Elvera "Vera" DeRose

1922 - 2011

Born November 7th, 1922, Vera DeRose passed from this life to be with her husband Alfred and the Lord on Friday, January 7th, 2011. Mom fought a courageous battle at the end of her life waiting to join Dad on the anniversary of his death, January 7th, 2006.

Mom and Dad were married 65 years prior to his death in 2006. The family takes such pride in what Mom accomplished throughout her life. With her mother passing when she was but 4 years old, she was raised by her father and grandmother. She grew up working alongside her grandmother as well as in the fields picking fruit. She married her childhood sweetheart at the age of 18. Mom and Dad attended nearly every event their children and grandchildren were involved with, from basketball games and baseball tournaments throughout California and the Western States and FFA events as far away as Washington DC and Chicago. Her home was always open to friends and family. There are fond memories of having friends at dinner and the children bringing home friends from school for weekends and holidays. She became a second "Mom" to our friends. We can still hear the wash going and how she was sure to have our clothes cleaned and pressed before we left back to school. Mom was a great traveler. She and Dad pulled their travel trailer through the United States and Canada, sometimes gone for weeks at a time. Mom's passion was her children and grandchildren. Within minutes she would strike up a conversation with anyone about her children and grandchildren and how successful they all were. There was never a question of her love or support. Her family was the love of her life. Mom was the life of the party. Even in the past year you could find her on the dance floor enjoying a special event. Mom was sure to see that many Portuguese traditions became a part of all our lives, including the famous Easter Sweetbread. In the past couple of years she became the queen of "homemade" beaded jewelry and blankets giving them away to her family and friends.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her husband Alfred, and her sister Alice and brother John.

She is survived by her 5 children, Evelyn Vorburger of Phoenix, Alfred Jr. and his wife Jill of Atascadero, Anthony and his wife Angie of Tulare, Steve and his wife Diane of Arroyo Grande, Kathy Rose and her husband Richard of Hanford, 15 Grandchildren and 23 Great-Grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Gizela DeRose of Hanford.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Hanford. Mass of the resurrection will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011, at St. Brigid Church followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Hanford.

Family is requesting that any remembrances may be sent to the Adventist Health Hospice Society or the donor's favorite church or charity. The family would also like to recognize the care given by the Hospice group, but more special to the family was the staff at the Easy Living Senior Home. These ladies are all part of our new family.

Arrangements are under the direction of Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Services Chapel in Hanford.