Vera Louise Besterman's Obituary
Vera Louise Besterman celebrated her 100th Birthday July 26, surrounded by more than forty family and friends. It was a fabulous time! She carries that memory with her as she went to meet her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, April 1.
She was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Clarence and Irma Burton and was the older sister of Lois Burton Falcone (deceased). She married the love of her life, Walt Besterman, a World War II veteran (who died in 1989), on September 14, 1946. They were parents of Chuck (Anne) Besterman of Lititz, PA, Lois (Mike) Tripp of Pittsburgh and Ann (Dave) Dorst of The Villages. Vera lived with Ann and Dave for the last ten years (and loved The Villages!) until she went to Watercrest Buena Vista March 1. She was the marvelous Grandma of eight, Great Grandma (Grams) to fifteen and Great Great Grandma to two, whom she loved to play with. Family was her enduring joy.
She lived a very rich and full life. She worked as a restaurant hostess and school secretary and was an all-star volunteer, including serving as a Deacon in her Presbyterian Church and a Stephen Minister. She loved caring for other people and did it most of her adult life. Some of her most special times were when she and Walt retired to Dunedin, FL. They would ride their bikes to the beach and spend an afternoon in the sand and surf.
Vera accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord when she was a teenager. Her faith was the most important thing in her life. She began each day reading the Bible and praying and ended each day the same way. Her love for Christ was evident in the way she loved people. Ann and Dave rarely heard her say a negative thing about another person. Until recently, she was in church and Sunday School every Lord’s Day and loved to worship and learn.
There will be a Celebration of the Resurrection for Vera at Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 700 S. 9th St. in Leesburg Thursday, April 9th at 11, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Compassionate Care Hospice or Grace EPC
What’s your fondest memory of Vera?
What’s a lesson you learned from Vera?
Share a story where Vera's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Vera you’ll never forget.
How did Vera make you smile?