Alberta Dick Margaret Henderhan

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Alberta Margaret HENDERHAN who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Dick was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Dick knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Her parents were Bernard (Bert) and Elma Jeffers. Dick was raised in Stark County, Ohio. Even as a youngster, Dick learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Dick was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Dick was raised with three sibilings. She had two older sisters, Elsie and Opal, and one younger sister Marjorie. Dick had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Dick, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

Dick's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Dick enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. In her spare time she liked to travel. Dick's memorable achievements included.

Dick was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Dick was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Dick came to expect her high standards of performance. Later in life, she became friends with her Charles and Lucille Parker, Bill and Dorothy Schwerkoske,Bill and Meree Jones, and many others along the way.

An objective and conscientious individual, Dick reveled in the security of her family. On July 27, 1935 Dick exchanged wedding vows with Clarence Valentine Henderan in the state of Virginia at a court house. One of Dick’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Dick was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Dick would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Dick was blessed with One child, One daughter Constance. They were also blessed with 2 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 5 great great-grandchildren, Candace, Gregory, Stephanie, Kelli, Kimberly, Lori, Peter, Emily, Brigette, Ethan, Olivia, Alexia, Drake, Nathan, Aubrey, Maliah, Kahleena, and Lily.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Dick was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Dick was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Dick upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was a engineering project clerk for Lockheed. She was employed for Lockheed for more than 25 years. Dick was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Dick approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were collecting dolls, stuffed animals from all over. She did like to travel and enjoyed a good meal out. Dick was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Dick to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were Dodgers baseball.

Being generous with her time and energy, Dick liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. Throughout her later years, Dick was an active member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

A civic-minded person, Dick was usually ready to jump in and help with community activities. She was the type of person who could masterfully organize events and projects and then see to it that they were run in an efficient and timely manner. Politically, Dick was Democrat. During these years, Dick applied her analytical intellect to problem solving and so was an asset on most committees.

As someone who placed a high value on showing gratitude, Dick could graciously accept a “thank you” extended to her by those she helped. However, individual recognition wasn’t a motivating force for Dick; rather, when she saw that there was a need to get something done, she was more than willing to give her time and energy in order to see it accomplished. Some of her most prestigious awards included a Silver Veteran's Badge for her loyalty and services to fellow men for a period of twenty-five years in March of 1976.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Dick used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Dick had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included traveling to Hawaii and many other place across this vast nation.

Dick was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Dick’s favorites was Her favorite pets were her dogs. They were best friends for She had several over the years.

When Dick’s retirement finally arrived in 1978, she was well prepared. She used her critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. Her new life involved relocating to Nipomo, California. In retirement, she found new pleasure in traveling. In many ways, Dick loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Dick passed away on August 28, 2017 at Arroyo Grande Care Center, Arroyo Grande, California. She had lived alone until about 90 years of age. For the past few years she was not able to live like she wanted to alone. The last few months prior to her death she was having trouble keeping her balance when she tried to stand. Her heart was not working well and due to age and dementia she was struggling. She fell and broke her hip and was not a candidate for surgery. She rallied for about 5 days then started to fail and left us on August 28 at 2:10 am. She is survived by her many grand and great grandchildren, plus many niece and nephews from both her husbands side and her side of the family. Services were held at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park. Dick was laid to rest in Los Osos Valley Memorial Park in Los Osos, California.

All who knew her would agree that Dick was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Alberta Margaret HENDERHAN did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.