Congressman Vela Makes A Statement On The Passing Of His Mother, Mrs. Blanca Vela
“Today, I am saddened that my mother, Blanca Sanchez Vela, passed away at her home in Brownsville, Texas,” said Congressman Filemon Vela. “My mother provided a loving home and a strong upbringing for her three children: Sylvia, Ralph and myself. She deeply loved my father, the late Filemon Vela, and supported him during his career as an attorney and a Federal judge. Later in life, she was blessed by six grandchildren each of whom she loved dearly.”
“My mother not only loved her family, she loved the Brownsville community and worked to make Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley a much better place. She served on the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (PUB) and co-founded the Brownsville Public Library Foundation. She became the first female Mayor of Brownsville, when she was elected in 1999. My parents’ commitment to public service encouraged me to run for elected office. I am blessed to have had her in my life for 51 years.”
A Rosary honoring Mrs. Vela will be held this Friday, February 21, 2014 at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78520 at 7:00 PM.
The Funeral will be held Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 1055 Military Rd, Brownsville, TX 78520 at 10:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Blanca and Filemon Vela Endowed Scholarship at the University of Texas at Brownsville:
Blanca and Filemon Vela Endowed Scholarship
c/o The University of Texas at Brownsville
One West University Blvd., Cueto Building
Brownsville, TX 78520
Contact information:
Laurie Howell at 956-882-4334 or Laurie.Howell@utb.edu or
Rita Garza at 956-882-4161 or Rita.Garza@utb.edu