Christie C. Vera, 82, of Quakertown, formerly a long-time resident of the Pennridge area, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, in her residence at Independence Court of Quakertown. She was the beloved wife of Sergio H. Vera, with whom she had celebrated 57 years of marriage on August 30.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late James Francis, Jr., and Christie (Coyne) Nellis.

Christie was a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1947 and a Master of Science degree the following year, both from the University of Pennsylvania.

She began her teaching career in 1948 at Wallingford Elementary School, in the Nether Providence School District.

In 1951 she met Sergio H. Vera, a member of the Chilean Navy. They married in 1952.

Upon moving to Hilltown Township in 1954, Mrs. Vera accepted employment with the Pennridge School District. For the next 32 years, she would teach at Hilltown Elementary School, the Perkasie Third Street Elementary School, and the Perkasie Elementary School on Seventh Street, from which she retired in 1986.

The Veras moved to Chile, South America, in 1987, where they resided for the next 12 years, returning to this area in 1999.

Mrs. Vera was a founding member and board member of the local Friends of the Handicapped. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Eastern Star. While in Chile, she had been an active volunteer with the League Against Epilepsy.

Formerly a member of St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perkasie, she had been a Luther League advisor.

Christie enjoyed reading, sewing and other handwork, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and woodworking.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Janet Vera, and her husband, Richard Morrison, of Northport, Maine; and two sisters: Elizabeth Nellis LaBree, of Seaford, Delaware; and Ethel Yurchak, of Elverson.

Her Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at 7:30 PM in the Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, 87 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960. Family and friends may call Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 6:30 PM until time of service.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Christie’s memory to VNA Hospice of St. Luke’s, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christie C. (Nellis) Vera, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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