Elena Vela

Retired lifetime educator and William B. Travis High School principal, Elena Vela 73, left this world on Good Friday, April 02, 2021 in her South Austin home. Elena was a trailblazer of education and equality for all. Her legacy as an educator lives on in the thousands of lives she touched during her thirty six year tenure with Austin ISD. After her formal retirement as an educator, Elena continued to serve as teacher and mentor for hundreds in Austin.

Elena was born February 01, 1948 in Laredo, TX to Ambrosio Jr. and Maria Del Socorro Vela. She was the fourth of eight children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ambrosio Jr. and Maria Del Socorro Vela; her brothers, Armando and Raul Vela; her sisters, Maria Luisa V. Ramirez and spouse Jose Javier, Irma V. Trevino and spouse, Jose and their children, Annalaura, and Clarissa and sister, Laura Vela.

She is survived by twin brothers, Alberto (Irma) Vela, Nephew, Alberto Jr. (Majorie) and Alfredo (Rosie) Vela, Nephew, AJ (Bell) Vela, and Christian Vela, Niece, Bianca Vela; Niece, Gina (Hugo) Sanchez, Grand Nephew, Alejandro G. Sanchez; Nephew, Lt. Colonel Gabriel (Marcia) Ramirez; Sister-in-Law, Juanita Vela (Raul), Nephew, Raul (Adriana) Vela, Niece, Claudia Vela-Leal (Ernie); Niece, Marissa (Rodolfo) Morales, Grand Nephew, Rudy Morales, Grand Niece, Selena M. Lewis, lifetime best friend, Maria Isabel Cortez, and other loved family members and friends.

Elena graduated in 1966 from Martin High School in Laredo, TX. She was awarded a Bachelor’s of Education from Texas A&I University in Kingsville in 1971 and a Masters of Education from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos in 1975.

Elena’s lifetime commitment to education was all with the AISD. She began her career in 1971 as a Physical Education (PE) teacher at Brentwood Elementary. In 1975, Elena was hired as a History teacher and Assistant coach at McCallum High School. In 1976, Elena became the Dean of Girls at William B. Travis High School. She was later an Assistant Principal at Travis HS from 1976 - 1984. In 1984 Elena became the First Hispanic Woman Principal of a High School in Austin, Texas. She served as Principal of William B. Travis from 1984-1996. In 1996 Elena moved to a position at the AISD central office where she served as an Administrative Supervisor over the Department of Professional Development. Elena completed her career with Austin ISD in the capacity of Human Resources Coordinator at CAC from 1999-2007.

Elena received many accolades during her tenure at the Austin ISD including Administrator of the Year by Texas Association of Journalism Educators in 1985; Texas Industrial Vocational Association - Outstanding Administrator Award - 1986; City of Austin, Elena Vela Day May 30, 1986; A+ Principal of the Year by Austin Adopt a School Program - 1987; Danforth Fellowship National Award - 1988; Top Ten Outstanding Women Leaders in Austin - 1990; Texas Association of Secondary School Principals - Outstanding Principal - High School 1992-93; Austin ISD - Hispanic Heritage Award 1993 Friend of Education Award; 1976-1996, 20 yrs of service - William B. Travis High School National Association of Secondary School Principals 1984-1996; The State of Texas Honors William B. Travis HS - Texas Mentor School; AISD - Common Bonds Diversity Program recognized as a “Promising Practice” by President Bill Clinton’s Race Initiative, November 1998. University of Texas at Austin, Phi Delta Kappa, Chapter President 2008-2010.

After retiring, she continued educating and mentoring in the Austin community. She was an active member and President of the University of Texas at Austin, Phi Delta Kappa. An Associate of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Catholic Daughters of America, Adult ESL teacher, Bible Study Teacher/Facilitator/Attendee, CRHP Participant, and Eucharistic Minister of the Eucharist at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church.

Visitation 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, 126 W. Oltorf St. Austin, Texas with Recitation of the Holy Rosary to begin at 6:30 pm.

Funeral Mass 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church, 126 W. Oltorf St. Austin, Texas.

A public graveside burial service will be held in the family plot in the Laredo City Cemetery, 3200 N. Meadow Ave, in Laredo, Texas at 10:00 am on Thursday, April 15, 2021.

Pallbearers will be: Alberto Vela, Alfredo Vela, Lt. Col. Gabriel Ramirez, Alejandro Sanchez, Raul Vela Jr., Rudy Morales Jr.

You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/elena-vela-10135641

In lieu of flowers, the Vela family requests memorial contributions be made in her name for the Austin Retired Teachers - “ARTA Foundation Fund” ℅ Linda Harvey, Treasurer, P.O. Box 143483, Austin, Texas 78714. The ARTA Foundation Fund awards 14 High School Scholarships to deserving high school seniors in each of the Austin ISD High Schools. Elena’s mantra was education for all so that young people can achieve their fullest potential. Your donation keeps her legacy alive.

A very special thank you to Irma Trevino, Beatriz Negrete and Mary Alice Castillo for providing such amazing caregiving for Elena. Thank you Frances Miller Martinez, Jessica Balandran, Rosa Pena, Father John, and Duve Rodriguez for assisting in the organization of Elena’s Celebration of Life.