Wanda B. Jarvis

Wanda Belle Glover Jarvis was born on November 7, 1925 in Rives Junction, Michigan to Maurice and Isabelle Glover. Wanda was the eldest of 4 daughters, her sisters being Jean, Billie and Linda with one brother, Phillip. Wanda grew up in a small town in Southern Michigan; when you consider she attended a 3 room school house through the 8th grade, you can assume she must have known her classmates very well. She graduated from Leslie High School in 1943 but was already the war bride of Richard (Dick) Jarvis, as they were married on December 2, 1942- a very young bride, much to her mother's chagrin. The two had met when she was 14 and he was 16 at the roller rink...he was a skate boy and would not let her tip him for helping with her skates.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a pivotal point in her life, a true flashbulb moment that she never forgot. After graduation, Wanda went to work at the REO Truck Plant, a real-life Rosie the Riveter, patriotically doing her part in the war effort. When the war came to a close in 1945, Dick returned from Europe and the two settled down to raise a family. Her first born, David, arrived in October of 1946 and she wondered what she had gotten herself into. She must have figured it out as she had 3 more. Jenny arrived in 1951, Steve in 1959 and baby Rick completed the family in 1960 - now she had her hands full!

Their wanderlust took them across the country to the allure of the Golden State, California, from 1948 to 1952. The pull toward home and family was so strong, they moved back to Michigan in March of 1952 and knew they had made a mistake, which took them twelve years to rectify. In 1964, the now family of five (their eldest had left for the Navy) moved back to the West Coast, finally settling in San Diego, her home for the rest of her life. In an unexpected twist, Wanda's husband died very young at the age of 55. Wanda did whatever it took to provide for herself and family, taking in ironing, mowing lawns, cleaning houses and finally her favorite job of all, working with elementary school children which she did for over 18 years. Health reasons forced her to retire at age 79, a sorrow to her as she would have liked to work forever.

In 2004, a mother's worst fear was realized when her beloved son, David passed away at the age of 57 due to health issues. This grief was with her the rest of her life.

Wanda was revered by her grandchildren. They have fond memories of overnights packed with swimming, pizza and taco dinners, all-night movie marathons and coffee & donuts for breakfast...her hugs and kisses were the best part of the experience. What more could a grandchild ask for?

Wanda was known as a spirited, fun-loving, coffee drinking, card playing woman. She was an avid reader, movie lover and wonderful friend and the best mother anyone could ask for. She loved nothing more than exploring the West Coast with friends and family. She was always making memories and the memories she left for us will last forever. Wanda was a 40 year member of St. James Lutheran Church and resided at St. James Plaza for 15 years.

Wanda passed away at the age of 85 on May 23, 2011 in Coronado, California. She is survived by two sons, Steve and Rick, her daughter Jenny, and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at St. James Lutheran Church, Imperial Beach, CA. Interment will follow the service at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, Bonita, CA.