Maria Velez, 70, of Lancaster, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Lancaster General Hospital with her daughters by her side. Born September 17, 1944 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, she was the wife of the late Carlos H. Velez, who died April 24, 2009. She was the daughter of the late Antonio and Maria (Rivera) Rodriguez. Maria was a member of San Juan Bautista Catholic Church. She retired from Vallorbs Jewel Inc. in 2006 where she had been employed for 16 years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, cooking, her puzzle books, gardening, and walking her dog Pudgy. Maria is survived by 2 sons: Edgar Acosta and his wife Maria and Carlos H. Velez, Jr. and his wife Milly Tiarado, all of Lancaster; 3 daughters: Nancy Soto, Lizette Velez-Collazo and her husband Heribrto, and Ada Marquez and her companion Kenneth Thompson, all of Lancaster; a brother, Alfredo Rodriguez of Puerto Rico; 5 sisters: Teodosia Diaz and her husband Luis, Juana Rodriguez, Antonia Rosado and her husband Emilio, Maximina Cassanova and her husband Flores Marquez, all of Puerto Rico, and Aida Rodriguez of Syracuse, NY; 9 grandchildren; and 1 great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by a great-grandson. She will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 PM Saturday, February 21, 2015 at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church, 425 S. Duke St., Lancaster with the Rev. Allan F. Wolfe as Celebrant. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 PM Friday, February 20, 2015 at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 E. King St, Lancaster and again one hour before the Mass at the church on Saturday.