Lupe Castañeda was glowing in a fuchsia dress and George wore a sharp black suit accented by an orchid boutonniere. In George’s toast to his wife, he said, “I’d like to share that I have married the most beautiful and smartest woman in the world. Everyone can see that she is the most beautiful woman by looking at her. And if they want to see that she’s the smartest woman in the world, they only need to know that she’s decided to marry me for 60 years.” The room exploded with laughter and George and Lupe laughed and looked at each other in a dear way that showed the love they have shared for years.
|
Left Photo: George and Lupe Castenada on their wedding day. Above right: George and Lupe taken at their 60th wedding anniversary party on May 15th held at the Knights of Columbus Hall. |
Santa Paula couple marks 60 years of marriage
July 22, 2011
Santa Paula News
By Joseph Castañeda
On June 10, 2011 George and Lupe Castañeda celebrated 60 years of marriage and a life full of family and friends. In 1951, George and Lupe joined their lives together in holy matrimony in Santa Paula, California at Our Lady of Guadalupe. They were born in Santa Paula and have continued to live there, except for three months they spent in Presidio San Francisco while George served in the Third Army Division.
In their early years, Lupe stayed home to care for their son George and later their daughter Vanessa, while George went to work at his father’s business Gil’s Food Market. In 1963, George and Lupe took over the family business and worked side by side for more than 30 years. They were able to use the store to support their family and the entire community, opening the doors for voter registration, farm worker meetings and community fairs. They strongly supported social justice issues alongside Cesar Chavez and his efforts to improve the conditions of farm workers in their community. Before they retired in 1995, both of their children, George and Vanessa, joined the family business as well.
George and Lupe have created a strong family, who joined them on June 11, 2011 at the Knights of Columbus Hall for their anniversary celebration. Their family was integral to the success of the party: George Castañeda Jr., their son, played original music, and Vanessa Downing, their daughter, dedicated a lovely toast to her parents. Their grandchildren also provided musical entertainment; Jorge III and Noah Castañeda had the hall full of family and friends tapping their feet and laughing out loud. Larissa Downing and Jaime Castañeda got the hall ready, decorating the tables and arranging the room. Carina Downing and Joseph Castañeda teamed up to create the invitation, Carina editing photos and designing the presentation, and Joseph writing an anniversary poem, “A Love Letter for Two.” The manner in which their family and friends came together to celebrate and support the anniversary is a testament to the love George and Lupe have create.
