Luis roberto clemente

Vera and Roberto: Everlasting love, legacies

The final months of Vera Clemente’s life were filled with beautiful images and vivid dreams.

Her husband, , was a constant presence in these visions, she would tell others. He’d pick her up in a brand-new Cadillac and they would drive around Puerto Rico, just like the old days. They’d smile at each other as they motored past pristine sidewalks and perfectly manicured lawns. She described contemporary buildings and an immaculate baseball field.

It felt like heaven.

“I remember telling Mom that the dreams sound amazing and what you are describing is what we hope for Roberto Clemente Sports City in the future -- but the only problem is that you are in the car with Dad,” said Luis Clemente, the couple’s middle son. “He’s picking you up and taking you with him. That’s the part that worries me. She would just smile and tell me not to worry because as long as she was with Dad that everything is perfect.”

[Note: A version of this story originally ran on MLB.com in September 2020.]

The annual Roberto Clemente Day, which was establishe

Vera Zabala

Puerto Rican philanthropist (1941–2019)

Vera Zabala

Born

Vera Cristina Zabala Vivada


(1941-03-06)March 6, 1941

Carolina, Puerto Rico

DiedNovember 16, 2019(2019-11-16) (aged 78)

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Other namesVera Clemente
Occupationphilanthropist
Years active1964-2019
Known forchair of the Roberto Clemente Foundation, founder of the Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente
SpouseRoberto Clemente
Children3; Including Roberto Jr.

Vera Zabala Clemente (March 6, 1941 – November 16, 2019) was a Puerto Rican philanthropist who was the head of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. She founded a sports education facility in Puerto Rico and was a Goodwill Ambassador for Major League Baseball. She was the wife of baseball player Roberto Clemente, who died in 1972, and the mother of sportscaster Roberto Clemente Jr. She went to the White House in 2003 to receive her husband's posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Early life

Vera Cristina Zabala was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico in 1941. She g

Vera Clemente

Vera Clemente

Born

Vera Cristina Zabala Vivada


March 6, 1941

Puerto Rico

DiedNovember 16, 2019 (aged 78)

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Occupationphilanthropist
Years active1964-2019
Known forchair of the Roberto Clemente Foundation, founder of the Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente

Vera Clemente (March 6, 1941 – November 16, 2019) was a Puerto Rican philanthropist. She was the head of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. She founded a sports education center in Puerto Rico, and was a Goodwill Ambassador for Major League Baseball.

She was the wife of baseball player Roberto Clemente, who died in 1972, and the mother of sportscaster Roberto Clemente Jr. She went to the White House in 2003 to receive her husband's posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Clemente died of a short-illness on November 16, 2019 at a San Juan, Puerto Rico hospital, aged 78.[1][2]

References

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