Veronica Ann Stafford

Veronica Ann Stafford, age 66, passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022, in San Antonio, TX, surrounded by her loving family. Veronica was born on November 4, 1955, in Pasadena, TX, to parents, William Henry Fenlon and Florence Anna Seeburger Fenlon, who both preceded her in death. Veronica usually said she was born in Houston as she always saw the big picture, and, to her, the past was not what mattered. She focused in infinite detail on the present and felt that would take care of the future.

As a child Veronica saw much of the world as her father was a career military man. She at one time lived in Tripoli, Libya, North Africa, and saw parts of Europe many of us dream of seeing such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome and the Vatican. They moved to San Antonio in the mid-1960s and Veronica attended Theodore Roosevelt High School and graduated in 1973. Her post high school years were spent raising her daughter, Christine, and working two jobs until she finally settled into the legal field. In that arena her talents were a perfect fit.

Anyone who knew and worked with Veronica got to see first-hand her incredible organizational skills, a trait she passed on to her daughter, who works as a professional organizer, as well as Veronicas dedication to do whatever needed to be done and to do it the right way. She always did what needed to be done, no matter how hard it might be or if it was even her job to do. She took it upon herself to make sure it was done both right and timely. Veronica could not be lazy or procrastinate if she tried. She was always a whirlwind doing something as she could not sit still-unless it was to watch Hallmark movies, which would invariably result in her shedding a tear at the end. This was her approach to life as well-do what is right and do it early. A job well done would perfectly characterize her approach to work and life.

Her hobbies fit well with her personality as she loved to scrapbook and make wreaths despite difficulties brought on by rheumatoid arthritis. She was determined to not let it control her life or activities. She was meticulous about each detail she put into the scrapbooks and was quite rightly proud of how they showed her family She already started passing along her scrapping and wreath-making talents to her 5 year old great granddaughter, Anastasia, who was quickly taking to them. Veronica was amazed at how quickly Anni caught on and kept boxes of Annis artwork. She would page through the scrapbook and point out to each grandchild how they were only 5 or 6 years old in the photographs and then laugh at how grown up they had become.

Veronica would regularly go to retreats with her scrapping friends, of whom there were many, and had lined up a retreat for February where the others had not yet been. Veronica would always prepare what books or subjects she planned to work on well in advance, and yet she still took an SUV full of materials with her, just in case. Her home was full of over 50 scrapbooks that focused on a specific grandchild or vacation or her wedding. Her wreath making allowed her the joy of giving them to friends whenever the chance might arise. At her home she had a wreath for all seasons and holidays and this matched the seasonally appropriate decorations and table settings she set out. She once decorated an artificial "Christmas" Tree in the dining room for each holiday of the year. Just once though as it seemd lazy to her to leave it up all year long and this was more of a concession to her husband.

Of all the holidays, Veronica loved Christmas the most. Part of her love was the cooler weather. She loved the fall and winter seasons but had never gotten to experience them in full color or snow. She and her husband moved to Charlotte, NC in 2012 for that reason-four seasons and snow. They returned to San Antonio after four years but her love of North Carolina and her friends there remained. The real reason she so loved Christmas was that it was a time of giving. She also remembered the "reason for the season" that was lost in the commercialism of the "holiday".. She kept that message in her heart and soul year-round. She exemplified this giving spirit by buying meals or groceries for people who she thought appeared to need help or simply because they were in the military serving all of us. She once heard of two families who did not have Christmas Trees so she bought two trees and dropped them off anonymously. She firmly believed in giving without seeking recognition. Perhaps this was why she also loved the Angel Tree program where she could pick a boy and a girl and buy presents for them anonymously knowing it might make their Christmas a little happier.

Veronica would not fly anymore and would drive everywhere for vacation. She liked to listen to books on tape to pass the time or happily talking with everyone in the car. She loved to talk with her Mother-in-law on trips to the coast to learn about her prior life. Veronicas favorite place was the beach-not to sit out and be in the sun all day, but to walk on the beach and pick up sea shells; and, just sitting on the balcony listening to and looking at the waves. She already lined up a family vacation to the coast this summer, five months in advance, and that trip will be completed, just less joyful, as that is what she would have wanted. In addition to the beach Veronica loved to cook and bake, especially cookies with Anni, and would organize cookie decorating contests to be judged by her Mother-in-Law. She loved to shop with the grandchildren and just hang out with them. From her mother Veronica inherited a love for hummingbirds and had multiple feeders in the back yard. Her favorite bird was "Fred" and she would sit patiently waiting for him to appear.

The word love appears numerous times in this story of Veronica, unintentionally, but that seems to be the word that best described her. She cared deeply for her family and friends and always wanted what was best for them with no thought of what was best for her. The love of others was in her soul and in her actions as she talked the talk, tough talk sometimes, and unlike so many, she walked the walk. She truly led a life well lived.

Her family would like to thank all of those who kept us in their prayers and sent daily messages of encouragement and love. Some of these, actually many of these, had never met Veronica or Gordon but their love and prayers were felt by the family, who prays these blessings are returned tenfold to those who sent them or lifted them up in prayer.

Veronica is survived by her husband, Gordon O. Stafford, Jr.; her daughter, Christine Anne Satterfield; her grandsons, Nathen Ray Bonilla and Jayden Ray Satterfield; her great-granddaughter, Anastasia Michelle Bonilla; her brother, Michael Paul Fenlon (Kathleen); and numerous loving in-laws, nephews and close friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

CHURCHILL BAPTIST CHURCH

12400 VISTA VIEW ST.

Pastor Neil Bennett will officiate. Interment to follow at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery.