Interviewer
Korina Garcia
Project
Stories from the Chamizal Library
Summary of Interview
Guadalupe Luna shares about growing up in the Guardian Angel area of South El Paso.
This area has always been a close-knit community, based on family, religion, and culture. Luna went to the Guardian Angel Catholic School from pre-K to 8th grade and participated in many of the Catholic traditions and customs that were part of this community. Luna talked about many of the stores and businesses that were part of her everyday life and helped to develop a sense of community among neighbours through Nava’s grocery store, attending church bazaars, and enjoying dining at the many restaurants and recreational events that took place in the surrounding area.
Luna talks a lot about how much of an emotional toll creating new buildings has taken on neighborhoods. She understands how some people feel this is an example of progress, but she is saddened by the fact that the Guardian Angel school has been demolished, and even though she doesn't go back to her old neighborhood, she has a hard time being able to see empty lots and completely different spaces. Her memories of her childhood are very connected to her parents, in particular her mother. The last time she went back to her old neighborhood was for her mother's funeral at the church, so this is very much a personal connection for her, and it also represents her roots, who she is, and what she believes in.
Luna's upbringing and family history are highlighted in this work. Her father was a veteran of World War II from the St. Ignatius area, and her mother was raised between El Paso and Chicago before returning to the border area to be with her family. The way her mother and father raised her has helped form her ambitions and made her independent and determined to achieve educational goals. She later became a special education teacher, which was influenced by the compassion and sense of community that she learned as a child in her neighborhood. Luna notes that as she thinks about losing people, getting older, and dealing with her personal challenges, the Chamizal area, specifically the Guardian Angel area, is the area where her character was developed and has provided her with resilience and lifelong ties to family and the community.
Date of Interview
4-10-2026
Length of Interview
1:17:04
Transcript Number
1837
Length of Transcript
16 pages
Transcriber
Guadalupe Luna
Interview Number
1837
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Guadalupe Luna by Korina Garcia, 2026, "Interview No. 1837," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.