An elegant woman always said “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready…” and now, it was her time to go. On the morning of Wednesday July 29, 2009, Wanda Louise Vreeburg peacefully closed her eyes, joining her husband, Harry, just two days shy of the fifth anniversary of his passing. Raised in Rockford Illinois, Wanda moved West on a train to California at the age of 16 and never looked back. Her “life is just a bowl of cherries” attitude, combined with a hint of stubbornness enabled her to conquer many severe personal challenges. With her constant focus placed on her family, Wanda refused to allow her diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 40 to be anything more than a simple bump in the road. Ten days after being told she would never golf again due to lung cancer complications, Wanda was swinging a broom on the back lawn for the upcoming Seascape getaway. At the top of Woodside Hills, people of all ages came to visit a constantly endearing “Missy V,” who was never once seen without a beautiful lipstick-highlighted smile and a flawless hairdo.
Mom never missed a Giants’ baseball game and would have been more than pleased to see her favorite pitcher, Matt Cain, win in the tenth inning on the day of her passing. The Giants were not alone on Wednesday, however, as she also left the ballpark with a victory in her own set of extra innings.
Wanda, the quintessential wife and mother is survived by her children Sheila C. Vreeburg of Woodside, H. Michael Vreeburg (Diane) of Half Moon Bay, Cathy Ann Vreeburg of Woodside, Jan Kevin Vreeburg (Joan) of Santa Rosa, Sandy V. Lees (James) of Menlo Park and her grandchildren Hayden M. Vreeburg (Jolene), Kevin J. Vreeburg, Ashley A. Giannini (Chris), Timothy R. Salveson, Jonathan H. Salveson, Ryan M. Salveson (Pia), Sean K. Vreeburg, Holly I. Vreeburg , Daniel W. Lees and Missy K. Lees, three great grandchildren, Charlotte Lynn Vreeburg, Lane Michael Giannini, and Cole Patrick Giannini, her sister Carolyn Britto, brother James Orebaugh and sister-in-law Sylveen Fabbro. Also surviving are her “other kids” Kathy Stevens and Teri Price, and her treasured friend Stephen Woolery, who provided endless love and support along with her adoring German Shepherd, Captain H.
The family would especially like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Sequoia Hospital, Dr. Sigal Tene and her staff and Dr. Hardwin Mead and his staff. Their loving care enabled Mom’s bright smile and gorgeous blue eyes to shine a little longer.
At Wanda’s request, no services will be held, “No funerals! Oh, ish!” A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Sequoia Hospital Foundation in our Mom’s memory would be very much appreciated.
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