EL NOTICOTO MAGAZINE

BY TONY FRANCO WWW.ELNOTICOTO.COM Lupe Ontiveros (September 17, 1942 – July 26, 2012) was an American film and television actress. Ontiveros acted in numerous films and television shows, more recently, an all-knowing grandmother.    She was considered a "Forceful Voice for Social Justice, and a Trailblazer for Latinas Nationwide" Ontiveros was born Guadalupe Moreno in El Paso, Texas, the daughter of Luz "Lucita" Castanon and Juan Moreno, middle-class Mexican immigrants who overcame a lack of formal education and were owners of a tortilla factory and two restaurants in El Paso. She graduated from El Paso High School and went on to study at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, where she received a bachelor's degree in social work. After her marriage, she and her husband moved to California to realize his dream of starting an automotive business. Ontiveros saw an article about a need for local film "extras".  With her husband Eli

  LOS ANGELES –  MALDEF is saddened at the passing yesterday of pioneering Mexican American actress, Lupe Ontiveros.  “Yesterday, my mother passed away at 10:20 p.m. in the company of her family,” said Ontiveros’ son, Elias Ontiveros. “My father Elias, brother Nicholas, and I were in her presence as she took her last breath.”  MALDEF Vice President of Strategic Development and Communications David Damian Figueroa stated, “I'm heartbroken by the passing of my dear friend, mentor, and confidant Lupe.  I will be forever grateful to her family for including me in her last hours. Lupe was a warrior in the fight for Latinos and civil rights.  She was always willing to support MALDEF and her community. We owe her a great debt for her trailblazing contributions in the arts and as a tireless community servant.  We have lost a great American icon.”   Ontiveros rose to prominence in 1983 for her role as a seamstress, maid, and mentor to an immigrant girl from Guatemala in