Maria R. Vela

Linn-San Manuel, Texas Maria R. Vela passed away on Thursday, October 18th 2012, at Life Care Hospital-North surrounded by her loving family. Maria attended Edinburg schools, McAllen Business College, and Pan American College. She later pursued a career in cosmetology and graduated from Mr. Alfred's School of Beauty. She owned and operated Realistic Beauty Salon until the late 1990s. Concurrently, she was employed as a nurse aide at Edinburg Hospital, and later was employed by the Edinburg C.I.S.D. as a paraprofessional from which she retired in the late 1990s. Maria was known by her grandchildren and many others as "Nany." You could always find Nany with a radiant smile and singing her favorite tunes as she tended to her vibrant garden or entertained family and friends in her home. Nany was always ready to open her doors to family and friends to share whatever she had and most importantly to spend quality time with those she loved. Nany was known for her energetic spirit and quick wit. Ever the optimist, no challenge was ever too insurmountable for her. She was a generous and compassionate woman who believed in giving and sharing what she had. For many years, it was her custom to bake goods and deliver to shut-ins or those in need in her community on New Year's Day or any time there was someone in need. Nany always led the way by example for her family to follow. She was an active member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in San Manuel. She had a deep faith in God which she instilled in her children and shared with all of her family. Family and faith were of utmost importance to Nany. She loved to have her family together to celebrate holidays and just an ordinary Sunday. She was truly the heart of her family. Each day that the Lord gave her was a celebration. She left a legacy of faith, love, joy, and peace. She passed to eternal life surrounded by her loving family as a beautiful rain was falling and the song "On Eagles Wings" was being played and sung to her. As she believed, she was surely carried by the Lord to begin her eternal life with Him. She will be greatly missed, but will live on in the hearts of all those she touched. She is preceded in death by her parents, Miguel and Vicenta Cardenas, brother Bernardino Cardenas, grandson Louie Trevino, son in law Elliot Lapides and most recently on October 4, 2012, her daughter Virginia V. Vela. Survivors include Pablo Vela, Sr., her loving and devoted husband of 73 years, her children Pablo Vela, Jr. (Ester), Humberto Vela (Beatrice), Armando Vela (Nelda), Leonor V. Lapides (Elliot †), Nora Trevino (Johnny), and one brother Reynaldo Cardenas. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Aaron Vela, Humberto Vela, Jr., Marcos Vela, Omar P. Vela, Oscar Rene Vela, Armando Javier Vela, and David Lapides. Honorary Pallbearers will be granddaughters: Belinda V. Drabek, Rebecca Vela, Lisa T. Story, Judith V. Flesher, Catherine Trevino, and Stephani Lapides. The family thanks Dr. Ben Garza and the staff of Edinburg Nursing Center for their care over the years, as well as Dr. Maria Quintanar and the staff at Lifecare North, for being so compassionate and caring. Friends are cordially invited to attend a visitation with the family on Sunday, October 21st, 2012, between the hours of five o'clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock in the evening with a Rosary beginning at seven at Legacy Chapels, 4610 South Jackson Road in Edinburg. (956)-618-5900. A live webcast of the Rosary Service will be available at www.legacychapelsrgv.com. Funeral Mass will commence at ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, October 22nd, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park also located in Edinburg. Funeral Services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels of Edinburg, Texas. Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries