Laverne Virgen

Laverne was born in Yuba City on August 31, 1938, to Ophelia Gomez. She was the eldest of five siblings. She attended Argonaut Elementary and Sacramento High School. In 1956, she welcomed her first child and took on various jobs to support her growing family. She would fondly recall her time working at Pancho’s Drive-In with friends. Resourceful and determined, Laverne raised her four children independently in her beloved home of 70 years at 4200 43rd Street in Oak Park. Those who knew her remember her as an optimistic woman with an enduringly upbeat spirit.

A confident and stylish lady, Laverne had a passion for glamour and always dressed to impress. She would regularly polish her nails in her signature dark red color and accessorize with gold rings, earrings, and necklace. She loved laughter, reminiscing, and listening to music—especially Oldies, Motown, R&B, Hip Hop, and Christian songs. Some of her favorite artists were The Temptations and 2Pac. In her golden years, she could often be found relaxing on the sofa with her favorite sweet treat, enjoying episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Andy Griffith Show, The Steve Harvey Show, or her Sunday Miniseries. 

Laverne was preceded in death by her daughter Theresa and her siblings Frank and Rosemary. She is survived by her children Manuel, Kathleen, and Yolanda; her grandchildren Armando, Yolanda, Ricky, Marie, Peter III, Peter IV, Stephan, Elisia, and Danielle; and her great-grandchildren Ethen, Symara, Armando, Alyssa, Yesenia, Santino, Ayvah, Layla, Zoe, Lailoni, Arian, Zephaniah, and Alanna. She also leaves behind her siblings Bob, Margaret, and Gloria, along with many beloved cousins and friends.

A true social butterfly, Laverne had the gift of making friends wherever she went. She was a woman of deep faith who loved her Heavenly Father, whom she fondly called Papa Dios. Blessed with strength, perseverance, and a zest for life, she lived her life to the fullest. May she now rest in His loving presence, at peace and forever cherished.