Merlita Alias Velasquez

August 10, 1943 – July 30, 2023

Our beloved Merlita Alias Velasquez was called home by her Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 30, 2023. Born on August 10, 1943 in Vigan Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she was the only child of the late Quirino and Angelita Alias. Short of reaching her 80th birthday, Merlita had accomplished so much in her lifetime on earth for her family, friends, colleagues, professional organizations, charitable causes, and her church. She not only loved life, she was the "life" of many people around her !

Merlita lost her father early in her childhood. She had a humble but loving upbringing raised by her mother and paternal grandmother in a small town outside the city. She was a child of great ambition because she did not want to stay long at her small-town elementary school. She excelled academically and socially earning her placement at the prestigious private catholic school, St. Paul College of Vigan, ran by the Franciscan Sisters of Charity. She went on to the University of Santo Tomas where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing. It is in the same school where she met the love of her life, Dr. Eddie Velasquez. Armed with an innate drive and passion for her chosen profession, she quickly rose the ranks and became a respected professor of nursing in several colleges and universities.

As a young mother, Merlita aspired to provide a brighter future for her family. She convinced Eddie and they decided to immigrate their young family to the United States. Her hardworking attitude and adept nursing skills elevated her from being a staff nurse to director of nursing in several Houston metropolitan hospitals. She was not only an exceptional nurse, she had the heart of an entrepreneur. She founded Nursing Resource Home Health Services, Inc. and Rosemont Personal Care Home in the 1990's, both of which she successfully grew for over 25 years.

Yet, Merlita's heart knew no bounds when it came to service. She adorned professional and charitable organizations with her dedication and leadership. Notably, she served in key leadership roles for the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) and presided over the PNAA Foundation (PNAAF) from 2015 to 2019. Under her leadership, the PNAA/PNAAF Legacy Headquarters, "The Dream House," for Filipino nurses in the US became a reality on July 29, 2018.

Rooted in her Catholic faith, Merlita embodied her convictions through compassion. She endowed the education of two Catholic priests, birthing the St. Jude Foundation – a source of scholarships and hope. Year after year, she journeyed with a medical missionary organization, bringing services, equipment, and supplies to remote and impoverished towns in the Philippines. She always believed in the power of prayers that she built a prayer room within her home, where all who entered found solace, love, and warmth. Among her spiritual endeavors was the 2000 Hail Mary fellowship who gathered every second Saturday of the month to worship and pray to the Blessed Mother Mary.

Despite all of these accomplishments, Merlita was always devoted to her family. She was the matriarch who bonded her family together. She was always there for her children and her grandchildren. She had countless numbers of friends who loved her.

Merlita is now reunited with her beloved husband, Dr. Eddie Velasquez. She was also preceded in death by her aunt Salome, her sisters-in-law Melba and Teresita, and her brothers-in-law Sergio and Teofilo.

She is survived by her children Merridine, Edmer, and Ferdinand, and their spouses William, Traci, and Christine, her eight grandchildren James, Aaron (AJ), April, Alexandre, Braxton, Wyatt, Grant, and Lucas, and a grandson waiting to be born. She is also survived by her stepsisters Myrna, Maribel, and Melinda, her cousin Virginia, her brother-in-law Wilfredo and sisters-in-law Portia and Aurora.

Merlita's legacy will forever weave through our lives. Her family deeply misses her, only finding solace in prayers, inner strength, and the fond memories of her 4 L's ----live, laugh, love, and her legacy.

Her funeral mass will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church on Saturday, August 12th, 2023 at 12 PM. From 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM, family and friends are welcome for final respects and viewing. After the mass, Merlita's family invites everyone to join them in a "Celebration of Life" reception in the church's reception hall from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Interment will follow at Klein Memorial Park in FM 2920. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Merlita's favorite charity, St. Jude Foundation, https://www.stjude.org/donate or the chapter of your choice of the American Cancer Society.