PAULINE M. "Oma" VENTI

PAULINE M. VENTI ("Oma"), age 93, passed away Monday, December 19, 2016 in Hemet, CA. She was born Pauline Magdalena Lang in Munich, Germany on November 23, 1923. She was fierce in her joy, generosity, and strength. Despite the adversity of her life -- losing her parents in childhood, growing up in an orphanage, watching the bombs of WWII destroy her city and friends -- she felt blessed by the love and support of those around her. She married Albert Venti, a US soldier, who brought her to the US and with whom she raised their three children. After her husband passed, she became the devoted nanny to four children. She developed a particularly strong bond with the youngest, "her baby", for whom she wrote the book "A Dog's Life". Late in life, she returned to a local college to resume her education, many years after WWII disrupted it. She excelled, despite being an immigrant and many years older than her classmates, and she spoke of this accomplishment proudly. She loved to explore, whether that was to Germany, the Salt Flats, or just a beautiful flower garden. She radiated joy in her words and her smile, and would sacrifice anything for those she loved. She is survived by her three children (Martha White, Luci Anderson and Al Venti), her "adopted daughter" Gayle McDowell, her "adopted grandchildren" (Davis Stockum McDowell and Tobin Lang McDowell, who carries her name), and her many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spoke proudly of each of them, and they will hold on to her fierce and loving spirit forever. Services will be held 3pm on Friday, December 30th at Miller-Jones Mortuary in Hemet, CA.