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Deloris Zugenbuhler Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Deloris Zugenbuhler
3 Entries
Paul Mercogliano
July 8, 2006
My deepest condolences to Dee's family and friends.
I had the privilege of working with Dee in my first state job with the Department of Administration in Phoenix, Arizona from 1981 until 1988. From the start, Dee was so kind to me. She taught me organizational tools that I still use to this day. Work was not always a fun experience, but Dee made it fun. She told it like it was. She was like my "other mother" while I was at work. I will never forget the kindness she extended to me and my family after my grandmother passed away... she brought buy some food to the house for me and my mom (She lived some miles from us). We {me, my mom and Dee) participated in "Hands Across America." It was a very hot day in late May, and we looked for every bit of shade we could. We went to eat at Luby's cafeteria on Bell Road afterwards. It was a memory of a lifetime. Dee also taught me the importance of donating to the food bank. I think of her every time I bring a turkey and other essentials to the local food bank. My heart sank when Eric told me his mom had passed away. This Earth lost a beautiful soul, but I know we will see Dee again. For now, I have rich memories of a beautiful, kind and nurturing woman. Thanks for the memories, Dee.
Vicki Distefano-Perbeck
June 21, 2006
Dear Jeri and Eric;
I almost addressed this to Deloris because I didn't see her at the nursing facility. I don't know what our conversation would have been. We probably would have taken that old adage, a trip down memory lane. I have alot of wonderful memories of Deloris, and here's a few.
I have not seen Deloris for many years. The last time was about 15 years ago. She was in town and came by to see my infant twins, Jessica and Michael. She brought the cutest gift. It was dish cloths sewn together and fashioned like baby bloomers. They were darling and hung in my kitchen until they browned with dust and age. And when they turned brown and had to be washed, they turned back into ordinary dish cloths. Very functional, to be used every-day when washing dishes. I didn't use them for that. My sentimentality compelled me to put them in the kids hope chest, alongside many other keepsakes, with a little note about what they once were, how cute it was, who gave it to me, and how I treasured it. That was my adult memory of Deloris.
I have many, many childhood memories of Deloris. I saw her more then even though she lived out of town with her family. My family visited them several times, when they lived in places like New Jersey and Maryland. Those were fabulously fun vacations. Deloris' house was kept like she kept her hair, clothes, nails, and everything else, meticulously immaculate. Verne used to tease that he'd give her grocery money and she came home with cleaning supplies, and no food. Believe that. Not just that Verne said that, but that's really what Deloris did. The funniest part of that story is that Deloris couldn't understand why she was being teased. Didn't everyone shop like that? Wherever they lived Deloris made sure we visited the most interesting and fun tourist attractions. One favorite of mine was Mount Vernon. Travel-ing to historic places like this is the best way to learn and the details are never forgotten. She told stories and made us laugh and laugh. We had so much fun. Best of all, Deloris was the most hospitable hostess and truly made us feel welcome. Which was no small task when your family consisted of five actively mischievious (euphemisms only when describing us) kids. She actually enjoyed having us visit. And we usually stayed quite a while.
Our families went to the lake on vacation too. We were pre teens and it was all of our mission to aggravate our parents and each other. We boated and swam and had tons of fun. The funniest thing Deloris did was not go near the water. Not because she couldn't swim, or ski, or was afraid of the water. She didn't want to get her hair wet and ruin her do. Like I said, she was meticulous about everything, down to the last hair.
When her family moved back to Kansas City, I went on a weekend camping trip with the Zugenbuhlers and their extended family. Everything was fun back then, and this was no exception. I was telling Deloris stupid things a teenager talks about and she was laughing at whatever I was saying. Somehow we started talking about those painful cramps we girls get every month. At that time, I said my friends were wearing the newest thing out, those somewhat controversial tampons. I said I was mad because my mom made me wear "maxi" mattresses. That was a facetious term for anything not light, like this new innovative invention. Deloris thought that was hilarious and laughed uncontrollably. But agreed that this was an accurate description of those huge, bulky restraints. Sometime after I returned home from my camping adventures, I was surprised to receive a manilla envelope in the mail. It was bigger than a busi-ness envelope but smaller than a standard size manilla envelope. I was excited to see the return address was from Deloris. I felt really important that Deloris would send me something. I opened it and found a light day pad. Perplexed I read her short note. "Vicki, a "mini" mattress for your comfort, mental and physical." I regret I didn't share these memories and more With her in person. I wished I would have made more of an effort to get to the nursing center. I know Deloris is as happy now as she was in my kid memories.
