Zoila Velasquez

Zoila Silva Velasquez passed away peacefully at 10 AM on June 23, 2024 at the age of 80 years old in San Marcos, Texas. She was born in Pflugerville, Texas on December 20, 1943 to Trinidad and Tomas Silva.

She grew up in Pflugerville near the Old Cotton Gin, and her father and uncles all worked for the Katy Line Railroad. Her parents later moved to Georgetown and raised her and her siblings in their modest home on West Second Street. She was the middle child of ten children, raised among five rowdy brothers.

Mom was a true “tom-boy” who could outrun, outpitch, outhit, outplay, and outfight any boy in the neighborhood. Baseball was one of her passions, taught to her by her Papa Tomas. She passed that passion on to her sons who were also great ball players.

Mom is preceded by her parents, Tomas and Trinidad Silva; her brothers, Santos, Jesse, Joe and Tomas Jr. and one sister, Sofia.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Theresa Velasquez, M.D., Jesse Velasquez, Linda Velasquez-Haster and Joe Velasquez, her grandchildren, Brandon, Charles, Jaclyn, Jessica, Jimmy, Michelle, and Nicholas, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Zoila was an Outreach Coordinator and Case Manager for 20 years at Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities (WBCO) in Georgetown, Texas. She worked closely with volunteers from the VFW, Amvets, The Caring Place and Local Churches, serving Senior Citizens and Families with financial difficulties. She also volunteered as an interpreter for the local police and served with the Women’s Crisis Center. She previously worked for 10 years at Community Action Project in Lake County, Illinois doing similar service work.

Zoila was also a loving and caring daughter to her parents as well as a supportive sister. She was a wonderful mother, grandma, great-grandma, and a loyal friend.

Zoila instilled a strong work ethic and a love of learning to her children and she was rewarded with raising a Physician, a Master Carpenter, an Accountant, and a Restaurant Manager. She had an honest, straight-shooting personality and she gave unconditional love and understanding to both family and friends. She was a great listener and gave sage advice. She was a force of nature.

When not working she had many hobbies and loved the outdoors. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing, fossil hunting, and camping along the rivers of Central Texas. She introduced her grandchildren to her love of nature and they have many fond memories of riding in her pickup truck, feeding the ducks at the San Gabriel River, casting a fish line and swimming at the Blue Hole in Georgetown! Mom also loved to cook and she was legendary for her excellent tamales.

Zoila requested cremation and declined a funeral. Her loving family will be hosting a Celebration of Life dinner for her on July 14th at the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St. If you would like to bring a perennial plant or seed packet to the dinner, we will be planting them in her garden as a remembrance. All family and friends are welcome.

Her children would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her excellent team of physicians including Drs. Nick Posey, Raul Ramirez, Rajesh Shetty and Homar Bartra. Thanks also to the Be Healthy at Home Nursing Team, Nurse Rebecca at A.R.C., M.A. Julie and to her caregivers Jay and Irene. Their excellent medical care, compassion, and advocacy extended mom’s life and gave her years of quality time to spend with her family.

In lieu of cut flowers you may make a donation to the Madella Hilliard Neighborhood Center, Georgetown, Texas or to the non-profit organization of your choice.

God bless you mom, until we all meet again!