Patterson Cemetery District 
Obits listing for 2009

Submitted by Gale Stroud 11 Aug 2009

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Patterson Irrigator, 09/07/2008, p 7 
 
Gloria Vela
03/18/1942 � 08/30/2008


A celebration of life will be Friday for Gloria Vela, who died Saturday at the 
Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson.
Mrs. Vela, 66, was born in Sonora, Texas, to Theodore and Herminia De La Garza. 
She was one of 13 siblings. Mrs. Vela lived in Patterson 40 years and worked for 
the Patterson School District before she retired.
Her family said she made the best tamales in town. She also enjoyed gardening, 
traveling and shopping with her sisters. Her favorite pastime was teaching her 
grandchildren Spanish and sewing for her granddaughter.
Mrs. Vela was a member of Christ Community Church in Modesto and the Ward Avenue 
Baptist Church in Patterson. She also volunteered at the Westside Food Pantry in 
Patterson.
Mrs. Vela�s family said she will be remembered for her caring and giving heart, 
her dedication to her family and friends, and most importantly for her zealous 
love for the Lord.
Mrs. Vela is survived by her husband of 49 years, Hector Vela of Patterson; her 
daughters, Priscilla Vela of Newman, Yvonne Erwin, and her husband, Lance, of 
Modesto; her son, Michael Vela, and his wife, Monica, of Tracy; her brothers, Ed 
De La Garza of Shingle Springs, Arnold De La Garza of Midland, Texas, and Arthur 
De La Garza of Texas; and her sisters, Linda Silveira of Newman, Hilda Estrada 
of Las Vegas and Norma Vera of Texas; and four grandchildren.
Friday�s celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. at Christ Community Church, 
1242 Carver Road, in Modesto.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations in Mrs. Vela�s name be sent to 
Christ Community Church, 3242 Carver Road, Modesto 95350; or Alexander Cohen 
Hospice House, c/o Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto 95356.
Hillview Funeral Chapel, 450 W. Las Palmas Ave., in Patterson, is handling 
arrangements.