LaVerne Hope Pareto

LaVerne Hope Pareto Lifelong resident of San Rafael, died peacefully at her home on December 4, 2011 at the age of 89. During her final weeks of life, she was surrounded by her loving family and comforted in her final hours. Born on October 21, 1922, at home in downtown San Rafael, LaVerne was the fourth of five daughters to Zada and William Hackman. LaVerne took great pride in the fact that she was a Marin native, marrying and raising her family in San Rafael. LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, John L. Pareto, who passed away in 2001. LaVerne will be lovingly missed by her three children, Stanley Pareto of San Rafael, Cynthia Weston-Miller of Huntington Beach, and Carol Ann Appenrodt of San Rafael. LaVerne was a wonderful mother-in-law to Jim Appenrodt and Larry Miller. LaVerne was an adored Grandmother and leaves behind seven grandchildren: Chuck and Polly Pareto, Garrett and Tatiana Weston, and Jeffrey, Juliana Rose, and Joelle Hope Appenrodt. She was the proud great-grandmother of Shea and Sienna Weston. LaVerne is survived by her beloved older sister, Gloria Hoy of Vacaville as well as her treasured nephew and niece Barry Taylor and Cathy Maldonado. She leaves behind special memories with her extended Pareto family. As a young girl, LaVerne attended Short School and grammar school at E Street School, near her family home at the end of B Street in downtown San Rafael. LaVerne was known as the "tomboy" in her family, so when her mother, Zada Hackman was asked about her children, she would say "I have four daughters, and LaVerne." LaVerne graduated from San Rafael High School in 1940, where her athletic abilities led her basketball team, affectionately named "Hacky's Hicks," to many victories as she was Captain. LaVerne loved to recount stories from High School including the musical performance by she and fellow classmates on the typewriter keyboard and how it almost cost her basketball team a winning game as their star player, LaVerne, had to attend practice for the typewriter musical. LaVerne and family attended church services regularly at the First United Methodist Church. She and her sisters were active in the Church's youth organization called Epworth League. Other activities LaVerne enjoyed as a young girl included swimming and babysitting for local families. Her older sisters always looked out for her, especially Muriel, who helped her in many ways including landing her first big job after World War II at California Packing Co in San Francisco, where Muriel was already employed. Laverne remained close with her sisters throughout their lifetimes. As older married couples, LaVerne and her husband, John, along with sister, Gloria and her husband, Ralph, enjoyed many traveling adventures together. During World War II, LaVerne was privileged to help the war effort by operating the Teletype at Hamilton Field Air Base. Not only was she an expert typist, but her looks and beautiful legs earned her the title of "Miss Hamilton Field." At the age of 23, while working at Hamilton, LaVerne met and married Austin Goldberg and had her first child, son Stanley Edward. The marriage ended in divorce shortly after Stan was born. In 1949, LaVerne fell in love with and married lifelong San Rafael resident, John L. Pareto, who actually grew up just blocks from the Hackman family. As a newly married couple, LaVerne and John with little Stanley resided on Los Flores Avenue in the San Rafael Meadows where they established many lifelong friendships. LaVerne continued to commute to San Francisco, where she was still working at Cal Pac. As the years passed, Stanley became the proud big brother to two sisters, Cynthia Joan and Carol Ann. After the birth of her first daughter, Cynthia, LaVerne quit her job at Cal Pac and devoted herself to domestic activity. LaVerne and John moved their family to Terra Linda in 1963 enjoying wonderful new friendships with neighbors. LaVerne was a very dedicated wife and mother. Dinner was always on the table at 6:00 PM when Johnny arrived home from work. LaVerne was active in her children's school activities and sporting events. She was a fun-loving mom, always ready to join in with her children at play. A fond memory is that of watching our middle-aged mother still be able to do a handstand off the diving board at the local swim club. Once LaVerne had her three children off at school, she began helping John as bookkeeper for his ornamental iron business. Together they kept the business strong and the family life even stronger. Summer vacations were always special with the children. LaVerne and John never missed Friday night at the Elk's Club, where for 25 years, John called Bingo numbers and LaVerne sat there with multiple cards in front of her hoping to shout out "Bingo!" In her free time, LaVerne enjoyed gardening and the beauty of nature. In 1979, LaVerne, John, and youngest daughter, Carol Ann moved to Peacock Gap in San Rafael. With her Johnny retired, they both had more time to spend together cherishing their grandchildren, maintaining a lovely garden and continuing to enjoy Elk's Club activities. LaVerne filled her spare time as a volunteer for the Marin General Hospital Thrift Shop. She and John resided in Peacock Gap until he passed away in 2001. Shortly thereafter, LaVerne moved to an apartment back in downtown San Rafael, where she was born and raised. She enjoyed being able to walk to the local market, hair salon, and medical appointments. After two years in her apartment overlooking Albert's Park, where she played as a young girl, LaVerne moved to Aldersly Garden Community Living where she resided for over seven years, enjoying her independence in a quaint apartment overlooking a beautiful Rose Garden. LaVerne enjoyed many afternoons admiring the multitude of colorful roses with a view of Mount Tamalpais in the background. Her final days were spent in her apartment near this lovely rose garden which had become so special to her. "He who would have Beautiful Roses in his Garden Must have Beautiful Roses in his Heart" - Dean Hole MotherYou will be remembered for your Beautiful Heart You enriched our lives and all those around you with love, laughter, kindness, generosity and your strong spirit, which will live on in your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren forever. We Love and Miss You ! Family and Friends are Invited to Share in The Celebration of LaVerne's Life Visitation: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM KEATON'S MORTUARY 1022 E Street, San Rafael (415) 453-0571 Funeral Service: Thursday, December 8, 2011 11:00 AM KEATON'S MORTUARY 1022 E Street, San Rafael (415) 453-0571 Interment to Follow: MT. OLIVET CEMETERY 270 Los Ranchitos Road, Terra Linda (415) 479-9020 Donations May Be Made to: GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND 350 Los Ranchitos Road San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 499-4000.

Arrangements under the direction of Keaton's Mortuary, San Rafael, CA.