Elisa Velasquez

ELISA VELASQUEZ 

 Elisa was born on August 23, 1934 to Candelaria and Eduardo Martinez in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. She was the third of six children and the only girl. Born and raised in New Mexico, she attended Aztec High School, and shortly after graduation, met and married Manuel Sena and moved to Mancos, Colorado.  

 After Manuel’s death in 1981, Elisa remained in Mancos, close to family. Elisa’s life always revolved around family. She had no children of her own, but her nieces and nephews knew she was “the aunt who would take care of you.” She always had a meal ready when anyone visited. Whether her visitors ate four hours or four minutes ago, they were fed! Elisa happily and faithfully served her family and the Lord. She loved Facebook and texting to keep in touch with friends and family, always sending out her “praying hands.”  

 In 2002, Elisa married Kelly Velasquez and gained a grandson, Aaron and a granddaughter Jaden; and moved to Dolores. When Kelly fell ill in 2022, Elisa was there to take care of him. Elisa was widowed once again when Kelly passed away in October of 2023. She returned to Mancos in the spring of 2024 to live with her nephew and niece-in-law Ed and Sharon Martinez.  

 Elisa passed away peacefully with family around on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colorado.

 Elisa is survived by her brother, Bino Martinez; his children, Steve, Vanessa, Patrick, Tami, and Sheri and their spouses and children. Elisa is also survived by her nephew, Ed Martinez and his wife, Sharon; and their children, Stacy, Vanessa, and Damian and their spouses and children; nephew, Jeff Martinez and his wife, Melinda; and their children, Tiffany, Tatum, and Bradley and their spouses and children; niece, Lucia Garcia and Ed, Chandler and Zach; nephew, Randy and his wife, Teresa; their children Carissa, Kasi, and Buddy, and their spouses and children; niece, Brenda Flaherty and her husband, Randy, and their children Katrina and Devon and their spouses. She is also survived by nieces and nephews from Nevada, Benny, Dolores, Julie, Junior, Delpha, Tommy, and their spouses and children. 

 Elisa was preceded in death by her mother, Candelaria; father, Eduardo; brothers, Orlando, Marcelino, Joe, and Chris; two husbands, Manuel Sena, and Kelly Velasquez.  

 Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 2, 2024 at 11 am at Saint Rita of Cascia Catholic Church, 203 S. Main St, Mancos, CO. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos with a meal after at the Saint Rita Church Hall. All friends are welcome.