Obituary of Phyllis Annette Broberg

Phyllis Venturini Broberg died March 29, 2012 at the age of 93 of kidney failure, surrounded physically and in spirit by family and friends at her home in Soquel, CA. Phyllis Annette Brown was born September 1, 1918 in Taft, CA to Leonard and Vernie Hayden Brown and raised in Huntington Park, CA. Her formative teen years, during the depression, shaped her indelibly and gave her an appreciation of the things that mattered most---a loving family, good friends, fun times and a joyful outlook on life. She knew hardship but was never defeated by her circumstances. After moving with her mother to Santa Cruz she met and married Victor Venturini in 1940, a marriage that lasted 40 years and gave them two children. At the end of World War II they returned from Richmond, CA and settled in Santa Cruz. Vacationing in Lewiston, CA was their time to experience new surroundings. Following Vic's death she married Andy Broberg in Lewiston, CA and they remained married until his death in 1996 while continuing to live in Soquel, CA. Phyllis loved merriment and mirth, much to the delight of her grand and great-grandchildren. With a twinkle in her eye and a droll sense of humor, she delighted in breaking grandmotherly stereotypes, even going beyond wearing "purple with a red hat that doesn't go" to proudly sporting the "eyecatching graphic design and mind-numbing illustrations" of local graphic artist and grandson-in-law Jimbo Phillips. She was a generous source of many family extravagances, be they large dinners she prepared and served at home, dinners at local restaurants, trips or gifts. Guests in her home could expect that she would not withhold bacon, butter, cream or chocolate from her menus. Phyllis exuded an indomitable spirit. She was, and remained until the end, the master of her fate and the captain of her ship. As her body weakened these past weeks, she cheerfully gathered family and friends from near and far to enjoy the moments of joy and celebration together. Those moments allowed her the confidence and peace to leave this life, knowing that she was loved. She will be deeply missed by near-family and extended-family that are woven together by their love and respect for her life: daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Ron Blanchette of Aptos, CA, son and daughte-rin- law, Larry and Marie Venturini of Bahia San Luis Gonzaga, BC, Mexico and Aguila, AZ, grandchildren and their spouses, Renee and Scot Siden of Sacramento, CA, Steven and Kate Venturini of Soquel, CA, Jennifer and Jimbo Phillips of Santa Cruz, Gina Venturini of Lafayette, CO and Mark and Sophia Griffin of Elk Grove, great grand dog, Mango, step-grandchildren and their spouses, Craig and Terri Blanchette of Aptos, CA and Sara and Ed Hanson of Aptos, CA, greatgrandchildren, Julia Venturini, Kyle and Owen Siden, Cassidy and Colby Phillips, Stella Bristol, Bella and Oliva Griffin, step-greatgrandchildren, Ben and Jacob Blanchette, Sam and Nicholas Hanson, nephews, Ed and Leonard Brown, nieces Pat Tomei and Ginny Kuhn and her very special friends, Pat Blanchette and Jerry Dannemiller, John and Sharon Siden, Bob and Judy Netoff, Tracy Netoff-Pike, Bev Douglas and her Soquel Glen neighbors, and Emah Anyang. She was predeceased by her first husband, Victor Venturini, her second husband, Andy Broberg, her brothers, William Muir, Leonard Brown, nephew, Bill Muir and dear friend, Dick Robinson. A special thanks to Dr. Maritina Rodriguez and the Hospice support group, Darren, Marcus, Melanie and Jorri. All have benefitted from her life, her humor, her beneficence, her courage and her strength in ways too numerable to mention. At her request no services will be held and her remains will be scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations may be made in the name of Phyllis Venturini Broberg to Satellite Dialysis of Santa Cruz, 2123 Soquel Avenue #1, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 or the charity of the donor's choice.