Margarita Velasco Gonzales

Our beloved Mrs. Margarita Velasco Roca de Gonzales (lovingly known as Malala and Lala) exited this earth peacefully on August 25th, 2025. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories in our hearts.

Lalita was born on December 25th, 1935, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. She was the fourth daughter of Don Eduardo Velasco and Doña Amelia Roca Peirano. Her older sisters, Beatriz, Miriam, and Martha gave Lalita the nickname, “pico” because her lips were red like a rose.

After graduating from high school at Colegio Santana as a member of the first graduating class, Malala traveled to La Paz to visit her grandmother, Margarita Peirano de Baldivieso. She stayed in La Paz to study and become a bilingual secretary. While working at the Instituto Geográfico Interamericano, Malala met engineer Mr. Adolfo Luchini Gonzales. On August 29th, 1956, Malala and Adolfo were married, going on to have three boys, Joey, Roberto, Adolfo jr. (Chiquito), and their beloved little girl, Lizzie.

Malala and Adolfo moved several times with their family, providing their children and grandchildren opportunities to connect with and learn from the world. Moving from Santa Cruz, to La Paz, to Brazil, and to the United States, Lala always created a home, not only for herself and her children, but also for anyone who stopped by for a cafecito. “No se olvide que está en SU casa, (don’t forget that you are in YOUR home),” she would say, no matter who stopped by, at what time, and in which continent. Lalita’s table was frequently filled with her sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, with whom she would laugh, eat, and watch the latest (and oldest!) novelas and movies. Lala’s house was always “no pomp and circumstance”—a place where all could come as they are and be themselves.

Lala was the most present and loving grandmother to eight grandchildren—Laura, Tanya, Diego, Robertito, Eduardo, John Ricardo, Samuel, and Amelia. She was happiest surrounded by them, whether it was on a road trip across the country, posing for pictures

by the Christmas tree, or outside in the yard having contests to see who could sing the most songs.

In her later years, Lala’s memory was certainly imperfect, but there were things she never forgot: her love for her family, Santa Cruz, and music, particularly Andrea Bocelli (porque es muy lindo!). She sang with her full heart, whether she was teaching her grandchildren “Allá en el Rancho Grande,” “Gracias a la Vida,” “El Payaso Plim Plim,” or rocking the doggies to the sound of “tu tu, mi chiquitita.”

We know our Lalita is watching over us while drinking a café con leche, watching her favorite shows, and teasing her husband, who is undoubtedly happy to finally see her again.

Descanse en paz, Lalita querida. We will never forget you.