Vesta Marsden Obituary

Vesta Elvera Marsden
November 13, 1926 - October 21, 2011
She loved a good adventure and in her nearly 85 years of life, Vesta Marsden of Modesto, had many.Vesta was born on November 13, 1926 in Oakland, CA and grew up in Modesto; a graduate of Modesto High School and UC Berkeley. She worked for Shell Laboratories before setting sail on a freighter to see the world. It was on this adventure that she fell in love with a young Australian who would become her husband of 49 years. Together they raised 5 children and a myriad of pets in their Modesto home.Vesta worked for Modesto Jr. College for many years, helping countless students through the nursing program. She was an active member of the Sierra Club and the American Youth Hostels. Vesta enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, beach combing at Irish Beach, classical & Celtic music, and a good game of Scrabble. She loved her family with a passion and that love was returned in full measure.Vesta is preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Marsden and her brother, Robert Horne.Aside from the many friends and relatives scattered throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the US, those who will miss her most are her 5 children; Jenny Marsden, Sandra (Robert) Taniguchi, Catherine (Michael) Purple, Michael (Linda) Marsden, and Paul Marsden, her sisters; Irene Houston and Frances Posthumus, her eleven grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren, and her beloved dog, Nova.She will be missed tremendously, but her family will carry with them her kind heart and her love of adventure. A celebration of Vesta's life will be held in her home on November 5, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sierra Club of America.
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Published by Modesto Bee on Oct. 26, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Vesta Marsden

6 Entries

Andre

November 24, 2022

I met Vesta back in 1979. I was 16 years old and was visiting my sister Karen in Modesto. She owned a woman´s clothing store called "Fashions by Karen Lynn" on Prescott Rd. My sister was relentless in promoting her little boutique and would come up with different promotions. That summer she decided to do a raffle and had everyone that came through the store fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win a shopping spree at her store. I had asked if I could draw the winner and she agreed I could draw the winner. One day when I was working in the store, Vesta came into the store and we struck up a conversation. I liked her immediately. She was very sweet and very humble. I asked her to fill out a ticket and she would be entered in the upcoming raffle. She said "Oh I don´t know. I never win anything." I encouraged her again and she finally gave in and filled out her info. After a few minutes she waived goodbye and left the store. I put her entry in my pocket and decided I would purposefully draw her name and I did. I was so taken with her that I wanted her to win
And She Did. Haha! I remember calling her at home to tell her and she just did not believe me. She even asked if I had something to do with it. I laughed and assured her that I did not. Years later I did admit to my sister what I did. We had a good laugh about it. It was a magical summer and Vesta was a magical spirit that made an impression on me. My Mother taught me to root for the underdog and I still do to this day. To Vesta´s family - I am sorry to hear of her passing but enjoyed reading her story here and trust she was loved so beautifully by all of you.

God Bless.

Andre Barron
Los Angeles CA

November 8, 2012

Vesta was my Mom (Catharine Shuey Bland's) best friend at UC Berkeley. I have some pictures Vesta took and of the two of them. They were the only women in their science classes. They lost touch after Vesta went to Australia the first time. Mom died in 2008. I wish I could have gotten them together before that. Best to you. Thomas Bland, Lake Oswego, Oregon

Sandra Uyeshiro

November 5, 2011

Vesta and I worked side by side at MJC for many years from the time I started until she retired. She was the lab tech for my Anatomy classes, but she was also my mentor and friend. I was new to a lot of things when I first started and she patiently taught me what I needed to know about the lab materials so that I would be successful. She kept all the equipment in perfect order and assisted me in any way she could. She worked one on one with the students who would be going into the health professions and although she was strict, they loved her. Vesta loved the outdoors and especially Point Reyes. She was a loving wife and mother and was always talking about her children and grandchildren with pride. We lost touch the last few years and I am sorry for that. I am privileged to have known her.

Pamela Upton

November 1, 2011

Vesta worked with me at MJC as a lab assistant for my anatomy labs. She was wonderful, one of the best lab techs ever. She was dependable and friendly and so organized. She helped me to assimilate all the models and slides when I first came to MJC. She was a friend and what a privilege it was to know her. My prayers are for her family and I will always remember Vesta for what she did and the kind person she was.

October 27, 2011

It was only 4 years ago that Vesta made her last trip to Australia. It was my greatest delight to have her and Frances stay with me for a week. It gave me the opportunity to repay in the smallest way some of the wonderful hospitality given to Neil and I on our visits to the US. We had a great time catching up with many of Vesta's friends from her 1st trip to Australia, lunching aboard a boat on the harbour, a trip down to Canberra, we did fit a lot into a week.
Vesta, you will be remembered with much love and fondness.
Chris and Neil Cochran

October 26, 2011

I never got to meet Mrs.Marsden but have heard many stories about her through Paul.
I do know she had amazing strength and will power to pull her through all she went through these last few months.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of her children,just know she is still watching over each and everyone of you from above and you will see her again one day.
Blessings and Prayers...Audrey Moorsider

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