Denise “Dee Dee” Vela never missed an opportunity to climb a ladder; on January 6, 2023 she

climbed her final ladder to Heaven.

Dee Dee was born on November 21, 1960 and raised in Pacoima, CA. She was a proud San

Fernando High Tiger. Her childhood was spent at the ball field where she quickly became a star

softball pitcher while being coached by her favorite coach, her father. She had an outstanding

softball career, even receiving a state softball award from Billie Jean King. In 1985 Dee Dee

spread her wings and moved to New York. She started working as a tech at Cannon where she

then worked her way up to a Branch Manager in Manhattan. LA will always be her home but the

East Coast quickly became her heart when she met the love of her life, Tricia in 1986. Dee and

Tricia moved to Harrington Park in 1995 where they planted roots, Dee working at Optimum and

Tricia running her Bakery; then later survived running a restaurant together.

Dee loved many things but her top loves were softball, Barbra Striesand, Adele, her culture, her

Coca-Cola and cigarettes, her garden, her truck, Harry Potter, & reading books by her favorite

authors. Her joy came from her many life-long friends and all of her nieces and nephews.

Dee Dee was predeceased by her mother and father, Frank M. and Estella Vela and her

brothers, Frank C. and Bill Vela. She is survived by her partner Tricia, her beloved cats, Katniss

and PrimRose, a whole crew of nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews, great-great nieces &

nephews and countless friends.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/denise-vela/obituary/

Copy