Cristina Velasquez

On December 10th, 1959 Julia Contreras and Dr. Mario Vidal Chacon gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Julia Cristina Vidal in San Salvador, El Salvador. She was the youngest of two sisters and a brother, Loreley, Alma and Mario. A few years later the family welcomed two more sisters Ivonne and Monica. As a child she was shy and reserved. She kept to herself and loved to play with her dolls, but as she grew, she evolved into her outgoing and friendly self. She was the sun wherever she went. She was her family’s joy, they always wanted to be around her.

At the age of eighteen, at a party, she met the one and only love of her life Guillermo Antonio Velasquez. It was love at first sight.

They married in 1979 and a year after, they welcomed their first son Mario Guillermo Velasquez. In 1981 they immigrated to the United States where their family grew with the addition of two beautiful little girls Celeste Cristina Velasquez and Lijia Lurie Velasquez. She was family oriented and always made an effort to bring everyone together. Wherever she went she made friends and won the hearts of everyone. Her eldest daughter blessed her with two grandchildren Anthony and Ethan. She was the most loving grandmother.

Cristina had a zest for life, living every moment with excitement. She created a home that was warm and inviting for everyone to gather in. She loved holidays, because they served as a reason to decorate her home and have people around her. Everything and everyday was a celebration for her. At her family gatherings she always made sure everyone would have a great time. She was always the last person dancing.

One of Cristina’s most remarked qualities was the fierceness of her inner strength. When she was faced with the greatest trial of her life she accepted the lord and found comfort and strength in her faith. Her strong faith transcended all aspects of her, and in turn she instilled that same conviction upon her family.

She knew how to love life and that same love filled her with a sense of passion to fight and overcome any obstacle she faced. Cristina viewed life with a positive attitude. When it was cold, she enjoyed wearing her favorite scarves, when it was hot she loved to sit out in the sun, when it rained she took great pleasure in staying home cuddling up with her husband. She never complained, she created a sense of value with whatever life presented her with. She lived with a sense of dignity and honor. She lived undefeated by anything.