Lopez (husband Gilberto); her grandchildren Janeth Tucker, Ericka Castillo, Angelica Castillo, Adrian Lara, Fabian Lara, Zashary Trejo, Mark Rivera, Alejandro Lopez, and Dania Lara; and her great-grandchildren Andres Castillo, Sophia Tucker, Patrick Tucker, Hector Espinoza, Erik Espinoza, Ximena Sotelo, Farid Sotelo, Ángela Sotelo, Yakira Trejo, Josiah Trejo, Mateo Trejo, and Antonio Lopez.

A visitation in her honor will begin at 5:30pm, Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 10:00am, Friday, February 13, 2026 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home with burial following at Waco Memorial Park. 

Pita will be deeply missed and forever cherished. Her memory lives on in the lives she touched, the family she nurtured, and the traditions she lovingly passed down through generations. Her legacy of humility, generosity, hard work, and unconditional love will continue to guide and inspire all who were blessed to know her. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in every shared meal, every handmade creation, and every moment of togetherness she so dearly treasured.