Lupe Neudecker, born Maria Lupe Villarreal on June 30, 1932, in Dallas, Texas, died peacefully on October 8, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A prayer service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd. NE, followed by interment and a reception at St. Micheal & All Angels Episcopal Church, 601 Montaño Rd. NW.
Neudecker grew up in Dallas’s Little Mexico, a historic hub for Mexican-American migrant communities, and later moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where she raised three daughters with her husband, Joe, whom she married in 1961. After retiring, she split time between Los Alamos and Albuquerque, maintaining strong ties to both. She worked as a teacher’s aide and administrator at Los Alamos National Laboratory and volunteered with the Girl Scouts and the Los Alamos Historical Museum. Lupe instilled in her daughters the expectation that they could do anything they set their minds to and should have the careers they wanted
, according to one source. She also modeled acting on her deeply held value that everyone has intrinsic worth and should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential
, the source added.
Funeral Arrangements
The rosary, prayer service, and interment will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery, with a reception at St. Micheal & All Angels Episcopal Church. Neudecker’s family will gather at the church after the interment, per details from French Funerals.
Personal Legacy and Interests
Neudecker was a lifelong reader and traveler, visiting Europe, Canada, China, and Japan with her husband. She cherished New Mexico’s landscapes, including its “vast blue skies” and “Christmastime luminarias,” and collected owl-related items. She enjoyed snowy mornings with coffee, often calling family to view the snow, and took grandchildren to museums, zoos, and aquariums. Her favorite colors were turquoise, pink, and yellow, and she preferred red over green. She read books across many genres in both English and Spanish and stayed up-to-date on current events
, a source noted. For many years, they celebrated their anniversary in Las Vegas, Nevada, taking in the many shows there
, the source added. She also loved looking at nature and, in keeping with her immense love of birds, was an avid collector of all things owls
, the source said. She would often sit on her patio alongside her statue of St. Francis, observing all the roadrunners and rabbits that would pass by
, another source reported.
Survivors and Predeceased
Her family knew her as Vico
, a source noted. Lupe married her husband, Joe on February 18, 1961, in Dallas, Texas
, the source added. The couple then moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where they raised their three daughters, Teresa, Lola, and Becky
, the source said. While living in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill neighborhood, Lupe regularly walked to the local co-op grocery store and was known fondly by many of the co-op workers and her neighbors
, another source reported. In 2017 she relocated to the Village of Alameda where she formed deep friendships within her newfound community, where she was beloved both by the staff and fellow residents
, the source added.
Additional Community Ties
Neudecker’s community involvement extended beyond her volunteer work. After volunteering at public schools, she was hired as a teacher’s aide and later worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrator. She also volunteered extensively with the Girl Scouts and the Los Alamos Historical Museum
, a source stated. After they retired, Lupe and Joe split their time between Los Alamos and Albuquerque, home of their children’s families, and retained strong ties in both communities
, the source noted. She was quick and adept at striking up a conversation and making friends. She was sharp, captivating, strong, and resilient
, another source said. Her favorite color was turquoise, followed closely by pink and yellow; and her answer to the question, “Red or green?” was a resounding red
, the source added.
