Marabel Renita Velez

Marabel Renita Tupua was born on April 1, 1985, in Faga’alu, American Samoa, the third child to her Father, Faulalo Fa’amama Tupua and Mother, Moana Nickel Tupua. In 1987, the family uprooted from American Samoa to Hawaii following the birth of her younger sister, Tatiana.

Affectionately called Mara by family and friends, she grew up in Waipahu, Hawaii, and graduated from Waipahu High School in 2003. Immediately after graduation, Mara decided to join the U.S. Army as an 88 Mike, Motor Transport Operator. She completed both Basic and Advanced Individual Training in 2004 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; followed by her first duty station at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Throughout her nine-year military career, Mara was deployed once to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and 2 times to Iraq for over 27 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, she met Eduardo Velez in 2008, who later became her husband in 2010. Their dual-military marriage subsequently led them to relocate to Fort Carson, Colorado, where, in 2012 Mara eventually decided to conclude her active military obligations to begin a family and pursue her career as a civil servant with the Department of Defense.

On June 7, 2013, Mara and Eduardo welcomed their daughter, Saraiah Rosalei Velez, who instantly became the heart and soul of her mother.

By 2018, the Velez family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, and decided the Alamo City was to be their permanent home.

On October 2, 2020, Mara & Eduardo became grandparents to Giana Amor Quilici.

Before she passed, Mara made great strides in her education, earning a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in accounting & business administration from The University of Phoenix. Additionally, in her most recent government position she served as an Acquisitions Program Manager for the Department of the Air Force.

Mara’s biggest dreams in life surrounded Saraiah, and the life she and Eduardo hoped for their daughter. Family was everything to Mara, and her quest to relocate her entire family to San Antonio always remained near the top of her priority list. Mara had regular video conferences with her siblings Michelle, Tiana, Ray, and Richard to catch up on their day, talk to her nieces & nephews or just to see their smiling faces.

In her down time, Mara enjoyed playing volleyball, water & outdoor sports, working out, traveling, finding trendy breakfast spots around San Antonio, and most of all spending quality time with family and friends, particularly Raiah, GiGi, Brooky, nieces and nephews. Mara was always ready to attend their sporting events, celebrate their milestones, or just be the “cool aunty” who would give a listening ear.

Mara is survived by her husband and their four children, granddaughter, her parents, siblings, and a plethora of extended family, close friends, and colleagues.

The Velez Family will be receiving guests for Mara on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 N Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232, a celebration of life ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM. At the conclusion of the chapel service, there will be a funeral procession with police escorts to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for the committal service at 2:00 PM.