Iris Velez

Iris Milagros Velez, 69, of Las Vegas, passed away and went into God's Heavenly Kingdom Nov. 10, 2011. She was one of five children born to Rita Ruiz and Fernando Luciano, Aug. 6, 1942, in Puerto Rico. She attended school and lived the majority of her life in Brooklyn, N.Y. She moved to Las Vegas in 1988, bringing her family with her. Our mother was a hard-working, devoted woman who dedicated her life to taking care of her family. Family was the most important thing to her and it gave her great joy, happiness and commitment, which she took seriously. Her laughter and bright smile brought not only love and life to our hearts but it touched everyone she met along her journey, She will be truly missed, but not forgotten, always remaining close by in our hearts. Iris was preceded in death by her mother, Rita Ruiz; father, Fernando Luciano; brothers, Jorge Alvarado and Heriberto Ruis; and beloved son, Gilbert Diaz. She is survived by her brothers, Fernando Ruis of New York, and Luis Reyes; sister-in-law, Cheryl of Arizona; daughter, Iris Lehnerd of Florida; daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Joseph Moody, Helen and Anthony Alvarez, and Michele and Bruce Rico; son and daughter-in-law, Henry and Tennille Rice; along with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Las Vegas. Viewing will be 4-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, with memorial service 4:45-6 p.m., both at Bunkers Mortuary, 925 Las Vegas Blvd. N. Burial will be at noon, Saturday, Nov. 19, at Bunkers Memorial Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road, Las Vegas. Following the burial, we ask you to join us not to mourn our mother but to celebrate her life as she joins God in His Kingdom, at 4428 Los Reyes Court, Las Vegas, NV 89121, off Eastern and Harmon.

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