Avelina "Vel " was born on November 10, 1928 in Lupao, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. She was the eldest of 9 siblings of Marcelo Neri and Marta Sotelo. She is survived by her loving husband Maximo Gordovez; her 5 children Jacinto(Cecilia decd) Alfonso (RosarioJulia), Marcelo (MayFlorian), Bonifacio (Liwayway), and Martha; 9 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren; and her 3 siblings (Prosperidad, Reby, and Purificacion)

As a young girl, during WWII, her love for music was what saved her family from the Japanese Kempetai when she was able to play the Japanese National anthem with her "banduria" as ordered. This experience inspired her that music was her way of life. Ma'am Vel was a music teacher for more than 30 years at San Jose Pilot School, music instructor at Divine Word College, and retired as Division Music Supervisor of the Dept. of Education and Culture in the province of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines.

In the Philippines, she was active in the Girl Scout movement and was appointed as the Girl Scout executive in the province and a Woodbadger, organizing musical events and choral groups, church choir, masonic wife activities, and playing different musical instruments.

In 1986 she migrated to California, worked for the infant and toddler program of the Pittsburg Community Council for 10 years and retired for the second time. She became active in the Good Shepherd Church Choir, senior housing activities and most especially the retirement casino therapy.

You will be missed by family and friends. You will be singing with the angels.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with a vigil at 6:30pm at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel. Funeral liturgy Friday, March 23, 2018 at 10:00am at Church of the Good Shepherd. Committal services following at Oak View Memorial Park in Antioch.