Obituaries

Born on September 11, 1920, in what was then Decoto, California, to Portuguese parents, Antone & Emma Vierra. By the age of 11, she had lost her mother to heart disease that is now easily corrected with surgery. Her devoted father raised her and her older sister, Eldena, all by himself, with the occasional help of cousins who lived “down the street.” At the time, Decoto Road was a two-lane barely paved road. Their closest neighbor was a half mile away. She frequently told stories of “skating right down the middle of the street and never seeing a car.” Mom graduated from Washington High School in 1938. She excelled in sports at school, participating in every sport they’d allow girls to play. Barely 5’ tall, she loved basketball, field hockey, softball, and volleyball. In 1943 while at a skating rink, she met a young sailor from Jacksonville, Florida by the name of Richard “Dick” Kabrich, and they married one year later. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska; quite a shock from the warm beaches of Jacksonville. After the war, Dad began his 37-year career with PG&E, and Mom worked as a Payroll Accountant for the Niles Nursery. By 1949, they’d begun their family. Dad continued with PG&E, and Mom became a full-time mother, chef, laundress, peacemaker, referee, and all those other jobs a full-time mom has. As the kids grew older, Mom and Dad began to travel on cruises with their friends from church. There was a group of 4 couples (the Bettencourt’s, the Martin’s, and the Shannon’s) that went on an annual cruise for many years. Mom & Dad also set up gambling trips to Reno for their friends at Corpus Christi Church in Niles. Four times a year, they’d fill a bus and head to Reno for their 2-day trips. When Dad passed away in 1994, Mom continued the trips, with daughters Patti & Debbie taking turns as co-host. The last few years, she continued the trips, and both girls went along to help and subsequently have a great time hanging out with Mom! Reno was her Disneyland! Aches and pains would disappear as soon as she went through the casino doors. She’d take off to her favorite machine, with us trying to keep up behind her. So many fun memories of those trips! Lots of laughter! She continued the 2-day bus trips until she was 92. For another couple of years she continued to coordinate several one-day trips to the local casinos around Sacramento. Over the years, she hosted more than 115 trips to Reno. Her daughters also took her on frequent trips to Reno and Thunder Valley, trips for just the three of them. She also volunteered at Washington Hospital for 40 years. She discharged patients, delivered items from one area of the hospital to another, and was always told by staff “slow down Ellie, you’re walking too fast.” She and her daughters were so very proud of her 40 years of volunteering. She loved the work, helping patients, and the many friends she made. She lived on a section of the same property she was born on for her entire 97-1/3 years. The old 2-story house she was born in became their home when Mom & Dad married, a gift from her father, which included 5 acres of fruit and nut trees. In 1955, as their family grew to 4, they built a single-level home just a few hundred feet from the original house. 18 months later, Debra became the Surprise Third Child, and we were 5! Mom lived in that house from 1955, until her passing on January 9, 2018. One of Mom’s great loves was her garden and yard. Keeping about ½ acre when they sold the majority of the 5-acre property, they planted trees (a couple of redwoods!), a large lawn in the front and backyards, and then her roses. She would love to go out and putter in her yard, most days spending 2-3 hours in the yard. Pulling a weed here, trimming a plant there, and keeping the roses pruned so nicely that they would bloom well into winter! One of the hardest things she had to give up as she aged was tending to her own yard and garden. But she would continue to supervise her daughter, Debbie, as she pruned the roses for her. Our brother Rick helped Mom become a super Giants fan. The two of them watched the games together, and she could be heard talking to the TV: “hit a home run”, “why is he taking out the pitcher?” She practiced her faith daily, a devout Catholic. She had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, and St. Anne. She saw the goodness in everyone, and demonstrated great courage, strength, and humility. Her daughters and all who were touched by her loving nature will miss her deeply. Mom is survived by her daughters Patti Tarantino and Debbie Kabrich and partner Denise Nelson, many loving nieces and nephews {Karen Phillips (Kabrich), Sandy Kreisman (Kabrich), Robin Kabrich, Gail Kabrich Hapsis, Theron Kabrich, Randy Kabrich}, and her loving caregiver, Denise Galeotti (DeMotte). She is preceded in death by her husband, Dick, son Rick, sister Eldena, and son-in-law Peter, many family pets, especially her cat Rascal. Services will be held Monday, January 15, 2018, at the Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, Visitation beginning at 3:00, Vigil services at 4:00. Please wear red in Mom’s honor. In lieu of flowers, Patti and Debbie suggest a donation to one of Mom’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek, arflife.org; or Sister John Marie’s Pantry. Burial services will be private.