Virginia Lee De Vore

  General Notes:

Research of James W. Straw
Origonally wanted to study law but pressure against women in the field persuaded her to abandon the program.
. Graduation: Fresno High School, Jun 1935, Fresno, CA.
• Education: Fresno State College, 1937, Fresno, CA.
• Graduation: University California Berkeley, May 1939, Berkeley, CA. Graduated Cum Laude
• Employment: Worked at a jewlery store, 1940, Fresno, CA.
• Education: University of California at Berkeley, 1940-1941, Berkeley, CA. Teaching Credential
• Employment: Ceres High School, Sep 1941, Ceres, CA. Taught for 3 years.
• Employment: San Benito High School, 1944, Hollister, CA. Taught until January 1946.

San Jose Mercury News (CA)
November 19, 2006
Virginia Lee Brownton (nee DeVore) Mom died at her care residence in Los Gatos, California, on November 2, 2006, at the age of 88 after a long decline from Alzheimer's dementia and multiple, severely debilitating physical ailments. Survived by son Glenn Brownton (& Mary Counihan) and daughter Marilyn Straw (& Jim Straw); grandchildren Sadie Miles and Mandy and Tammy Straw; sister-in-law Betty MacIntosh; nephews Page Brownton and Bob MacIntosh, and nieces Wendy Pohlmann, Trudi Diffendaffer, Laurie Carmona, Christie Flores, and Nancy Amos; counsins Katharyn Yonge, Stuart Ryce, and Martha Harris Sullivan. Preceded in death by husband of 61 years William Brownton. Daughter of the late Glenn DeVore and Elizabeth (Ryce) DeVore of Fresno, CA. Daughter-in-law of the late Ethel and Leighton C. Brownton of San Jose. Sister-in-law of the late Leighton P. and Jane Brownton and the late George MacIntosh of San Jose. Educated at Fresno High School (1931-35); Fresno State College (1935-37), where she was named "Outstanding Frosh Woman" (1936); University of California at Berkeley (1937-39), graduating Cum Laude, and (1940-41) to earn her Secondary Teaching Credential. Taught History, English, Spanish, and Business at Ceres Union High School (1941-44) in Ceres, CA, and San Benito High School (1944-46) in Hollister, CA. Moved to her husband's hometown of San Jose in June 1946 upon his return from WWII, remaining for the next 60 years to establish a home, raise two children, and actively work to improve lives and the community through many volunteer jobs. Amongst these were: charter member of Women's Auxiliary of the Santa Clara County Dental Society; member of Junior Women's Club; member of Home of Benevolence (now Eastfield Ming Quong) Junior Auxiliary, serving a term as President; Area Chair of Community Chest; member of Eastfield (now Eastfield Ming Quong) Board of Directors; member of Edwin Markham Middle School PTA, serving a term as President; member of Citizens Committee of San Jose Unified School District for bond drives, also Chair of its Speakers Bureau; member of P.E.O., serving a term as President; member of ToKalon, serving a term as President; Captain of Neuf Troux at SJ Country Club. An avid and skilled Bridge player. She was a committed and caring wife, mother, and friend. Intellectually inquisitive, often outspoken, unfailingly sociable, the first to welcome new people and support those in need. Sad at her departure, we are joyous for her release from undeserved suffering. A memorial Life Celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 1, at Hakone Gardens, 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA, (408) 741-4994, www.hakone.com, followed by a lunch reception there. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of the Valley (4850 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124-5156) and/or P.E.O. Foundation - Fund for Continuing Education (3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50312). We also wish to express appreciation for the care and support provided her and us by the staffs of Hospice of the Valley, Cedar Creek Alzheimer & Dementia Care Center, and Lincoln Glen Assisted Living Center.
Copyright (c) 2006 San Jose Mercury News
Record Number: 19953044

Virginia married Dr William Frederick Brownton, son of Dr. Leighton Copeland Brownton and Ethel Pearl Offield, on 20 Dec 1942 in Congrigational Church, Fresno, CA. (Dr William Frederick Brownton was born on 13 Oct 1917 in San Jose Hospital, San Jose, California, died on 16 Feb 2004 in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California and was buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.)