Maria Elena Veliz II

Maria Elena Veliz II passed away March 30, 2025, in Hewitt, TX. A funeral mass honoring Maria’s life will take place on April 24, 2025, beginning at 11am, at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church with a Rosary at Burns Mortuary taking place the night prior to on April 23, 2025, beginning at 6pm. Both at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church and Burns Mortuary are located in Hermiston, OR.

Maria was born and raised in Hermiston OR. As a young person she served Our Lady of Angeles Catholic Church as an Altar Server. She also played softball and continued her love of sports as an adult. She moved to Twin Falls ID and then to Eudora KS, eventually, settling in Texas.

Maria was a strong woman who loved her children with her whole heart. She always loved spending time with them and celebrating their successes. Maria raised six beautiful children and still had time to fulfill her dream of graduating from the Paul Mitchell School of Beauty as well as continuing her education to become a qualified Special Education assistant at Castleman Creek Elementary School. She was a dedicated fan of the Kansas City Chiefs (even before Mahomes) and the Kansas City Royals. Through every win and loss, they were her teams. Maria very much appreciated the health care providers at Ascension Providence Hospital, 4th floor. She shared her energy with them and cookies as her love language in appreciation for the excellent care that she received there. She also cared very much for her co-workers that became her family at Castleman Creek Elementary.

Maria loved the sunshine, and the warmth on her face was like medicine to her. When you think of her, remember her beautiful smile, witty personality, competitiveness and contagious laugh. We will remember her sitting on a bed of sunflowers and orchids, her signature flowers, next to her beloved bulldogs, Gordo and Papacito. She is smiling her big, beautiful smile and watching over her children that she loved so much. We ask you to look for butterflies, as Maria shared you would think of her each time you see a butterfly. Her faith is steadfast and resilient as she came back to her savior and prayed for his mercy during her illness. Smile and be joyful as one day we will all be called by the Lord. She is our angel in heaven, Little Marie.

Left to cherish Maria’s memory are her children, Sons, Frederick Christopher Reese, Derrick Christopher Reese Jr., Micah Derrick Reese and daughters, Elena Maria Reese, Melanie Marie Reese, Aubrey Irene Knight.