It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mom, Nana, Wife, Tía, Sister, and friend, Velma Esparza Macias, known affectionately by many as “Dr. V.” Velma passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025, at the age of 73, surrounded by her loving family in Merced, California.

Born on December 8, 1951, in Falfurrias, Texas, to Maria Garza Esparza and Robert Esparza, Velma’s life was rooted in resilience, dedication, and love. At just three months old, she moved with her family to Sunnyside, Washington, joining a community of migrant farm workers striving to create brighter futures for generations to come. From her earliest years, Velma worked alongside her family in the fields, harvesting strawberries, potatoes, beets, asparagus, and mint. She often credited those experiences with shaping her strong work ethic, one that defined her entire life and inspired all who knew her.

Velma graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1970 and soon after began her journey in healthcare. She first became a Licensed Vocational Nurse, a role she held for 14 years. After moving to Merced in 1976, she dedicated herself to night classes at Merced College for a decade to become a Registered Nurse. Never one to stop learning, Velma continued her studies through UC Davis’s extension program, earning her Family Nurse Practitioner license. For 29 years, she proudly served her patients and community as “Dr. V,” offering compassionate, thorough, and thoughtful care. She was deeply respected for her devotion to her patients, always making sure they felt heard, supported, and cared for.

Beyond her career, Velma lived a life rich in joy and passion. She loved reading, dancing, and listening to her favorite country and mariachi music. A proud Raiders fan, she could often be found cheering for her team, and calling her Son-in-Law when the Raiders beat his team. To many people’s surprise, she loved fast cars. She loved them so much that she bought two Corvettes! Her huge smile could be seen coast to coast when she was out cruising around in her Corvette. She also had a passion for sewing and quilting from a young age. Over the years, she created the most beautiful quilts and tapestries, became the family seamstress, and was the best at making costumes for any occasion.

Velma had some very memorable trips visiting family and friends. She loved to travel up to Washington and down to Mexico, and she especially loved her Disneyland trips with the family. Taking her grandkids to go see Mickey and Minnie Mouse and the fireworks by the castle was such an incredible experience. During all of these trips and experiences she shared laughs and created ever-lasting memories along the way with her loved ones.

Velma would also attend annual Medical conferences in Southern California and even Hawaii, where she would network with other medical professionals and open her mind to the latest and greatest innovative healthcare practices. She made sure she attended to gain more knowledge and ensure she could give the most informed medical care to her patients. She was extremely dedicated to making her patients feel heard, going the extra mile to be thorough, and supporting them and their loved ones on their healthcare journeys.

What Velma loved most of all was spending time with her precious family and celebrating the holidays with them. She made sure the house was decorated for every occasion. Her interior and exterior decor always brought a smile to her loved one’s faces. She really enjoyed hosting the holiday meals for her family. Having everyone over for a home cooked meal really warmed her heart. She created the tradition of baking annual Christmas cookies and her famous lemon bars. Some of the best Friday nights were spent at her house enjoying some Pizza Villa while watching her favorite movies; as long as she had the family around to joke and laugh with, she was happy.

She was an extremely devoted Nana to her grandkids; they were her pride and joy and truly her whole world. She found herself traveling to new places all across the West Coast to attend their baseball and volleyball tournaments. She would be seen at every awards assembly, concert, sporting event, or ceremony to cheer them on and let them know how proud they made her. She celebrated every accomplishment, large or small, with immense pride and endless love. She always made sure her grandkids were taken care of and had everything they could need. They were always “Nana’s angels”, and her ultimate pride and joy.

Velma was known for her kindness, strength, and warm laughter, as she was a light to everyone in her life. She believed in: showing respect to others, the importance of having your education come first, setting goals and not letting anything stand in your way from achieving those goals, having pride in our family, who we are, and where we come from.

Velma embodied the most loving and strong spirit and was an incredible matriarch for her family. She truly was the heart of her family, the one everyone turned to, no matter the time of day, for comfort, guidance, and encouragement. She was a wonderful listener, and always seemed to have the right words to help uplift someone or encourage someone to move forward from whatever issue they were going through. Her legacy of love, laughter, wisdom, and resilience will live on in the countless lives she touched. Velma will be deeply missed but forever cherished in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who were blessed to know her.

To our family, friends, and community, please remember Velma’s wish for you all. Velma’s wish is for everyone to pursue their dreams, live life to the fullest, and strive to be happy everyday.

Velma is survived by her daughter Angela (Dave) Minor, grandchildren Gabriella Flores and Chase Minor, and her husband Ernesto Macias and stepson Ernest Macias. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Maria Esparza, sisters Norma Esparza and Nelda Gastelum, brother Robert Esparza, Jr, and two of her beloved nephews Robert and Mario Gastelum - all of whom we know were waiting to welcome her with open arms and surround her in their love for each other.

In loving memory of Velma Esparza Macias, we invite you to celebrate her life and legacy. Join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced, CA 95340, as we honor the memories and cherish the moments we shared together. There will be a reception to follow onsite.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/merced-ca/velma-macias-12484881