Mrs. Marie Catherine DeMera

Marie Catherine DeMera passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 16, 2015. Marie was born in Glendale, CA on September 5, 1930 to Frank and Mary Alice Diener. She was raised on her family's farm in Five Points, CA with her siblings Mary Lou, Dolores, Ann, Paul, and Edward.

She graduated from Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada Flintridge, CA in 1948. She attended West Hills College in Coalinga for two years and then transferred to Fresno State where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and a teaching credential.

She met the love of her life and husband of 62 years, James DeMera Jr., at the Newman Center and they were married on June 14, 1952 at Holy Family Church on the family farm. Together Marie and Jim raised six children.

Marie was an active member of the Candlelight Guild for many years and took great pleasure in supporting her children and grandchildren through their many activities.

Marie and Jim were fortunate to travel all over the world, and especially enjoyed visiting religious shrines and churches. They were generous to share their love of travel with their family on many wonderful occasions.

Marie will be remembered for her patience, quiet modest grace, and radiant smile. A woman of few words, for those who were willing to wait, she would surprise with her wry, insightful sense of humor. She was the center of her family and set an example of faith, dignity, and generosity.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim DeMera, who passed six weeks before her; her parents, Mary Alice and Frank Diener; sister, Mary Lou; and brother, Paul.

Her family is consoled that Jim and Marie are together in heaven.

Marie is survived by her children, Alice Kitahara and her husband Larry, James DeMera III and his wife Babette, David DeMera, Thomas DeMera, Celeste DeMera and her partner Suzanne, and Pat DeMera and his wife Maggie. She will be missed by her seven grandchildren, James DeMera IV and his wife Lisa, Nichole Lontz and her husband Charles, Krystal Kitahara, Chelsea Kitahara, Alexander DeMera, Joseph DeMera, and Cris Ganske and his wife Jessica; great grandchildren, Grace and Chloe. Marie was a loving person who will be missed by her siblings and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, January 22, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

A Recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 10:00 am.

Remembrances may be made in Marie's honor to Nazareth House, 2121 N. First Street, Fresno, CA 93703 or Candlelight Guild, 2119 W San Ramon, Fresno, CA 93711.