Martha Velarde Hijuelos

Martha Alicia Velarde Hijuelos, 94 years of age, of Gretna, passed peacefully on July 17, 2020 at Ochsner Hospital Main campus with her loving family at her side. Martha was born on January 11, 1926 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras to Jesus Velarde and Juan Manuel Galvez and raised by her beloved Anita. She travelled extensively as a flight attendant for TACA airlines and later, during her father’s presidency, as a member of the Honduran Diplomatic Corps. In 1948 she chose to come to the United States to study at Soule Business College in New Orleans. The next year she met and married a young American businessman, Leonard Hijuelos. Residing in the New Orleans area for the next 60 plus years, they raised a family of four children. In addition to her role as housewife and homemaker, Martha relished her time working as a secretary and Spanish instructor at St. Anthony of Gretna where her children attended early grade school. When the children were older, she spent many years working at Leonard’s side in the office of his successful paint contracting business. In addition to taking care of her family and working, she was very active in local Westbank community and political organizations. She was most proud of her work with Jefferson Parish’s Women Against Crime and her support for the Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center. One of the greatest moments of her life was the day she became a U.S. citizen. She was a fiercely loyal American and never failed to share her love for her adopted country. Martha was always happiest helping other people and she tried to make everyone she met feel loved and important. Her greatest passion in life was her family. After the loss of her precious life partner, Leonard, in 2010, she continued to live for her family and make every day a blessing for each of them. Martha was an irrepressible fountain of love and a “maker of beautiful memories” for her family and all those whose life she touched. She is survived by her four children: Al Hijuelos (Julie), Pensacola, FL; Omalee Gordon (Dennis), Gretna, LA; Greg Hijuelos (Debi), Gretna, LA; and Leonard Hijuelos III (Sandrine), Gretna, LA.; nine grandchildren: Jason Hijuelos(Ann), Jonathan Hijuelos (Andrea), Jeffrey Hijuelos (Sarah), Jessica Schulman (Jordan), Alicia Hijuelos, Sabrina Eckert (Harry), Tiffany Hebert, Tisha Raiford (Kent), Chris Gordon (Karen); 15 great grandchildren: Aiden, Parker, Spencer, Londyn, Trenton, Corey, Carson, Callie, Braeden, Nick, Brody, Silar, Sawyer, Eveline, and Aurora; brother-in-law, Frank (Pam); three nieces: Omalee (Jimmy), Terri (Kenny), Shirley (Paul), and their children and families. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Memorial Service in the chapel of Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expwy., Harvey, LA on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 3pm. A Memorial Visitation will be held from 1pm until 3pm. Note: Masks required
Due to the the governor’s COVID mandates, only 50 people will be allowed at any one time for visitation. The memorial service will be for family.
A special thanks to the Ochsner Main Campus Covid ICU staff for the compassion and loving care that they showed for our beloved mother.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com .