Wilma Jeanette Velez's Obituary
Wilma (Hewel) Velez, 94, has been called to the place of dreams for a family reunion with Jesus, Mom & Dad (Wilma & John), brothers William, Edward, John, sister Marion and friends on September 16, 2017. She was born in Nassau County, New York. Wilma worked for Doubleday
(publisher) in New York, owned and operated a ceramic craft business in Merrick, NY and Ice Cream shop in Marlborough, NH.
Wilma was a housewife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, to her six children, 16 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and the wife of the late Silvio Velez. Wilma was not one for holding back, tell it like it is. A loving mother, she was so proud of her children knowing they were so good looking, patient, and great dancers. Some in the family think maybe Jim was adopted, not the greatest dancing skills but we luv’m.
Born in Albertson, N.Y., Wilma grew up in New York, New Hampshire and Virginia. In her final
years in Warrenton and Culpeper Virginia, she was surrounded by her three girls Dolores
(Tricarico), Beth (Donovan), and Marion (Halleran) and extended family enjoying a full life.
Wilma best times was with family, mass at Saint John Catholic Church, traveling to Belair,
Maryland to see her good looking son Arthur also good-looking wife Tricia and family, or
Marlborough, New Hampshire to see her quiet son James his very tall wife Sue and family, or
Hillsdale, New York to see her son Frank the yodeler and his wife Louise the dancer.
You would see a smile and twinkle in Mom (the star) eyes being with her girls (Dolores -producer, Beth - director, Marion - casting) playing cards; be it at a stock car race in Freeport,NY; painting a landscape scene; working in the garden; golfing; watching her grandchildren grow or discussing the benefits of green beer on Saint Pats Day with Eileen Sweningson. Visits and discussion with Dan or Karen always left a glow on her face. Wilma enjoyed making baptism bibs for the newborn babies, crafting Christmas ornaments and towels.Playing bingo, walking her dog or working on the yearly Christmas Party with friends on Hasting Lane in Warrenton was alway a good time. Wilma did like a good party.
Wilma is survived by her brother Charles Hewell, her children and grandchildren Dolores
(husband Ray “ the Cook” Tricarico, children Tina, Ray, Laurie, Patricia), Marion (husband Larry Halleran, daughter Colleen), Elizabeth (husband James Donovan), James (wife Susan, children Heather, Matt, Katie), Arthur (wife Tricia, children Micheal, Kelly, Daniel) and Frank (Louise, children Dan,Ellen, Karen, Debbie).
The service will be private and we will celebrate together Wilma's life and her seasons in the sun.
So get your smile on, twinkle in your eye and please think of her and your special someone that
will be shining down upon us all from this day forward.
The family would like to extend their appreciation for everyone (Joanne & staff) involved with her care at Culpeper Nursing Home.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Wilma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wilma?
Share a story where Wilma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wilma you’ll never forget.
How did Wilma make you smile?