Sayra Velasco

Today we bid farewell and celebrate the life of our beloved Sayra Velasco.
The world will long remember her name as the fond hearth of our hearts,
inspiration to our souls, and ever-present guide in our times of need.
In 1993, filled with excitement, Maggie knew she would be having a daughter
the moment she found out about her pregnancy, and unbeknownst to Ruben,
he would soon be raising a woman who could carry on his reflection of faith, conviction, and love in Jesus Christ.
Sayra came into this world beloved as the first child to the Velasco family on
November 3rd, 1993. She would go on to be the eldest of five. Sister to Misa,
Ana, Daniella, and Ilse. In being the first, she was never without love or
abundance, and that love blossomed into a beautiful child that would accept
Jesus Christ as her savior in 2006 at the age of 13. This act of perseverance
and conviction at such a young age is an early example of the kind of person Sayra was.
Sayra was nourished with love as the first grandchild, and the way she could
easily reciprocate love reflected what the family poured into her. Filling her
vessel to be kind, caring, respectful, inquisitive, and strong. Aspects that
would come together in the fierce personality that would embody Sayra.
Sayra loved ferociously and effortlessly and was filled with firmness and
purpose. She met the love of her life at the age of 15, Edgar Leyva. A young
love that the Lord knew needed one another. They grew together in a way no
one else could have and bonded their love in holy matrimony in 2015. This
would be an era in which Sayra would be surrounded by new friends and the
beginnings of long-lasting friendships, like the one she found and cherished
with her best friend Alexandra Ball. She touched a special spot in everyone
she met. A spot that would meet your soul and be slow to fade.
Ambition, conviction, determination. These words fall short to describe the essence that
Sayra held. I would always tell her that “they broke the mold when they made you” and I
truly believe there will never be another with her likeness. Someone so relentless to care,
with a burning fire to help others. She was so bright and capable, graduating as a pre-med
student from the California State University of San Bernardino, aspiring to become a
pediatric neurosurgeon. She volunteered with Christian Brigades to help those abroad as
a medical missionary bringing medical aid to the people of Congo. And would locally give
with her dedication to the church ministering to the children. Sayra was blessed
musically. She had a keen ear and the love of God in her voice. Ever present in the
worship team and spreading her joy in every musical way she could, from playing her
tambourine off beat as a child, to always taking moments to break out into song no matter
where she was, and on multiple occasions being asked to perform on the stage in front of
the entire assembly for convention.
The year 2020 was an impactful year where a series of events unfolded bringing trials
and tribulations. In September, the life of her husband was taken all too short. Sayra loss
him in a tragic motor accident, at the same time harboring a tumor that would soon after
be removed. One of the first signs of things that would come to be. She had little time to
grieve and carried on with her ambitions and goals, but in September of 2022 the family
was burdened with the ill news of Sayra’s diagnosis and the even more grim prognosis of
six months to two years. A devastating blow to anyone, but not Sayra. She did not know
how to slow down, let alone stop. This lit a fire in Sayra and would change everything.
Her strength grew hand in hand with her relationship with God. The Lords presence
would shine on Sayra, becoming a beacon for others to approach and worship. She
brought people together with grace and lead as an example to push forward when the
path ahead was uncertain. Her faith reassured others that everything would be okay, a
faith that in no moment was ever misplaced, and inspired people to draw closer to God.
Every day brought a struggle and every day she greeted the morning with strength and perseverance.
The Lord made her exactly what she needed to be. Strongheaded, and stronger willed.
She continued to grasp onto all likenesses of life. She would spoil her nieces and
nephew whenever she had the opportunity, making new memories with the family,
living her good days at Disneyland, and even pursuing a new career with One Legacy,
the state’s largest organ donor organization.
Our beautiful Sayra truly knew how to walk this earth and fully reap the rewards of
this fleeting life. The way she lived would make you think that perhaps maybe she
knew just how little time she had. The life she would live in a day could fill the weeks
of ours. She would have 16-hour overnight shifts at the hospital, would attend class,
maybe take a nap, and somehow have a social life, and this was not an odd occurrence.
Every time you would see her, she needed to be somewhere else, one thing after
another and never being late and never being shy to let you know if you were. Her
opinions were abundant. If you forgot something, she wouldn’t let you forget it again.
She would be on everyone about their appointments, if they have eaten, if you sang off
key. She was always there to say something, not to nag but, because she wanted
better for those around her. Those lucky enough to have known her, I am sure you can
still hear her in your head, telling you where your keys are, reminding you to drink
water, or telling you to get your license. Hold on to that voice, and she will always be with you.
It is unkind to have to lose someone in their youth. The loss of a loved one is always
painful, but traditionally when you think of someone passing you think of the long life
they had the opportunity to live, and you have the chance to look back and reminisce.
But how do you prepare for the death of someone so young? In Sayra’s case you don’t
look back but look forward longingly. You must fill your days like she would have and
make every moment count. So, I ask of you, and plead with you, live your life, and
hold yourself to a different standard. Welcome her guiding voice. Don’t miss your
opportunities, take your chances, and draw nearer to God. Honor her in this way.
Be kind and grow with grace.

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