Barbara D. De Prima

FUNERAL HOME

Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home

836 E. Nees Ave.

Fresno, California

Barbara De Prima Obituary

Barbara D. De Prima, a resident of Fresno, passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at the age of 75, at home with family by her side. She was born in San Francisco and was the daughter of Carl R. McKinley, owner of McKinley Decorating Studio in Fresno and Phyllis Sleight of Cooks Town, Australia.

Barbara was a graduate of Clovis High School; class of 1950. She had worked as a pharmacy assistant at Clovis Drugs, Longs Drugs, and she, alongside her husband, Emil De Prima, owned and operated Jackson's Apothecary for 12 years in downtown Fresno until she retired in 1984. Barbara was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Parish for many years and enjoyed shopping for antiques and spending time with her family. She was a loving and devoted wife and a strong believer in God; a wonderful, loving and caring mother and grandmother; an inspiration to her family and friends with examples of love with understanding and the ability to listen and give noteworthy advice; and a very compassionate animal lover. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Terri Gray; step-brother, Howard Weiss; and both parents. Barbara is survived by Emil De Prima, her loving husband and soul mate of 21 years; daughters, Debbie Gray Jolly and her fiance', Stan Schofield; and Lisa Gray and her husband Gordon; sisters, Ellie Steinhauer and her husband Larry, Jan Kanady, and Joan Smith and her husband Jim; and sister-in-law, Patti Leonardo. Noni, as her grandchildren affectionately called her, had five grandchildren, Kerri Mastro Hansen and her husband Frank, Jamie L. Jolly, Chris Gray and his wife Maria, Michael Gray and Lyndsay Gray; two great-grandchildren, Mathew Gray and Sophia Hansen; and many friends, nieces and nephews. Recitation of the Rosary and a Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 2838 N. West Ave., Fresno, corner of West and Michigan Streets, on Friday, November 2, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, 264 N. Blythe Ave., Fresno. Remembrances may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Building and Maintenance Fund, 2838 N. West Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93705 or St. Agnes Hospice, P.O. Box 27350, Fresno, Ca. 93729. WHITEHURST Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home 1525 E. Saginaw Fresno, Ca. (559) 227-4048

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Published by Fresno Bee on Oct. 31, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Barbara De Prima

7 Entries

Marsha Pope

November 10, 2007

Debbie and Family:
At this sad time please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope that all the wonderful memories that you have shared together help ease the sorrow. Know that your mother is resting peacefully without any pain or suffering. What a wonderful reunion she must be having with Terry and all her other family and friends.

Peace to all of you,
Dennis & Marsha Pope
Clovis, CA

Kathy Gray

November 5, 2007

To my wonderful family,
My heart aches for all of you. I wish I could be there to hold all of you during this time. I had so much love and respect for Barbara. She was truly my hero. A smile that never ended. She will be missed. But always in our hearts. I love you guys.

Irwin Chow

November 4, 2007

Meeting a very friendly and professional typist while working at Longs in 1972, Barbara always maintained that attitude over the years. Then I met Emil and worked with him, and continued to see their love blossom. Everytime there was a visit or conversation with Emil and Barbara, their love showed through and over the years, we still enjoyed a smile with each other. Condolences to Emil and Barbara's daughters and family.

The Wells Family

November 2, 2007

Debbie and Family~

you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
god bless

October 31, 2007

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God: "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God answered: "Among the many Angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

"But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy," said the child.

"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your Angel's love and be happy," said God.

"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?"

"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your Angel will teach you how to speak", answered God.

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to You?" asked the child.

God said: "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?" worried the child.

"Your Angel will defend you even if it means risking its life," assured God.

"But I will always be sad because I will not see You anymore," sighed the child.

God said: "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way for you to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child - in a hurry - asked softly: "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my Angel's name?

Your Angel's name is of no importance, you will call your Angel "Mommy"