Dora Alicia Velasco Sample

Dora Alicia Velasco Sample, born April 12, 1926 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, daughter of Jose Velasco Marquez and Maria Ortuno Velasco Marquez, became the beloved wife of Thomas B. Sample and mother of John R. Sample, grandmother of Kyle J. Sample and mother-in law of Irene Tolentino, aunt of Lilly Upshaw, Susanna Trimble, Carla Velasco, Alberto, Ruth, Sonia and Cynthia Suarez, David Caballero, Eduardo, Ruth and Antonio Velasco, passed away on November 16, 2012 at the age of 86 years old.

Dora had a large family of 8 brother and sisters, Fanny Nora Suarez, Carmen Rosa Castro, Fernando Velasco, Maria Martha Velasco, Edith Olimpia Caballero, Maria Louisa Mendieta, Oscar Velasco and Bertha Alicia Velasco.

After completing high school in Cochabamba, she went on to study at the American Institute where she mastered her English and business skills. He father wanted her to work for charity but Dora instead found employment working on her own. She quickly gained recognition and was soon recruited to a new employer as an executive secretary. Wanting to continue her studies, her father urged her to attend the Sorbonne in Paris but again, Dora decided instead to study in America and made her way to Houston, Texas in 1959 where she met Thomas Sample, soon after she was married and had her son, John Robert. Beginning around 1964, the family began on a 25 year long journey of living and working abroad. Starting in Malta then onto Tripoli, Bogota, Singapore, Balikpapan, Palma De Mallorca and Anchorage while returning back to their home in Houston in-between. After moving back from Alaska in the late 80’s, Dora became a grandmother and settled into Houston before her Husband passed away. Her new live was filled with caring for her son and her grandson and giving much love to all that knew her. She was a master cook, seamstress, knitter and home maker and was a pretty good card player too. She spent much of her later years play bridge and hand and foot and meeting new friends.

Summarizing Dora’s life cannot be done a few paragraphs, nor can the feeling of her loss be felt. We heavily mourn the loss of her touch, the sound of her voice and laughter, the beam in her smile and the wonderful cooking she loved to do. Her desire to help others defined her. We are sad that she was unable to see her surviving sisters in Bolivia before she departed this world.

She is in a better place now rejoined in with her husband and free from aches and pains. She was blessed with many lifelong friends from all parts of the world. They will tell you what a loving and caring person Dora was to them. She will remain forever in our hearts.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, November 23, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77039.

God Bless you Mom, Grandma, Mamma Dearest…