Maria Velasquez

Maria Magdalena Sosa Velasquez was born to migrantBRfarm workers in Altus, Oklahoma in 1937. MariasBRparents Martin and Maria Linares Sosa stressed the importanceBRof education. As a girl, Maria entered elementaryBRschool despite only being able to speak Spanish.BRWhile seeking a degree in Political Science and English,BRMaria found the time to teach ESL English as a SecondBRLanguage to adults studying for a GED andorBRNaturalization Exams. All who knew MariaBRwhether friend or foe, knew the generosity of her heart,BRher sharp mind and youthful wit. Maria was an ardentBRfighter against injustices no matter the venue and noBRmatter the difficulty. She was a grassroots activist, butBRshe was also an educator. Maria worked for A.I.S.D. asBRa Counselor and as a Substitute Teacher. She loved toBRengage the young minds in our community. Even afterBRreceiving her college degree, Maria never slowed in herBRstudies. If she wasnt writing a guest column for the AbileneBRReporter News, or speaking in the City CouncilBRchambers, she was reading. She touched so manyBRpeople and will always be known as an activist for theBRdisadvantaged and disenfranchised regardless ofBRrace, class color or creed. She was President of LULACBRLeague of United Latin American Citizens, andBRmember of the local NAACP, board member of M.E.T.BRMotivation, Education and Training, worked with HeadBRStart, volunteer for Meals on Wheels, volunteer clerkBRfor St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, and was a Girl ScoutBRLeader. She worked with Legal Aid and spent manyBRhours researching Labor Laws. Maria also worked as aBRtranslator with the Taylor County Courts. Maria ran forBRJustice of the Peace in 1976 and Taylor County Clerk inBR1978. Another one of Marias accomplishments was theBRrenaming of South Park to Cesar Chavez Park in recognitionBRof Chavez importance to the Hispanic community.BRShe became self-taught in many areas and subjects as aBRby-product of trying to help others. Maria often did theBRimpossible and did it with style, humility and laughter.BRIn recognition of her service and accomplishments theBRAbilene Hispanic Leadership Council planted a tree in herBRhonor in Sears Park. Mara is survived by herBRhusband Oscar Velasquez, who works at BMC AbileneBRLumber and who has been an Election Judge in TaylorBRCounty for many years. Oscar and Maria moved to AbileneBRin 1955. They were married for over 51 years andBRsent their 5 children to colleges and UniversitiesBRaround the state. Lee Lucian Velasquez worked as aBRrespiratory therapist for Hendricks and Abilene RegionalBRHospitals. Nancy Velasquez Williams works inBRAustin in the high tech industry. John Velasquez,BRPhD., is a Clinical psychologist, and a tenured professorBRat the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio.BRKristina Velasquez Witosky earned a Masters DegreeBRfrom the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and works for theBRTransportation Security Administration in Raleigh,BRNorth Carolina. Peter Velasquez graduated from theBRUniversity of Texas at Austin and has carried on MariasBRdedication to electoral politics, by working for theBRTravis County Elections Division. They carry on herBRconvictions of service, charity and volunteerism.BRMaria will be missed by her sons- and daughters-in-lawBRMichael Williams, Katherine Serna Velasquez,BRMatthew Witosky, and Stacy Robarts. Maria will live onBRin her 8 grandchildren, Bryce Anderson, Emily Anderson,BRJustin Velasquez, George Velasquez, Samantha Velasquez,BRCharles Witosky, Willem Witosky, and CurranBRVelasquez. She will be dearly missed by her belovedBRnieces Rayes Flores and Anita Flores who helped her inBRmany ways over the years, and who stood by her withBRthe rest of her family in her final days. May God bless her for allBRher work for peace, justice, and charity. She was indeedBRa vessel of God and embodiment of Christs mission toBRfeed the poor, house the homeless, befriend theBRfriendless and to love your enemy. We hope that the manyBRpeople who received her help or were touched by herBRkindness please consider a donation to the Noah Project.BRA memorial mass will be celebrated in Marias honorBRat St. Vincent Catholic Church at 11:00 Saturday,BRAugust 15, 2009, later in the day at 2:00 PM a celebrationBRof Marias life will be at Elmwood Funeral on Hwy 277.BRThe public is welcome to come to the memorial.cessation quit smokingcps in the eyescheated yeah yeah

Service

Funeral Mass

St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church
2525 Westview Dr.
Abilene, TX  79603
Saturday, August 15, 2009
11:00 AM

Memorial Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, August 15, 2009
2:00 PM

Memorial Contributions

1636 N 20th St
Abilene, TX  79601