Connie Maldonado

Connie Maldonado was born to Donaciano Velasquez and Elizabeth Soto-Velasquez on December, 7, 1925 in Ray, Arizona. She had 5 siblings, Jose (d), Tony (d), Mary, Victor and Marsha. Connie attended schools in southern California. Ever popular and a social butterfly, Connie was voted prom queen at Lincoln High School in Los Angeles and graduated in 19 43. Charismatic and cutie pie Connie met the dashing and charismatic Harry O. Maldonado (d). Connie and her first two children, Donald Sanchez (d) and Richard Sanchez (d) were loved by Harry. The happy couple shared wedded bliss. During this marriage, Connie and Harry had 5 children: Irene Maldonado, Harry Jr. Maldonado (d), and Larry Maldonado. Connie was a wonderful mother, always looking out for her kids – ready to put her dukes up to anyone who dared cross her kids! The couple and their children settled down in East Los Angeles, California and became known throughout the area. Everyone who was anyone knew Connie, Harry and their kiddos.

Connie, Harry and the kids were always the life of the family parties. They attended as many shindigs as possible. She loved to dance and sing and always had a juicy story to tell everyone! Connie loved going shopping ! Early on it was J.J Newberry’s, then Zodys. Of late, Kmart, Target and Walmart were top on her list for “lookie-looing”, her favorite past-time. Food was a passion of Connie’s. She frequented many of the local eateries in East Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods. Harry drove, then it was either by bus or with a good old-fashioned walk Tilly’s and Tommy’s Restaurant were among her favorite eateries. As for what she brought to family picnics: it had to be yummy tamales from, the “famous” Tamales Lilliana’s on Lorena and 1st Street. Connie accepted Jesus into her life and would go to church whenever she could, She took her spiritual values seriously and tried to live her life as God would have wanted her to. She instilled the word of god into her children’s life and anyone who came in contact with her knew that God lived in her heart.

When Connie’s beloved Harry got sick, Connie and Irene would walk down to East Los Angeles Doctor’s Hospital to have dinner with Harry.

Connie became a grandmother and she relished that role with great pride and love. She was a loving , kind, and generous grandmother who protected her grandkids with the ferocity of a tigress! She was a wonderful female role model to her grandchildren. Connie’s oldest son, Donald, was married twice and gave Connie 4 grandchildren: Donna, David, Donald, and Amy.