Elvira ( Vera ) L. Baca

Elvira ( Vera ) L. Baca passed away peacefully on November 8, 2024. She was born on October 4, 1930 to Maria G. Levario and Jose C. Levario in Barstow, Texas. 

The family moved to Casa Grande in early 1931. She grew up and attended public schools here and was Valedictorian of the graduating class of 1948 from Casa Grande Union High School. It was the custom then at the high school to hold a special assembly toward the end of every school year to introduce the year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian to the entire student body. But in 1948 no assembly was scheduled. No fanfare for this little Hispanic girl. When she was told she was the year’s Valedictorian, the senior class sponsor just simply walked into one of Vera’s classes and told her she would have to give a speech at the graduation exercises. He did not offer to help in any way. She was on her own. Vera did not mind. She was used to this kind of treatment. They would very often leave her name off the honor roll even though she was making straight A’s. 

Vera didn’t let this treatment bother her because two weeks before graduation the local bank hired her full-time for the position of secretary to the Branch Manager. They loved her and she loved her job. She didn’t have to go looking for a job. The job came looking for her. The Branch Manager was promoted to Vice President. He had to move to Phoenix. He offered Vera the opportunity to go to Phoenix and continue to be his secretary at the Home Office. Her parents wouldn’t hear of it. They thought she was too young to leave home, move out, and go to the big city.

 And, by the way, the Speaker at graduation evening, a well known Philosopher and Lecturer, complimented Vera on her valedictory speech. 

She married Mike B. Baca of Florence in 1950 and son, Robert Michael Baca, joined the family in 1960. When Mike and Vera went in to obtain a marriage license, the County Clerk pulled out his billfold and told them he would pay for the license, “You two make it work.” They had been married for 47 years when Mike died in 1997. 

Vera earned a BA degree in Education, “with distinction” in 1973 and an MA degree in Education in 1975 from Arizona State University. 

She loved teaching and on her first year in the classroom was awarded the “Rookie Teacher of the Year” award by the faculty. Several years later she was again honored by her peers who presented her with the “Super Teacher of the Year” award. 

Before becoming a classroom teacher, she worked as Administrative Secretary to the Superintendent at Casa Grande Union High School. He would often tell her: “Vera, you can do the difficult stuff right away, and the impossible takes you just a little longer.” She retired from teaching in 1989 after 32 years in education. 

Vera and her husband loved to travel and also enjoyed their summer home in Lakeside, Arizona in the beautiful White Mountains. 

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and loved spending time with family and especially with her three grandsons and great-grandchildren who were the sunshine in her life. 

She loved reading and sewing and enjoyed all types of needlework including knitting, crochet, piecing and quilting and made numerous beautiful quilts and afghans for family members. 

She was a caring and generous person who donated to numerous charities. She loved God from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. She loved life, family, and country. 

She lived in Casa Grande for 71 years, was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, served as a financial counter, and was a member of the Rosary Makers group. 

She moved to Tucson in 2001 and was a devoted parishioner and strong supporter of St. Odilia Catholic Community. 

Vera was pre-deceased by her parents, Maria and Jose Levario; husband, Mike Baca; son, Robert Michael Baca; brothers, Anthony, Robert, Richard and Ralph Levario; and sisters, Frances Dekker and Lupe Calderon. 

She is survived by brothers, Matt Levario of Scottsdale, Baltazar Levario of Scottsdale, Carlos Levario of Chandler, and Robert G. Levario of Gilbert; sisters, Margaret Segura of Santa Maria, California, Virginia Levario of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Carmelita Levario of Cathedral City, California; and three grandsons, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Services Friday, November 22, 2024 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 201 N. Picacho St., Casa Grande, Arizona. Rosary 8:30 a.m., Mass 9:00 a.m., Burial to follow at Mt. View Cemetery. If desired, her wish in lieu of flowers, would be a donation to the Casa Grande Valley Historical Society. 

J. Warren Funeral services are handling arrangements.