Love Vicki
Vicki Distefano-Perbeck
June 21, 2006
Dear Jeri and Eric;
I almost addressed this to Deloris because I didn't see her at the nursing facility. I don't know what our conversation would have been. We probably would have taken that old adage, a trip down memory lane. I have alot of wonderful memories of Deloris, and here's a few.
I have not seen Deloris for many years. The last time was about 15 years ago. She was in town and came by to see my infant twins, Jessica and Michael. She brought the cutest gift. It was dish cloths sewn together and fashioned like baby bloomers. They were darling and hung in my kitchen until they browned with dust and age. And when they turned brown and had to be washed, they turned back into ordinary dish cloths. Very functional, to be used every-day when washing dishes. I didn't use them for that. My sentimentality compelled me to put them in the kids hope chest, alongside many other keepsakes, with a little note about what they once were, how cute it was, who gave it to me, and how I treasured it. That was my adult memory of Deloris.
I have many, many childhood memories of Deloris. I saw her more then even though she lived out of town with her family. My family visited them several times, when they lived in places like New Jersey and Maryland. Those were fabulously fun vacations. Deloris' house was kept like she kept her hair, clothes, nails, and everything else, meticulously immaculate. Verne used to tease that he'd give her grocery money and she came home with cleaning supplies, and no food. Believe that. Not just that Verne said that, but that's really what Deloris did. The funniest part of that story is that Deloris couldn't understand why she was being teased. Didn't everyone shop like that? Wherever they lived Deloris made sure we visited the most interesting and fun tourist attractions. One favorite of mine was Mount Vernon. Travel-ing to historic places like this is the best way to learn and the details are never forgotten. She told stories and made us laugh and laugh. We had so much fun. Best of all, Deloris was the most hospitable hostess and truly made us feel welcome. Which was no small task when your family consisted of five actively mischievious (euphemisms only when describing us) kids. She actually enjoyed having us visit. And we usually stayed quite a while.
Our families went to the lake on vacation too. We were pre teens and it was all of our mission to aggravate our parents and each other. We boated and swam and had tons of fun. The funniest thing Deloris did was not go near the water. Not because she couldn't swim, or ski, or was afraid of the water. She didn't want to get her hair wet and ruin her do. Like I said, she was meticulous about everything, down to the last hair.
When her family moved back to Kansas City, I went on a weekend camping trip with the Zugenbuhlers and their extended family. Everything was fun back then, and this was no exception. I was telling Deloris stupid things a teenager talks about and she was laughing at whatever I was saying. Somehow we started talking about those painful cramps we girls get every month. At that time, I said my friends were wearing the newest thing out, those somewhat controversial tampons. I said I was mad because my mom made me wear "maxi" mattresses. That was a facetious term for anything not light, like this new innovative invention. Deloris thought that was hilarious and laughed uncontrollably. But agreed that this was an accurate description of those huge, bulky restraints. Sometime after I returned home from my camping adventures, I was surprised to receive a manilla envelope in the mail. It was bigger than a busi-ness envelope but smaller than a standard size manilla envelope. I was excited to see the return address was from Deloris. I felt really important that Deloris would send me something. I opened it and found a light day pad. Perplexed I read her short note. "Vicki, a "mini" mattress for your comfort, mental and physical." I regret I didn't share these memories and more With her in person. I wished I would have made more of an effort to get to the nursing center. I know Deloris is as happy now as she was in my kid memories.
Love Vicki
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