Obituary of Mercedes M Velazquez

Obituary of Mercedes M Velazquez Oct 5, 1926 – April 24, 2020 Mercedes Velazquez passed away on April 24th, 2020 after a battle with Cancer and COVID19. She was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, to the late Graciela Mercedes Tejada of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Julio Velazquez of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico. She was the youngest of four siblings: Gloria Suazo, Julio Velazquez, Jr and Francisco Velazquez. Her mother perished in the 1930 Hurricane San Zenon that destroyed most of the island and killed 8,000 people. Her Dad struggled to care for the children; however, it became too much for him. His daughters were then placed in an orphanage where they endured poverty and suffering. When Gloria married, she would return soon after and take Mercedes with her. His sons stayed with him in San Pedro. The opportunity to study nursing was presented to her – and she accepted. She attended and graduated from La Cruz Roja Dominicana Nursing School in Santo Domingo. She worked in various hospitals as a Registered Nurse, and later on for then President Rafael el Trujillo. When offered the opportunity to make a better life in the United States, she accepted without hesitation. It was quite the challenge arriving in New York City in 1959, not knowing the language, the customs, or the undercurrent of racial changes that would soon shape the world. Mercedes would find work as a Hospital Attendant at Mother Cabrini Memorial Hospital, and attend night school to learn English as well as earn her degree. She retired in 1990 after working many years as a Licensed Practical Nurse from Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. She was curious about seeing the world and enjoyed traveling to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Her last vacation was to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Cuba – her lifelong wish. She also enjoyed reciting poetry, dancing, cooking, crocheting, doing anagram puzzles, spending time with family and assisting newly arrived immigrants acting as a translator. She sponsored family and close friends with their arrival to New York City. She had a sharp wit and tell-it-like-it-is attitude, very straight forward and to the point. All with a smile on her face. She would spend her final years on Fort Washington Avenue, where she lived for 45 years. She outlived two husbands: Luis Wilfredo Mella and Gabriel Patricio Hernandez. Survived by daughter, Rafaela A Gonsalves and partner Pedro Guzman; grandchildren Mercedes Torres and husband Caesar, Christopher Gonsalves and wife Maria, Michelle Gonsalves and partner Michael DeCrumpe, and Marc Anthony Gonsalves and wife Shandri. Great-grandchildren Phillip, Simon and Isabeau Torres; Phyliss, Courtney and Gabriela Gonsalves; Joseph Gonsalves and wife Alana, Christopher Gonsalves and husband Corey, Michael Geathers and wife Laura; great-great granddaughters Audriana Gonsalves and Elliana Geathers. And a host of family, friends and neighbors. In light of the current health situation, a memorial will be held in the near future. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Mercedes M Velazquez, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.