She was born on March 27th, 1940, in Portland, Oregon and was the daughter of the late James Eugene and Dorothy May Patton. Vera attended Franklin High School where she enjoyed tennis and swimming. Vera attended one year at Portland State University and one year at Oregon State University majoring in Education. She changed her major to Nursing and received an Associate Degree in Nursing at Portland Community College. Her first job was as an IV Nurse at the then brand-new Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin, OR. She continued taking associated classes throughout her nursing career.
After moving to Alexandria, LA, Vera was the head nurse and partial organizer of an IV Team at Rapides General Hospital. In 1975, she was united in marriage with George Howard Blomstrom. He was a Forest Ranger on the LA Kisatchie National Forest. George was originally from Mansfield, MA.
George and Vera and their blended family of four sons, transferred to Harrisonburg, VA. where he continued to work as a Forester for the US Department of Agriculture on the George Washington National Forest until his retirement in 1989. Vera worked for a home health agency, an oral surgeon, and part time at Rockingham Memorial Hospital before becoming a certified college health nurse at James Madison University Health Center. She retired in 2002.
In her retirement, Vera volunteered as a Book Buddy for three years at a local elementary school. She enjoyed her membership at the JMU Lifelong Learning Institute for Seniors and RMH Senior Advantage Classes. She also enjoyed trips with the Elderhostel Program including Hawaii and Cape Cod and enjoyed frequent luncheons with her friends.
Vera had an adventurous spirit and found much joy on family vacations spent camping, skiing, and sailing together. She was proud to be called “Grandma” and shared her love of nature with her grandchildren; bonfires at Belmont Estates, flying kites at the Outer Banks, and hikes in Colorado were some of the favorites.
Vera is survived by her son Michael Mayfield of Golden, CO.; stepsons William Blomstrom (Christa), of Newport News, VA.; Jason Blomstrom of. Harrisonburg, VA.; Eric Blomstrom (Gina) of Clermont, FL.; five grandchildren; sister-in-law Verlene Patton of Canby, OR.; and two nieces and two nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Blomstrom; former husband, Raymond Mayfield (father of Michael) and brother William Patton.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Harrisonburg with Father Silvio Kaberia presiding. Interment will take place at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens.
