Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, February 3rd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Chapel) in Conroe, Texas. Visitation will be at 9:30 am with rosary recited at 10 am and Funeral Mass immediately following rosary. Interment will follow at Bryan City Cemetery, Bryan, Texas.
Gertrude was born on February 21, 1939 to Thaddeus John Zabava and Victoria Budzisz Zabava in New Waverly, Texas. She married Anthony M. Velasquez on February 27, 1960 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Waverly. She was a devout Catholic and a member of the Catholic Daughters where she served as a former Vice Regent. She met her future husband at a dance hall in New Waverly where “Tony” was singing in the band. Tony met Gertrude through her best friend and for the next 62 years they were in separable. Gertrude and Tony traveled all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean’s, and the Bahamas. She retired from Krogers after many years of working in the deli, where she was known as “The Sheriff”!
She loved celebrating Birthday parties, Christmases and Easter with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially loved celebrating her wedding anniversaries and all other celebratory occasions with so many of her family members.
She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Christina Zabava and Sophia Zabava, Valerie (Richard) Maneely, Clara (Albert) Isabell, Steve (Polly) Zabava, Margaret (Bill) Toepfer, Stella Bischel, Dorothy Dames; granddaughter, Lillia (Velasquez) Gonzalez.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years in marriage, Anthony M. Velasquez; Sister: Virginia Lancaster; brother: Anthony Zabava; Daughters: Christine (Carl) Orozco, Andrea (Randy) Montes, Brenda (Tim) Coomes; Son: GySgt Dennis (Nancy) Velasquez USMC retired. Grandchildren: Stephen, David, Candace, Katie, Ryan, Amber, Chase: Great Grandchildren: Paisley, Mark, Ava, Aubrielle and one on the way.
She will be missed by numerous family members, nieces, nephews and friends with whom she remained close to throughout the years.
Pallbearers will be Grandchildren: Stephen Orozco, David Orozco, Ryan Coomes, Chase Coomes; Nephews: David Lancaster and Andrew Velasquez. Honorary Pallbearers will be Grandchildren: Katie Montes, Amber Montes, Candace Coomes; Great Grandchildren: Paisley Coomes, Mark Orozco, Ava Montes, Aubrielle Gonzalez.
The family would like to give a special thanks and appreciation to Jill and Jenny of Comforts of Aging and Bayou City Hospice who both lovingly cared for Mrs. Gertrude!
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.metcalffuneraldirectors.com for the Velasquez family.
