Maria Elena Vasquez, 85, died Thursday, December 17, 2020, in the Lompoc Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.  Previously she had been cared for at home by three granddaughters, Angelina Vasquez, Cassandra Ochoa and Nikki Ochoa.

Maria was born December 23, 1934, to Pablo and Lorenza Degollado in Laredo, Texas. She met and married Mel Vasquez in Corpus Christi, Texas, and together they raised four children and traveled the world, courtesy of the United States Air Force. Favorite spots included Spokane, Washington, and Seville, Spain. Upon arriving in Lompoc, Maria worked at Vandenberg Air Force Base billeting until she retired in 1988 to help care for her grandchildren. With little formal education, Maria educated herself in order to better help her grandchildren with their homework.

Maria was at home in the kitchen. She always cooked for an army and nobody went away hungry as long as you got there before she announced "The kitchen is closed!" Friends and family still talk about her legendary tamales. She loved camping and fishing with her family, but nothing thrilled her like shouting "Bingo" on a Sunday afternoon.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband Mel and son Gerald. She is survived by three children: Charles Vasquez of Lompoc, CA, Mel Vasquez, Jr. of Sherwood, AR, and Valarie Ochoa of Lompoc, CA. She adored her many grandchildren and many more great-grandchildren.

The graveside funeral service was Thursday, December 31, 2020, at 10 am in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery led by Deacon Michael Lujan of the Queen of Angels Catholic Church.