Velia de la Rosa Hernandez, 93, was called to Heaven by her Creator on 11 March 2017 after a brief hospice at home. She was a resident of Colorado Springs since June 2012 and was formerly a resident of Gainesville, Texas. Velia was a Registered Nurse for almost 40 years, but more importantly, she was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Velia was born on 15 January 1924 to José de la Rosa and Teresa (Alvarez) de la Rosa in Agujita, Coahuila, Mexico. She married Moses Andrade Hernandez on 30 December 1948 in Del Rio, Texas.
Velia completed her primary education in San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes due to her father being a Presbyterian minister. She completed her secondary studies in Aguascalientes and in 1941, at the age of 17, Velia relocated to Puebla, Pue, Mexico, and enrolled in the School of Nursing of the Hospital Latino Americano and graduated in February 1945.
Velia’s friends in Aguascalientes were Yolanda and Luz, and a dear friend, Ana González. While attending nursing school in Puebla, her friend was Betty Meadows, daughter of Dr. Feland Meadows, Director of the Hospital Latino Americano. Upon graduating from the School of Nursing in 1945, Velia moved to Mexico City and worked there as a Special Nurse in the English Hospital. Later that year, she went to Del Rio, Texas, and there she lived with her aunt, Librada Arriaga. In 1946, Velia moved to San Antonio where she lived with her aunt, Cármen, and worked in the Santa Rosa Hospital for over a year as an OB staff nurse, ER charge nurse and Out Patient charge nurse.
After 20 years in the hospital setting, Velia transitioned to the Texas Youth Commission detention system and continued her nursing career an additional 18 years in various detention facilities as an infirmary staff nurse.
Velia was fond of music – from classical to jazz to opera. One of her favorite performers was Luciano Pavarotti. She loved to sing in church and almost never needed the hymnal for the lyrics to hymns. Additionally, Velia re-discovered a dormant talent for water color painting and created several paintings that her family admires. While she worked diligently on Sudoku, Velia was driven to complete Word Search puzzle books. She also spent several hours at a time assembling jigsaw puzzles. Velia admired the local mountains, especially when covered with snow. Although her health limited her outdoor activities, Velia loved attending Air Force Academy indoor sports: men’s and women’s basketball and ice hockey where the popcorn was always a special treat. At home, she enjoyed watching football, especially the Broncos.
Velia is survived by her four children: Ed, René, Moses, Jr., and Eric James; six siblings: Míriam, Armando, Magdalena, Humberto, Abigaíl, and Alejandro; four grandchildren: Douglas, Daniel, Alex and Kyle. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband, Moses Hernandez; two brothers, Gilberto and Efraín; and sister, Genoveva.
A visitation and viewing will be held from 6 to 8pm, Monday, 20 March 2017, at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs.
On Tuesday, 21 March, a funeral ceremony will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, with a viewing from 12:00 to 12:30pm followed by a service beginning at 1:00pm. The Rev. Kent Ingram, senior minister at First United Methodist Church, will officiate.
A reception will follow the memorial service at First United Methodist Church.
Subsequent memorial services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 214 S. Denton St., Gainesville, Texas, and the Príncipe de Paz United Methodist Church, 404 W. Chapoy, Del Rio, Texas. Inurnment will be at the San Felipe Cemetery, Del Rio, Texas, alongside her late husband, Moses Hernandez.
Memorials in Velia Hernandez’ name may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs or if flowers are preferred, please contact “A Wildflower Florist”.