Melba Velasquez Rader, 70, passed away on April 28, 2021. Born in Mangaldan, Philippines, she was a daughter of the late Tranquilino and Celedonia Velasquez. Melba attended a Dominican Catholic school from first grade to senior high school. She imparted a dedication for prayer to her beloved children and raised them praying the holy rosary as a family every night.

Melba attended two years of chemical engineering education at the Mapua University, which was then, and continues to be the premier engineering university in the Philippines and Asia. Although she married at a younger age and started a family, she successfully graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Commerce at a local university. Her expertise in bookkeeping for her family's business was apparent as the business grew. Although it was very difficult for her to leave her children behind, an illness of her father brought her to Houston in 1991. While learning to adapt to life in the United States, she helped her siblings and their families care for their children until she moved to California for a few years. Her closeness to her siblings brought her back to Houston. Melba always wanted to bring all her children back together. Three of her children joined her over the years, which brought so much joy to her heart.

Melba was later employed at DaVita Dialysis in Tomball, Texas until her early retirement. Melba spent many hours volunteering at the St. Maximillian Catholic Community, attending to the Blessed Sacrament. There, she made friends who she became very close with. Melba enjoyed spending more quality time with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, going for long morning walks, watching movies and the news, grooming the family Maltese Chloe, cooking for her children, and not to forget, taking many photographs and sharing it on her social media. But the one thing she enjoyed most over the past two years was spending countless hours with her twin granddaughters. They are her pride and joy and they have given her a newfound interest in "twin grand mothering." She loved to shop at Costco for them, always getting books and their favorite blueberry muffins. The three of them could sing "skidamarink" all day.

Melba has an amazing way of making wonderful connections with people and making them feel special. She was one to listen and was always genuinely concerned. She was also very close to her siblings and cousins and she had many lifelong friends. Many called her, "my sister," a friend they can always call. These are one of the many reasons that Melba's unexpected departure remains unbearable. She left behind loved ones that grieve deeply and are forever altered. Melba will never be forgotten. Her loved ones will always cling to the beautiful memories shared with her. She has the touched hearts of many with her kindness, compassion, unconditional love, and selflessness.

Melba is survived by her two sisters, Teresita and Aurora, her brother, Wilfredo, her sisters-in-law Merlita, Mercedes, and Portia and brother-in-law, Bert. She was preceded

in death by her brothers Sergio and Eddie, and her brother-in-law, Teofilo. She is survived by her husband, Perry and her children, Trifunia, Pamela, Raymond, Eileen, and April Rose, and their spouses Matthew and Jen, her seven grandchildren: Kylei, Vince, Kathryn, Adrian, Ralph, Audrey and Kennedy.

Her funeral mass will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community on Friday, May 14th, 2021 at 10 AM. Attendees are welcome to come 15 minutes earlier for the reflection and eulogy. Face covering and social distancing are required at all times. Interment will follow at Klein Memorial Park in FM 2920. In the near future, a beautiful memorial will be held in her honor when it is safer for many to travel and gather to celebrate her life. The celebration will be held in a manner exactly how she would have it done. Melba always loved roses and planting a rose in her memory would be a thoughtful reminder of the beautiful person she was.

For those not able to attend the Rite of Committal, please click on the below link around 11:30am Friday, May 14, 2021.

https://youtu.be/HLIuc7ZXkAA