Cecilia Velez (Ceci) September 6, 1933 - September 23, 2026.

Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. Graduated nursing school in 1953. Married Alejandro Velez in 1963.

Despite growing up in a boarding school without her mother, whom she lost at a young age, she instinctively knew exactly how to be a deeply protective, nurturing, and devoted mother. She was a good mother, an exemplary wife, and a loyal friend. Cecilia was married to the love of her life for more than 50 years, spending most of those years in the United States. She however, never lost touch with her family who remained in Colombia. As a young girl she spent many weekends living in her aunt’s and uncle’s homes becoming very close with her cousins, who she always adored and kept in touch with, inviting them to visit her and always traveling back with suitcases loaded with gifts for her beloved Colombian family.

Cecilia was a brave and adventurous nurse who spent most of her twenties traveling around Colombia, including the Amazon Jungle, administering vaccines and assisting with child births. In her late twenties, she courageously moved to New York City to work as a nurse in Manhattan. It was there, in an English language class, that she met her husband, Alejandro, leading to a lifetime of adventure- including a legendary move/ honey moon on a cargo ship from Colombia to New York City- and the joy of raising their three children.

After her third child, she found the nursing hours challenging and so she dedicated herself to creating a wonderful home for her children and husband in New Jersey. She was genuinely crafty and handy, she could sew a perfect Halloween costume, knit a beautiful sweater, and cook up a feast for thirty people - all with a glass of wine seamlessly balanced in her hand. She was stubborn, lively, and delightfully “naughty” as she liked to believe. Family lore fondly recalls her locking her grandmother out of the house and playfully bullying her older brother, Jorge. She was a beloved “Tia” to his children and grandchildren. Quite opinionated and not easily pleased, she was known for her brutal honesty- like the time a friend learning to cook prepared a meal for her, and Cecilia’s highest praise was simply, “It’s not bad.”

As her children grew, becoming more independent and wanting less hand sewn clothes, she became restless, so she decided to join the workforce as a school bus driver. She did so because the hours allowed her summers off with her children and hours that allowed her to be present for them. Tiny as she was, poised on pillows and hoisted pedals with blocks, she drove wild children through all kinds of inclement weather.

Finally with all of her children out of the house, She and Alejandro made a big move from New Jersey to Arizona. Here she became more involved in her Catholic dedications. She and Alejandro were very active in their church. They worked for Saint Vincent de Paul, serving in soup kitchens and helping families, especially in the town of Guadalupe, find services when in need. Cecilia also helped start the Shawl Ministry at Holy Spirit Catholic Church out of her own home. She taught many women how to knit and she made many shawls and lap blankets for the ill and their families.

Her family will forever cherish her wonderful quirks and feisty spirit. She was capricious! Cecili was the kind of woman who would meticulously peel the skin off grapes, yet eat a lemon entirely whole, rind and all. She would gladly give you the food straight off her own plate but she was absolutely fierce during a game of Parcheesi; her ultimate goal in any game was always to take the opponent out.

Cecilia is survived by her three children: Carlos and wife Lyda, Sara and husband Aaron, and Angela and husband Dario; Grand children, Alejandro, Julia, Alysa, Amelia, Diego, and Anna Cecilia; and her Belgian daughter and family, Hilde, Marc, and Evy; Step mother Cecilia and sister Patricia and family; and many cousins nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by; her spouse Alejandro, parents Alfonso and Sara, brother Jorge, and nephew and God Son Ivan.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 29, 10AM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Followed by a reception at the church, The burial at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery at 1:30PM.