Gladys Velarde, at the age of 94, passed away on November 28, 2019 in Albuquerque, NM.
Gladys was born in Ft. Collins, CO to the late Dolores and Edith Ayala.
Gladys attended Albuquerque High School and graduated in 1944. Like many of her generation, she was fiercely patriotic and after graduating, Gladys, her sister and two girlfriends moved to Los Angeles to support the war effort, working as riveters and welders.
After the war, she married José Benny Velarde, a returning sailor and long-time friend. They were married until Benny passed away in 2001.
During her time in Albuquerque, Gladys touched the lives of countless families through her work as a teacher for the University of New Mexico. Gladys loved working with children until she retired at age 74! And she was proud of the Early Childhood classes she took at UNM in her 60s.
She was enthusiastic and energetic; students continued to visit her after they had children of their own. Gladys was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and a devout Guadalupana, opening her home to the community each year as a remarkable hostess and friend during the celebration of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, José Benigno Velarde, her son, Daniel Velarde and her grandson, Lucas Barela.
Gladys is survived by her three daughters, Antoinette Toni Barela, Sylvia and Cristina Velarde and her daughter‐in‐law, Loraine Velarde. Gladys will be sorely missed by 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Gladys was preceded in death by her brothers, George Ayala and Carmen Ayala and her sister Josie..
Gladys is survived by her brother, Johnny Ayala and sister, Pilar Chávez.
Services will be held on Saturday December 7, 2019 with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 820 Broadway Blvd. SE. A reception will follow at Loma Linda Community Center, 1700 Yale Blvd. SE..
The family would like to thank our community—not only for recent support—but for the fulfillment and joy that you added to the wonderful life of our beloved Mom and Gram.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gladys’ name to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) who’s mission is to end homelessness among veterans.
Gladys was born in Ft. Collins, CO to the late Dolores and Edith Ayala.
Gladys attended Albuquerque High School and graduated in 1944. Like many of her generation, she was fiercely patriotic and after graduating, Gladys, her sister and two girlfriends moved to Los Angeles to support the war effort, working as riveters and welders.
After the war, she married José Benny Velarde, a returning sailor and long-time friend. They were married until Benny passed away in 2001.
During her time in Albuquerque, Gladys touched the lives of countless families through her work as a teacher for the University of New Mexico. Gladys loved working with children until she retired at age 74! And she was proud of the Early Childhood classes she took at UNM in her 60s.
She was enthusiastic and energetic; students continued to visit her after they had children of their own. Gladys was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and a devout Guadalupana, opening her home to the community each year as a remarkable hostess and friend during the celebration of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, José Benigno Velarde, her son, Daniel Velarde and her grandson, Lucas Barela.
Gladys is survived by her three daughters, Antoinette Toni Barela, Sylvia and Cristina Velarde and her daughter‐in‐law, Loraine Velarde. Gladys will be sorely missed by 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Gladys was preceded in death by her brothers, George Ayala and Carmen Ayala and her sister Josie..
Gladys is survived by her brother, Johnny Ayala and sister, Pilar Chávez.
Services will be held on Saturday December 7, 2019 with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 820 Broadway Blvd. SE. A reception will follow at Loma Linda Community Center, 1700 Yale Blvd. SE..
The family would like to thank our community—not only for recent support—but for the fulfillment and joy that you added to the wonderful life of our beloved Mom and Gram.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gladys’ name to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) who’s mission is to end homelessness among veterans.
Gladys Velarde, at the age of 94, passed away on November 28, 2019 in Albuquerque, NM.
Gladys was born in Ft. Collins, CO to the late Dolores and Edith Ayala.
Gladys attended Albuquerque High School and graduated in 1944. Like many of her generation, she was fiercely patriotic and after graduating, Gladys, her sister and two girlfriends moved to Los Angeles to support the war effort, working as riveters and welders.
After the war, she married José Benny Velarde, a returning sailor and long-time friend. They were married until Benny passed away in 2001.
During her time in Albuquerque, Gladys touched the lives of countless families through her work as a teacher for the University of New Mexico. Gladys loved working with children until she retired at age 74! And she was proud of the Early Childhood classes she took at UNM in her 60s.
She was enthusiastic and energetic; students continued to visit her after they had children of their own. Gladys was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and a devout Guadalupana, opening her home to the community each year as a remarkable hostess and friend during the celebration of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, José Benigno Velarde, her son, Daniel Velarde and her grandson, Lucas Barela.
Gladys is survived by her three daughters, Antoinette Toni Barela, Sylvia and Cristina Velarde and her daughter‐in‐law, Loraine Velarde. Gladys will be sorely missed by 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Gladys was preceded in death by her brothers, George Ayala and Carmen Ayala and her sister Josie..
Gladys is survived by her brother, Johnny Ayala and sister, Pilar Chávez.
Services will be held on Saturday December 7, 2019 with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 820 Broadway Blvd. SE. A reception will follow at Loma Linda Community Center, 1700 Yale Blvd. SE..
The family would like to thank our community—not only for recent support—but for the fulfillment and joy that you added to the wonderful life of our beloved Mom and Gram.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gladys’ name to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) who’s mission is to end homelessness among veterans.
Gladys was born in Ft. Collins, CO to the late Dolores and Edith Ayala.
Gladys attended Albuquerque High School and graduated in 1944. Like many of her generation, she was fiercely patriotic and after graduating, Gladys, her sister and two girlfriends moved to Los Angeles to support the war effort, working as riveters and welders.
After the war, she married José Benny Velarde, a returning sailor and long-time friend. They were married until Benny passed away in 2001.
During her time in Albuquerque, Gladys touched the lives of countless families through her work as a teacher for the University of New Mexico. Gladys loved working with children until she retired at age 74! And she was proud of the Early Childhood classes she took at UNM in her 60s.
She was enthusiastic and energetic; students continued to visit her after they had children of their own. Gladys was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and a devout Guadalupana, opening her home to the community each year as a remarkable hostess and friend during the celebration of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, José Benigno Velarde, her son, Daniel Velarde and her grandson, Lucas Barela.
Gladys is survived by her three daughters, Antoinette Toni Barela, Sylvia and Cristina Velarde and her daughter‐in‐law, Loraine Velarde. Gladys will be sorely missed by 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Gladys was preceded in death by her brothers, George Ayala and Carmen Ayala and her sister Josie..
Gladys is survived by her brother, Johnny Ayala and sister, Pilar Chávez.
Services will be held on Saturday December 7, 2019 with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 820 Broadway Blvd. SE. A reception will follow at Loma Linda Community Center, 1700 Yale Blvd. SE..
The family would like to thank our community—not only for recent support—but for the fulfillment and joy that you added to the wonderful life of our beloved Mom and Gram.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gladys’ name to National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) who’s mission is to end homelessness among veterans.
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