Sally Velasquez

Sally (Cha Cha) Jaramillo Soliz Velasquez was born on October 27, 1936 just outside of Coolidge Arizona on the ranch, El Rancho De Los Mata Gatos. Her family was an early pioneer family that settled in southeastern Arizona. They were part of the early Spanish settlers in Clifton, Metcalf, and Solomon Arizona. Sally’s maternal ancestors (Grijalva and Jaramillo Families) settled what is now parts of New Mexico and San Elizario, Texas. Sally was also raised in Coolidge. She met her husband, Cruz Guerrero Velasquez, who was born and raised in the Grant Park Neighborhood of Phoenix, in 1952. The Velasquez family was also an early pioneer family who were hard rock miners in Metcalf Arizona in 1870. They were married in St. James Catholic Church in Coolidge in 1954.

She was a mother to Richard Velazquez as well as her two sons Cruz and Joseph who died shortly after birth. She was a loving grandmother to Santa Dunker (Velazquez), Marisa Velazquez, Sophia Thieman(Velazquez), Jacqueline Velazquez, and Richard Velazquez. She was a doting great-grandmother to Brayden Thieman, Mia Thieman, Adam Thieman, and Harper Thieman. She lived in Mesa Arizona for the last 21 years until she passed away on January 3, 2021. Sally was preceded in death by her mother, Maria Grijalva Jaramillo, father, Manuel Chavez Soliz, her sons Cruz Velasquez and Joseph Velasquez, her loving husband, Cruz Guerrero Velasquez, as well as her brothers Frank Jaramillo Garcia, Frederick Jaramillo Garcia, Henry Jaramillo Garcia, and Mike Jaramillo Garcia, and her sisters Helen Jaramillo Garcia Armenta, and Minnie (Chita) Jaramillo Soliz Reyna. In addition to her son, Richard, daughter-in-law, Elda Velazquez, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Sally was a wonderful cook who enjoyed family parties. She loved going to the casino, singing karaoke and dancing with her family. She also had many friends who loved her and will miss her.