Verna Camero Ventura

1934 - 2018

Groton - Verna Camero Ventura, 84, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home with her family at her side on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018.

She was born May 17, 1934 in Pahala Ka'u, Hawaii. Verna was married to Fred R. Ventura who passed away in January of this year.

She is survived by her sisters Felicidad Tano and Loretta Mendoza, both from Hawaii. Eleven children and their spouses, Fred Jr. and Elizabeth Ventura, Yolanda and John Upholz, Rodrick and Regina Ventura, Vernon Ventura and Assunta Lanphier, Robert and Margaret Ventura, James and Maria Ventura, Loreen and Robert Panucci, Daniel and Tomoko Ventura, Clarence and Karen Ventura, Alicia and Johnny Lundy, Sandra and Lawrence Avery. Her twenty-two grandchildren; Michelle, Jamie Anne, Rodrick Jr., April, Yoshitaka, Steven, Joycelyn, Christina, Seth, Cassandra, Jason, Alicia, Veronica, Renée, Jerilyn, Vincent, James, Nicholas, Robert Jr., David, Jonathan, Lana and eight great-grandchildren; Mikayla, Ella Mae, Amiliana, Sophia, Anneilse, Kai, Keanu and Nalani and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her daughter Patricia Camero Ventura; parents Basilio Camero and Josepha (Calderon) Camero; siblings Benigna Camero, Daniel Camero, Antonina Castro, Lorenzo Camero, Felicisimo Camero and Esther Camero.

Verna was an active woman who enjoyed traveling, taking rides on back country roads, the outdoors, fishing, gardening and bird-watching. She was an active volunteer with local organizations including Soup Kitchen of Groton and in the 1970's until 1980 she was a member of the Ladies Guild at the Shephard of the Sea Church in Groton, Conn. and a pass member of the Filipino-American Association. She enjoyed bowling with her team at Holiday Bowl of Groton for several years. She managed the American-Mexican Restaurant in Hawaii. She proudly owned and managed the business Quick Stop Deli in Groton in the mid 1980's. In addition to raising her 11 children, she found time to attend their sporting events, band/choir concerts, crocheting, upholster furniture and cake decorating. She also enjoyed music and singing. She recently demonstrated her artistic talent of drawing and painting. Most of all she had a passion for cooking, to entertain, and take care of family and friends. Family and friends never left her home without eating. We will forever miss her 'SMILE'

Verna struggled with Pancreatic Cancer. The family would like to give very special thanks to Dr. Joseph Romanello of Westerly, RI, Dr. Mical Campbell, Dr. Richard Hellman from Smilow Cancer Care, and her nurse Rachel and staff from Center for Hospice Care Southeast Connecticut.

Calling hours will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton. A funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial is private for the family. Please visit www.byles.com for directions or to sign the guestbook.

Donations in her honor may be made to Center for Hospice care, Southeastern CT, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich, CT 06360.