Blanca Sanchez Vela

Blanca Sanchez Vela, 77, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and community advocate passed away at her residence in Brownsville on February 19, 2014. She was born in Harlingen to Maria R. Cuca Sanchez and Luis M. Sanchez. She was married to the late United States Federal Judge Filemon B. Vela, who preceded her in death in 2004.

Blanca was elected the first female mayor of the City of Brownsville in 1999. As mayor, she was proud of having served those most in need in her community, especially the children. She was an ardent advocate of literacy, and worked hard as CoChair of the Brownsville Library Foundation to establish the first city library in Brownsville, and later established the Southmost branch. She was also an advocate for women, being the first female member and Chairwoman of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board where she encouraged the promotion of female engineers and managers. Her commitment to public service was evident through the many community organizations and philanthropies, which she generously supported with her time.

Blanca was a firm believer in education and obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degree from Pan American University. She continued to be active in community affairs and in local, state, and national politics. She also served as a counselor at St. Josephs Academy where she mentored many individuals who have gone on to become leaders in the community.

Blancas generosity was well known in the community. Together with her husband, both believed education transformed lives. Following her husbands death, she established the Vela Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Blanca and Filemon Vela Endowed Scholarship at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Blanca is survived by her children: Congressman Filemon Rose B. Vela, Jr., Rafael Vela, and Sylvia Vela her grandchildren: Alexandra, Carolina, Christian, Gaston, Zaylee, and Brynlee her siblings: Luis Emma Sanchez, Jr., Socorro Roberto Galvan, Arturo Sanchez, Maria de Jesus Crispin Guzman, Hector Bonnie Sanchez, Irma Ruben Sanchez Pea, Roy Nelda Sanchez, and Mary Louise Jerry Prepejchal and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Mrs. Vela will lie in state starting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21st. The family will start receiving friends at 4:00 p.m. with the recitation of the holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening in the East Chapel at Darling Mouser Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22nd at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1055 Military Highway, where Father Larry Klein will celebrate the Mass of Resurrection.

Blancas nephews: Robert Sanchez, Jaime Guzman, Jay Sanchez, Luis Sanchez, Roque Pea, and Zachary Martinez are honored to be serving as Blancas pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be her dear friends whom she affectionately referred to as the Divas, Paquita Chavez, Lupita Rivera, Nina Barbosa, and Sally Arroyo.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial donations in Blancas name be made to the Blanca and Filemon Vela Endowed Scholarship in care of the University of Texas Brownsville at One West University Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78520.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, February 21, 2014
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, February 21, 2014
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

Our Lady of Good Counsel
1055 Military Hwy.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, February 22, 2014
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

c/o The University of Texas @ Brownsville
Brownsville, TX  78520