Dorene Ann Heintz

Dorene Ann Heintz passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2015, at the age of 71 from pancreatic cancer. She is preceded in death by her father, Louis Salvo. She is survived by her mother Eleanor, husband Dennis, daughter Stephanie and husband Patrick, son Michael and wife Chloe. Additionally, her grandchildren include, Vittoriana, Sophia, Keturah, and Bryan, plus many more honorary children, godchildren and grandchildren.

Dorene was born in Oakland and, with her parents, Louis and Eleanor Salvo; she lived in Oakland and El Cerrito. She attended Holy Names High School and then worked at Union Carbide in San Francisco. In 1962 Dorene met her future husband, Dennis, on a blind date at a dance at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. They had a long distance romance as Dennis lived in Fresno. The love grew and they were married in El Cerrito in August, 1964 and settled in Fresno. Stephanie and Michael were born in Fresno; however, the family also lived in Selma, Fort Benning, Georgia, and San Jose before settling in Roseville in 1985.

Dorene was a loving homemaker and mother. She placed others first and always spoiled her family. Her priority was caring for her parents and being Noni to Sophie and Vita. She was an extraordinary friend to many and used her keen memory, organizational skills, and resourcefulness to help others. She was the resource to many who needed a recipe, travel, sewing, gardening information, and details about people and events that occurred anytime in the past. Her greatest asset was her caring and warm smile.

Dorene and Denny loved to travel and visited many countries, states, national parks; and numerous cities many with the Amish Country Quilt and Craft group. She loved the times at Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Yosemite, and Monterey, but her favorite destination was the happiest place on earth, Disneyland.

She knew that she was blessed to have lots of friends, but only when she was diagnosed with cancer did she find out just how many people cared about her. She was so grateful for every card, e-mail, visit, phone call, and offer to help.

She never complained about her illness, maintaining her glowing smile and frequently expressed her appreciation for the very special care she received from the doctors, nurses and staff at Sutter Medical Center, Roseville.

Dorene was cremated and there will be a celebratory Mass at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 4450 Granite Drive, Rocklin, CA on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 10:30 am. A gathering will follow in the church hall. She has left instructions that attendees are to bring only happy, funny stories to share with family and friends.

The family requests that any memorial donations go to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation,

P O Box 1848, Longmont, CO.(http://www.npcf.us/)