Velia Dickinson

In Floresville TX, on August 15, 2012, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother and when the Lord offered His hand in invitation, Velia Esther Cardenas Dickinson accepted and took her place in heaven where her beloved husband, John Y. Dickinson, Jr. who passed away in 1996, awaited her.-She was born on April 3, 1914, in Allende, Coahuila, Mexico, to her parents, Elpidio and Maria Petra Cardenas, who also preceded her.-She was about four months old when she came to the US, as her father situated the family in San Antonio while he returned to Mexico in support of his uncle Venustiano Carranza during the revolution.-After Venustiano became president of Mexico, her father returned to San Antonio and set up a transit company to move passengers and cargo between San Antonio and Laredo.-The family later moved to Laredo where she met John, the love of her life.-They married on September 17, 1932, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.-A part of her life was spent in residence in Mexico where her husband's career took them, but Laredo, Texas was always the family home.-She became a patriotic US citizen and was always proud of her Mexican birth and heritage.-A lady strong of character and courageous in her convictions, she was kind, compassionate, and committed to her faith as a Catholic.-She was totally devoted to her family, always there for them with unconditional love, spiritual strength, and support when needed.-She gave many years of her life to programs supporting her parishes Our Lady of Guadalupe and Blessed Sacrament in Laredo and several in Mexico City.-She worked with the Cursillo movement in Laredo, served on nursing home and hospital Catholic Auxiliaries, was an Hija de Maria and a Guadalupana, and she assisted with programs at St. Joseph's Academy and Ursuline Academy, such as the All-Catholic High Parents Association and the Catholic Youth Organization.-She offered direct support to the hungry and others in need until her health did not allow her.-In July 2007, she moved to Floresville Texas to receive health care.

Also preceding her in eternal life were her daughter, Mary Ann Dickinson, her grandson James Michael Dickinson, and all her siblings and their spouses (as indicated): Salvador Cardenas (Maria) of San Antonio, Julio Cardenas (Maria) of Mexico City, Maria Garza (Faustino) of Laredo, Oscar Cardenas (Tencha) of Laredo and (Maria) California, and Eduardo Cardenas of Laredo as well as her parents-in -law John Y. Dickinson and Cayetana Gutierrez Dickinson of Laredo, and their other children and spouses (as indicated): Hortensia (Jose Angel) Hernandez, Charles B. Dickinson, and Lilia (Francisco B.) Rodriguez all of Laredo.-Her sister-in-law Bertha Dickinson of Laredo and spouse of Charles B., survives.

Also surviving are:-her daughter Gloria De Lara of Laredo; and her sons, USAF-retired Lt Col John Y. Dickinson III and his wife Joyce who live in Floresville TX, and Paul R. Dickinson and his wife Daphne who live in Birmingham AL; as well as grandchildren and spouses (as indicated): Mary Ann Johnston and Diana Lee Crawford of Laredo; John A. Dickinson (Norma) of San Antonio, Dr. Paul J. Dickinson (Margaret) of Winston-Salem NC;-Richard A. Dickinson (Rebecca) of Austin, and Dr. Robert B. Dickinson (Jenifer) of Austin; and Tara (Robert York), Natalie Dickinson, and Paul R. II Dickinson of the Dallas area.-Also surviving her are her great grandchildren: John Ross Johnston; Paul J. II., and Alston E. Dickinson; Everett, William, and Eva Dickinson; Caden Dickinson; Trevor York; and great-great- granddaughter Nina Janelle Johnston.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donation in her memory be made to any charity of your choice.

The Family offers appreciation to the staffs of the Floresville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Odyssey Hospice of San Antonio for their care and treatment.