Vera Elvira Dueñas

Vera Elvira Dueñas was born in Los Angeles on January 8, 1938, to Isidoro Solis and Refugio Castellanos de Zavala Solis. The oldest of eight children, she had an exciting life filled with much love and humor shared with family and friends. Mom was a wonderful, loving, caring, and loyal Mother, Grandmother, Mother-in-law, Sister, Aunt, and Friend.

She grew up in Watts, California. As a teen, she attended Bishop Conaty High school in Los Angeles, and graduated in 1956. After high school, she attended Compton College where she earned her AA degree. In her early years, Mom was a social butterfly, along with her bubbly personality; she loved spending time with her girlfriends. Together, they would attend dances at the Hollywood Palladium, take trips to Catalina Island, and just enjoy life. After College, Mom took a job at Bank of America and eventually moved on to work for a stockbroker at the Los Angeles Stock Exchange.

In 1965, Mom married her sweetheart, David Lopez Dueñas, and together they raised four children. She was a stay at home mother and artist. She had her own studio and taught china painting and ceramics classes. As her children grew older, she changed careers and worked for USC Norris Cancer Center and eventually retired as medical records specialist at Santa Marta Hospital in East Los Angeles.

Mom loved spending time at the beach house in Ensenada. It was her home away from home. She enjoyed watching her son's play baseball and football, and was proud of her daughter's accomplishments in achieving academic success. Through hard work and her commitment to education, she was able to send her children to USC, UC Santa Barbara, and Cal State Hayward. She was definitely the strength, inspiration and foundation behind her children's success. She was so proud of her children and family.

She is survived by her daughter Delia Dueñas Hernandez of Pasadena, Ca. Sons David Solis Dueñas of Rialto, Ca. Lenny Solis Dueñas of La Verne, Ca. and Larry Solis Dueñas of Alhambra, Ca. Grand children: Vincent, Samuel, Felix, Beau, Helena, Amelia, Aaron, Julian, Mateo, and Roman. She loved them all very much.

She is also survived by her sisters Elisa Loeffen of Altadena, Ca., Martha Sucharski of Kenmore Wa., Brother Rudy Solis of Santa Cruz, Ca., and 14 Nieces and Nephews.

Mom always loved being with her family and friends. With her boisterous voice you could literally hear her laughing a mile away. On the day of her passing, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Just the way she would have wanted it. Then Dad came down for her on Valentine's Day, took her hand, and escorted her through the gates of heaven. Mom is now watching over us, protecting us, and continuing to pray for us. She will always be loved and we will miss her dearly.