Sally Barela Velasquez
Sally Barela Velasquez, born on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1937, to Pete Jaloma Barela and Ramona Chavez Barela, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 15, 2025. She was the fourth of five children. Her siblings were Gilbert, Margaret, David, and Pete. She grew up in the town of Globe with her family in their family home.
As a teenager, Sally enjoyed playing softball and she regularly told us how good she was. She helped her family as a young girl as best she could, working from a very young age. Although recollection of what her first job might have been, she always told stories of her most favorite. She worked as a Nanny for a lovely family for years, and even until recently recalled her many fond memories of caring for the family’s children. She especially loved her time with them on family vacations. The strength and determination that developed in her as a young girl would prove to be the driving force in her life.
Later in life, she spent time waitressing tables and cooking at the local restaurant Los Hermanos. She loved the time she spent working with the family that owned the restaurant and often spoke very highly of them.
Her greatest joy, though, was the time she spent at home, raising her children, and her children’s children. This gave her life. She was a very strong-willed woman, with a heart of gold, giving even when she didn’t have to give, and most of us would agree that she carried that characteristic with her throughout life. She was truly an angel on earth.
Sally was the most kind, loving, and giving person and this was the key to the success of her building her family in adulthood. Sally had a daughter, and subsequently married the love of her life, Lorenzo Oton Velasquez on May 26, 1961. Together, they raised a family of four, Christina Jean Quiroz McCord (Marsh), Lorenzo (Choppy) David Velasquez, Victor William Velasquez (Cynthia), and Patricia Lynn Velasquez in the town of Superior where they lived for 58 and 62 years.
Sally is preceded in death by her mother and father, Pete and Ramona; her brothers, Gilbert and David; her husband, Lorenzo; all four of her children, Christina, Lorenzo, Victor and Patricia; as well as two great-grandchildren, Lorenzo and Brooklyn Velasquez.
Sally is survived by her children (adopted) Christopher Velasquez (Morgan), Gabriel Velasquez, Amber Velasquez (Alfred), Vincent Velasquez (Hunter) and Brittany Velasquez; her sister, Margaret; brother, Pete; and her remaining grandchildren, Jennifer Sosh, Janelle Sosh, Jonathon McCord (Sarah), Leticia Velasquez, Joshua Velasquez (Victoria), and Justin Velasquez (Kristin); and numerous other great-grandchildren.
Sally endured hardship, tragedy, and heartache, but she carried on for 87 years with the same heart of gold, smile, and her faith in God along with her prayers every night, that we can only hope are the memories of her we carry on with us in our hearts. She is loved, dearly missed, and will forever be in our hearts and minds. We can be eased of pain in knowing that she is now fully reunited with her husband and her children and is smiling down on us with joy in her heart.
Services for Sally will be held at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Superior, AZ on Friday, March 28. Visitation is at 9 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment is at Fairview Cemetery in Superior. A luncheon will follow at St. Mary’s Center.