Mary Louise Vela

Mary Louise Vela, of Longmont, Colorado, died June 15, 2008 in Firestone, Colorado. She was 83.Mary was born October 30, 1924, in Ft. Lupton, Colorado, to Matias Jose Rodriguez and Severa Vasquez Rodriguez. The family moved to a farm east of Longmont when she was a young girl.Mary married Victor Vela on November 16, 1946, in Longmont. Due to a blizzard, the wedding was consummated following their reception on November 18.Mary worked by her husband in his business, assisting as bookkeeper. She was a wonderful homemaker, providing for her children and later, many grandchildren. After her children left home, she worked a number of different jobs before joining the YMCA, working in the day care for a number of years.An avid sportswoman, she played a number of sports growing up. She enjoyed watching sports on television, especially baseball. However, her greatest joy was watching her son and later, all of her grandchildren's athletic endeavors. Preceding her in death were her husband; sisters, Josephina Ledesma and Esther Rodriguez; and brothers, Pete, Jacinto, Ray Larry, and Tony Rodriguez.Surviving are her daughters, Consuelo (Ruben) Delval of Longmont, Dolores (Samuel) Price of Ft. Collins, Christy (Royce) Glosser of Firestone, Victoria (Arthur) Moreno of Longmont, Dorothy (John) LeRoux of Mead, and Margaret (Charlie) Patrick of Longmont; a son, Richard Vela of Firestone; a brother, Leo (Dolores) Rodriguez of Longmont; three sisters, Julia (Tony) Montour of Lafayette, Mary Emma (Blaine) Mahana of Greeley, and Sister Maria Regina Rodriguez of Sterling; 20 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.Visitation will be held at Howe Mortuary, Longmont, on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A vigil service will follow at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Mortuary with Deacon Michael Berens officiating. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 19, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Longmont, with The Reverend Servando Navarro as Celebrant. Interment will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver.Contributions may be made to Family Hospice, 1790 30th St., Suite 308, Boulder, CO 80301 or the American Cancer Society, 6857 Paiute Ave. Niwot, CO 80503.Please share thoughts, memories and condolences with the family at www.howemortuary.com.