On October 27, 2022, Carla Jean Velasquez (Henke), 68, passed away quickly with her daughter by her side after a recent diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer, at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA. Carla Jean is survived by her husband Edward Velasquez of Palm Springs, CA, daughter Erica Jean McNeel, son-in-law Brett and 3 grandchildren; Liam, Loralei Jean, and Loraine of Spokane, WA; stepson Edward Jr and his wife, Nioni, and granddaughter Melena of Cathedral City, CA; brother Don Henke and his wife Diana of Spokane, WA; and Donatello and Leonardo her 2 desert tortoises.

Carla Jean Henke was born in Richland, WA, September 23, 1954, to Carl and Lorane Henke. She was the 2nd of 3 children. Dale, Carla, and Don were raised in Spokane Washington close to many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Carla married first husband Rick Weber and moved to Palm Springs, CA in April 1977. Carla started working at the Desert Sun in September 1977 where she worked for 42 years and retired in June 2019.

Carla had her only child on December 25,1982, and raised her daughter as a single parent, sometimes working 2 jobs. Carla was close with many coworkers over the years enjoying company parties, potlucks, costume competitions, lunches, and book exchanges. Her work family was close to her till the very end and will greatly miss her. Carla met Edward in 1988, after a long relationship they married in August 2003.  Carla enjoyed her retirement traveling to see grandchildren, adventures with Edward, lunches with former coworkers, baking, and tons of reading. Before her diagnosis Carla enjoyed a trip to Washington in June 2022 to see her daughter and grandchildren, her brother, and cousins. In September for her birthday, she and Edward spent 2 weeks in Phoenix for football games and a Michael Bublé concert. Her daughter and grandchildren made it to her bedside to say their final goodbyes.