Vera Joyce Delgado

For eighty-seven years the Lord blessed us on earth with Vera Delgado and on January 11, 2024, he called her home. Vera loved being a caring mother, Nana, aunt, sister, sister-in-law, friend, and so much more to the many that were fortunate enough to know and love her.

Vera was born on January 19, 1936, in Braintree, Essex, England. She was the only girl among nine children born to Horace and Minnie Beavis. It was here in Braintree that she met and married the love of her life, Joe Delgado. Joe was a young Airman at the time assigned to RAF Weathersfield and originally from San Antonio, Texas. They shared fifty-eight years together and from that long, loving relationship they had four children: Nigel, Neville, Anthony and Annette.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, seven of her eight brothers, her husband Joe and son Neville. She is survived by her brother Jasper Beavis and sister-in-law Carol; sons Nigel (Lynn), and Anthony (Marianne), and her daughter Annette (J.C.) Tscheulin. Also surviving her are her grandchildren Amanda (Joshua) Lien, Ryan (Kayla) Sweeney, Evan Delgado, Jenna Delgado, Joshua Tscheulin, and Jaxon Tscheulin. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Vera was loved and appreciated by many, but none more so than her immediate family. Her husband and children would be the first to tell anyone that they had the best wife and mother--bar none. Before she shared her many gifts outside her home, she lovingly and caringly devoted herself to her husband and children. Few could challenge her culinary skills. Even the best of chefs is challenged with preparing a more delicate and tasty Yorkshire pudding that could rival hers. Joe knew what a gem he had in Vera and would often share with his co-workers her delicious, homemade jam buns—a tasty pastry treat you would be hard challenged to find anywhere in Texas. The wonderful aromas emanating from the kitchen were not always those from her native England.

Her husband Joe, whose family has been in San Antonio since its founding, was raised within the immediate west side of downtown San Antonio and appreciated his native Tex-Mex cuisine. Vera made the best tasting fresh, hot-off-the-griddle, homemade tortillas which were always served alongside the most delicious meals. Whether it was bowls of calabacitas con puerco (Mexican squash with pork), or the most delectable, tender carne guisada (beef stew with gravy), Vera’s Tex-Mex dishes could rival any others found in San Antonio. Joe’s maternal aunt and uncle, who visited regularly, would often comment on how much they appreciated, and were surprised by, Vera’s expert Tex-Mex cooking.

Faith in God was important to Vera, and she nurtured that faith and cared for the religious and spiritual needs of her family. She knew and appreciated how important the Catholic faith was to her husband Joe. Originally a member of the Church of England, Vera sought out and completed the educational and sacramental requirements to become a member of the Catholic parish. For decades she attended Catholic services at Randolph Air Force Base where she was recognized by the parish many times for her selfless volunteer work.

Vera was also a caregiver outside of her home. For about twenty years Vera shared her culinary skills at Orange Goose School, a daycare center in Universal City, Texas, where she prepared countless fresh meals and tasty snacks for the many rooms full of young kids. She then challenged herself by training and becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant where she worked for another twenty years caring for the elderly at the nursing home in Windcrest, Texas.

Vera enjoyed having fun, being among others, and the beauty of nature. For many years her and Joe belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles bowling league. There, her and Joe met special friends Alice and Joe Aguilar who served as her sponsors when she obtained her U.S. citizenship. She appreciated and was always entertained at the countless CASI chili cookoffs she attended in the past forty years. She also never turned down an opportunity to be outdoors. Whether walking trails, camping, or finding “treasures” geocaching with her children and grandchildren, she appreciated the beauty in nature. Vera also loved knitting and crocheting turning countless skeins of yarn into lap blankets or beanie hats that she donated to several non-profit organizations in San Antonio serving those in need.

Vera loved to travel. Her and Joe visited many places in the United States, often accompanied with their son Neville. She especially enjoyed her adventures with Annette and her family to picturesque places in Maryland, and both Carolinas. Vera often recounted her favorite trip to the Smokey Mountains where she talked about being able to see for miles. All her trips held a special place in her heart.

Vera also had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She captured all her activities on her calendar and time spent with “her babies” definitely got a mention. Whether it was weekend outings with her granddaughter Amanda and great-grandson Landon, trips to the zoo when her grandson Ryan visited, or getting stuck on the Hemisfair playground equipment playing tag with grands Evan and Jenna, she loved the time spent with “her babies”. She also enjoyed outings watching professional hockey with her grandsons Joshua and Jaxon or seeing them tear up the ice playing hockey. Watching her great-granddaughters grow and playing with them also brought a big smile to her face.

Donations to your charity of your choice in Vera's name are greatly appreciated.

Funeral Service for Vera will be held from 11:30am-12:15pm Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Rd., Universal City, Texas 78148 with Committal Service to follow from 1:15pm-1:35pm at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78209