Laverne M. Barrett, a longtime resident of San Mateo County, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2024, a day when the earth lost a saint, the sky gained a star and heaven gained an angel. Laverne was born and raised on Oahu in Honolulu, Hawaii to parents Eric and Margaret Schlemmer. Growing up at her 1692 Lewalani Dr. home, Laverne enjoyed being surrounded by a large family that included many musically talented and fun loving aunts and uncles. Her parents hosted frequent family BBQs where she enjoyed many piano & ukulele sing-alongs. She fondly recalled as a child learning to dance hula and taking the street car down from her Makiki home to Waikiki Beach where she enjoyed swimming at the Uluniu Swimming Club located on Waikiki Beach between the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and the Moana Hotel. As a teenager, Laverne lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor and the challenging times that followed. She recalled her dad growing a vegetable garden in their backyard and raising chickens and rabbits in order to feed her family as provisions were scarce.
The eldest of three children, Laverne, attended Roosevelt High School and the University of Hawaii. After two years of college, she left Oahu for the first time to complete college as a music major at Dominican College (now University) in San Rafael. While at Dominican, Laverne met the love of her life, Jack J. Barrett, at a party his parents were hosting at their 70 Clark Dr. home in San Mateo. Jack recalled that it was love at first sight, referring to Laverne as his Pearl of the Pacific. After college, Jack and Laverne married and raised eight children, eventually settling into Jack’s family home in San Mateo Park where they lived for many years.
Three years after losing Jack to cancer in 1985, Laverne met Edward J. Marzalek of Sacramento, a widowed father of five, at a Catholic retreat in Honolulu. Having each lost their spouses to cancer, Laverne and Ed had much in common, soon falling in love and marrying. Laverne and Ed enjoyed 20 wonderful years together, initially in Hillsborough and later in Santa Rosa. After Ed passed in 2006, Laverne remained in Santa Rosa, returning to the Bay Area in 2018 and happily settling into her Redwood City “treehouse” as she affectionally called it.
Laverne was an angel on earth who truly exemplified the aloha spirit! She was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother and dear friend to countless others. She was a guiding light to her family who will forever be inspired by her love and humility. She was a gracious, generous and fabulous hostess who was beautiful, loving, kind and selfless. She was deeply religious, never saying a negative word about anyone. She was an accomplished pianist and a graceful hula dancer.
She was a poised, friendly and joyful optimist. She inspired others to be their best self by her daily actions. Being grateful and expressing appreciation were her principle hallmarks. She was compassionate, modest, calm and thoughtful. She was interested in others and nonjudgemental. She was health conscious, gentle in manner and above all, caring and considerate.
Laverne is survived by her two brothers, Alan Schlemmer (Conchita) and Gary E. Schlemmer and her eight children – John J. Barrett (Jeanette Cook), Lilly M. Foletti (Davide), Ellie M. Knopf (Bret), Stephen M. Barrett, Michael T. Barrett (Lynette), Marianne L. Barrett (Susan Irene Etezadi), Eric L. Barrett (Katia) and Patrick T. Barrett (Jeanne); her step-children – Toni Wallace (Wayne), Kathy Marzalek, Mary DuHain (Michael) and Diana Reid; 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, 8 great step-grandchildren and 1 great great step-grandchild. Her legacy, combined with Ed’s family who she dearly loved as her own, totaled 30 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild! In addition, she considered herself blessed to be a Godmother to many.
Laverne’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to her wonderful, caring, loving and thoughtful caregiving team - Ana, Fale, Malia, Nau and Tiana. No words can adequately express their appreciation to this very special, loving group of women.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mission Hospice & Home Care of San Mateo who provided warm & caring support to Laverne and her family during her final days or her alma mater, Dominican University of San Rafael, CA.
A rosary and mass will be held for Laverne on Monday, June 24, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church at 1310 Bayswater Ave., Burlingame, CA with a reception immediately following.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.