Far too many people have to endure the tragedy of losing their mother too soon. Fortunately for Mercedes Velastegui and her five children, such is not the case.
This October, Velastegui will turn 102, and this Mother’s Day will mark her nearly eight and a half decades as a mom.
“I’m very proud of all my daughters,” said Mercedes, whose daughter Victoria Rivas interpreted her feelings. “I raised them the way I wanted. I feel safe and happy that everything I hoped for came true.”
Mercedes is a single mother of five children who was widowed at the age of 40. The eldest of her children, Oscar Velastegui and Olga Palacios, live in Ecuador. Rivas and her two younger sisters, Digna Ordonez and Maria Velastegui, ensure that their mother is well attended to, and do their best to visit her every day.
In addition to being a mother, Mercedes is also a proud grandmother of nearly 30 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
“She loved when we would all come together on Mother’s Day and we’d bring her a little cake,” said Rivas, the middle daughter of the family. “We would throw her a little party here, and her grandchildren would bring her gifts.”
Her daughters say that Mercedes is fortunate to have the use of her five senses. She is well cared for at home by her daughters, especially her youngest daughter Mary, who sleeps with her and tends to most of her needs. Every Sunday, communion host is brought to her home. Each month, a nurse visits to ensure that Mercedes’ health is as strong as can be.
While for some people, the many ailments that come with age can confine them to their home, Mercedes is not one of them. Her daughters describe her as a lively woman who likes to take long walks and loves to engage others in conversation.
For over 80 years, Mercedes worked to ensure that her children got ahead and made something of their lives. At 101 years, Mercedes has left a legacy that will carry on for generations.
“We admire our mom very much. She has been very strong,” said her daughters Victoria, Olga and Mary. “She gave us education, which is the main thing. She was able to give us all education, and we were happy because it’s the truth. Thanks to her, we are what we are.”
