Janie Vela, 74, better known as Janie Saenz passed away peacefully on Thursday November 22, 2007, Thanksgiving Day, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on September 8, 1934 to Solomon and Mary Cadriel, Janie was the eldest of her brothers and sisters.

She was married to Ruben Saenz in 1955. Together they had one daughter, Alvina Saenz. Janie's life long work included owning and operating her restaurant business for over 54 years. Her first business was in Van Vleck, from there she moved to Bay City and owned and operated, "Saenz Café" for 19 years. She then relocated to "Saenz Café" in Van Vleck, where she was known to many people. After being married for 23 years, Ruben Saenz passed away at the age of 59 in 1978.

By this time, Janie had been in the restaurant business for close to 25 years. On March 8, 1980, Janie Married Epolito Vela and began what would be a lasting love affair for over 27 years. Being married to "Polo" brought along a new adventure of becoming a stepmother to Raymond Vela, Paul Vela Jr., Mary Henderson, and Ruben Vela.

Janie was a loving, very well known, respected Business owner. After marrying "Polo" Vela she opened Vela's Taco House in Sugar Valley. In 1991 she took the biggest and hardest hit of all. Losing her only daughter Alvina Juarez to cancer at the early age of 38. Throughout that rough battle, Janie knew she had to be strong. She went back to work at Vela's and it was not until Hwy 35 expanded to a two lane Hwy. that she finally decided to put down the "big stainless steel spoon" and retired in 1996.

Alvina left Janie 4 grandchildren to cherish Felicia Randle & husband DeAdrian, Priscilla Martinez & husband Vincent, Maria Juarez & husband Curtis and Ruben Juarez & wife Tammy.
Janie and Polo loved spending quick weekend trips to their favorite little spot, "Cashotta." One thing she always treasured was that her great grand children Mikail, Jajuan, & Alvina Randle, Brandon Miller, Alexis & Roxanna Martinez, Janie, Malcolm & Yvonne Franklin and Raylynn Faith Juarez were all next door to her. He great grandkids were the apple of her eye. She could not go anywhere in town without having a story to tell them. She instilled a lot of faith into all of her kids. Her daily ritual was to bless every one of them each morning before going to school. Whether it was blessing them with the "sign of the cross" or just praying a quick prayer to make sure they had a wonderful day. Two weeks after Thanksgiving in 2005, Janie was diagnosed with Liver Cancer. Throughout her struggle with her illness, she would never let it get her down. She always said, "when I die, don't cry for me, I have had a wonderful life. I have traveled the world and no one can ask God for a better life than what he has given to me." She was a fighter until the very end, never letting anything slow her down. She was preceded in death by two sisters Estella Escobar & Mary Rodriguez & brother Solomon Cadriel.

She leaves behind a loving husband and devoted family to remember her. Sisters Rosie Morales, Patsy Longoria, Sophie Navarras; and brothers Joe, Frank & Lupe Cadriel. She was a very strong willed woman. No matter what came her way, good or bad. She made the best of it.

Rest in peace Grandma and sleep with the angels. Hold the door open for us and we will meet you again at the Golden Gate.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Mass is 10:00 am Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with Father Gerry Cernoch officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.