Born in Laredo, Texas, Consuelo relocated with her family to Brownsville in the early 1950s. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Yvonne Wilson Silva ("Tony"), of Long Beach, Calif.; two sisters, Rosa Vela Parra (Adalberto) of Pembroke Pines, Fl., and Gloria DeAnda of Del Rio, Tx.; three grandchildren, Kelly Aguiar, Randall Meier, and Alyssa Meier; three great-grandsons, Vincent "Vinnie" Aguiar, Ozzy Godbold, and Joaquin Lopéz, all residing in Long Beach, Calif. and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Consuelo Vela, her husband, Melquiades Pineda, and a nephew, Carlos Parra.
Chelito will be dearly remembered for her vivacious personality, a beacon of warmth who cherished lively conversations and expressed her thoughts through beautifully handwritten letters, often filled with advice and prayers invoking blessings from the Holy Spirit. She delighted in the culinary arts, generously sharing her favorite recipes and kitchen wisdom with her daughter and grandchildren. A skilled seamstress, she created enduring memories by crafting her sister Rosa's wedding gown. Her love for gardening was a testament to her nurturing spirit.
In her youth, Chelito's passion for music led her to join Brownsville High School's choir and other local choral groups. Her voice was a reflection of her joyous spirit and she delighted in serenading others with her favorite songs well into her eighties. She also pursued her academic ambitions, graduating from Brownsville High School and Pan American University with a degree in Elementary Education. For decades, she imparted knowledge and kindness as an educator at Longoria and Putegnat Elementary Schools in Brownsville until her retirement in the 1990s.
Funeral services in loving memory of Maria Consuelo Vela Pineda will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista & Buena Vista Burial Park. A Rosary will commence at 9am, followed by a Chapel Service at 10am and Graveside Service at 11am. Attendees are welcome to wear colorful attire in celebration of the joyful spirit and memories of Chelito.
