Emilia Julia Heredia

Julia Emilia Correa Heredia, passed away peacefully on Friday, the 19th of May 2017, surrounded by family and dear friends. She was born on the 10th of July 1938, in Bogota, Colombia. In 1959, she moved to the United States to marry her beloved husband, Manuel. They were married in Miami at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church then moved to South Bend, Indiana while Manuel attended Notre Dame. They enjoyed 58 years together, living a life full of love and family.

Emilia graduated from Esclavas del Sangrado Corazon in 1957. She later attended Baylor College of Medicine to train in Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology so that she could become a medical translator. She was a devoted parishioner of Holy Ghost Catholic Church and then St. Thomas More Catholic Church. She worked for many years in social service ministry at St. John Vianney Catholic Church helping families in the local community. She was most passionate about her job as dedicated mother and wife. She loved music, dancing, poetry, watercolor and ceramic painting, calligraphy, playing castanets and spending time with her many dear friends. She lived gracefully with Parkinson’s Disease for 25 years and as part of her therapy, she discovered a love of dancing the tango.

Emilia is predeceased by her parents Alfredo and Emilia Correa. She is survived by her devoted husband Manuel, children Maria Edie (son-in-law Tom Edie), Manuel Heredia Jr (daughter-in-law Lisa Heredia), Gerardo Heredia (daughter-in-law Angela Heredia) and 8 grandchildren Emily, Olivia, Michael and Mary Edie, Brianna and Michael Heredia, Diego and Gabriella Heredia. She also leaves behind siblings Fernando Correa, Humberto Correa, Alfredo Correa, Clara Correa Lesniak (brother-in-law Kenneth Lesniak) as well as numerous extended family both in the US and Colombia.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Maria Luisa and Ana Maria for their loving care. They would also like to thank the staff of Vantage Care Hospice who provided critical support in the final weeks of Emilia’s life.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 22nd of May, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary in honor of Emilia is to commence at seven o’clock.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 23rd of May, at St. Thomas the More, 10330 Hillcroft Street in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family suggest memorial contributions be directed to the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society (HAPS), 1475 Gray Street, Houston, Texas 77019 or the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway #1509, New York, New York 10018.

“There are angels all around me. They do not have wings, they do not have halos. They are my friends. They are my family.” - Emilia Heredia’s private diary