Maria Guadalupe Mejía passed away on February 12, 2026, at the age of 80.

She is survived by her loving sister, Minerva Mejía Kong; her niece and goddaughter, Adriana Kong Romero (Frank); her nephew and godson Joey Mejia, nieces and nephews Manuel Mejía Jr. (Elisa), Arnold Mejía (Bonnie), Sergio Mejía (Yesenia), Jessica Bernal-Mejía (Rene), Maria Teresa Acevedo (Miguel), and Benjamin Mejía; along with many godchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Socorro Mejía, her brothers, Manuel Mejía Sr. and Joe Mejía Jr., and her dog Sweet Pea.

Lupita, as she was known to many, was born in Douglas, AZ on July 9, 1945. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Art in Education with a bilingual emphasis and a Master of Educational Leadership.

She dedicated over 35 years to the Douglas Unified School District, where she worked as a beloved elementary school teacher and principal. She was a champion of bilingual education and touched the lives of countless students and colleagues with her kindness, wisdom, and dedication to learning.

Lupita's greatest joy in life was her family. She loved deeply and unconditionally, and she made each person feel seen, valued, and cherished. She was a constant source of encouragement, always celebrating even the smallest accomplishments and proudly sharing the successes of her loved ones with everyone she met. Nothing brought her more happiness than gathering together, hearing laughter fill the room, and creating lasting memories.

She kept close ties with her nieces, nephews, godchildren, and extended family, taking genuine interest in their lives, their dreams, and their daily moments. She treasured every phone call, visit, photograph, and update she received. Her guidance, wisdom, and gentle strength were gifts she freely shared, and her family will forever carry her lessons of love, faith, perseverance, and unity in their hearts.

An avid fan of the University of Arizona Wildcats and the Douglas High School Bulldogs, she truly embodied the phrases "Wildcat for Life" and "Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Those who wish may also honor her by donating blood and/or plasma in her memory.

She will be deeply missed and forever remain in our hearts.