Obituary of Lourene Cumming

A celebration of life will be held on August 18, 2013 in Saratoga, for Lourene Hazel Cumming, who passed away on Sunday July 21, 2013 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born in Monte Vista, Colorado, she was 95 years old. Lourene moved to San Bernardino, California as a youngster, and later married her high school sweetheart, Andrew James Cumming, on October 16, 1938. Her family will forever cherish the many memories of their mom, who was a wonderful cook, excellent homemaker and accomplished seamstress. The matching dresses and outfits that she created for her girls to wear on holidays, were a testimony to both her talents and her devotion to her family. Her son Jim, who is nine and eleven years younger than his two sisters, recalls many fond memories alone at home with his mother while his father worked long hours in the family tire business. Jim also recalls several vacations with his parents to Europe, Hawaii and Mexico. Lourene was also a very good athlete and enjoyed water & snow skiing at Lake Tahoe. Friends and family members will recall countless hours spent in the chilly Tahoe water, propped up on Lourene's knees, as she taught them to waterski behind the family's wooden Cris Craft named, "Just Right." Lourene was also an avid golfer and a member of the ladies' 9-hole group at La Rinconada Country Club and continued to play the game into her 80's. Lourene and Andy also traveled during their retirement years to many exotic locations such as Egypt, Yugoslavia, New Zealand, England and Scotland. Lourene was a compassionate person and desired to be a nurse when she was younger. Although nursing did not become a reality for her, she is remembered as being a wonderful "nurse" when her children and grandchildren were sick, and volunteered countless hours with Los Gatos Community Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of the local PEO and spent many hours raising money and awareness for educational opportunities for women. As a gesture of appreciation after caring for an elderly aunt in Capitola, Lourene inherited her beach cottage and thoroughly enjoyed the project of decorating it in a nautical theme with red, white, and blue colors. That house became a family get-away where many wonderful memories were made. Lourene is survived by her two daughters, Pamela Regan (Jerry) of Morgan Hill, Janet Pfeiffer (Craig) of Paradise Valley, AZ and her son, Andrew J. "Jim" Cumming Jr. (Wendy) of Soquel. She also leaves behind six loving grandchildren: Kyle (Denise), Melanie and Kevin Regan, Kristen Pfeiffer DeHaan (Doug) and Ben and Robin Cumming, along with her former daughter-in- law, Nell Cumming of Santa Cruz. One of four children, Lourene was preceded in death by her three siblings and most recently, her beloved husband of 73 years, Andy Cumming, in October of 2011. All are invited to Saratoga Federated Church, located at 20309 Park Place, Saratoga, California on Sunday August 18, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. for a memorial service and reception. She was laid to rest in a private ceremony beside her late husband, Andrew James Cumming, at Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga. If you would like to light a candle and share your prayers and condolences with her family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com Remembrances are preferred to Hospice of the Valley or the Alzheimer's Association.