Lorene Green, age 77, went to be with the Lord on July 11, 2013, in Fremont, CA, surrounded by family and friends. She was born November 21, 1935, in Nashville, TN, to George and Odell (Briggs) Hetrick. They moved their family to Walnut Creek, CA, in 1940 where George worked at the Alameda shipyard during the war and Odell raised their 9 children. Lorene moved to Long Beach, CA to live with her sister Virginia in 1950 because of her health.
By the grace of God, Lorene survived polio at the age of nine; rheumatic fever at the age of 13, which left her with a damaged heart; and thyroid cancer at the age of 18. After four surgeries to remove the cancer, including major radical surgery, all of which were unsuccessful, she was given the prognosis that she would not live more than six months. At that time, she met Robert (Bob) Eugene Green on New Year’s Eve, 1954, and they were married in Yuma, AZ, on February 27, 1955. Miraculously they were happily married for 58 years.
Not only did Bob and Lorene raise four children of their own, they also lovingly cared for Lorene’s nieces after the death of their mother, Lorene’s sister Mary Lee, in 1975.
Though often dealt a rough lot in life, Lorene never dwelt on the negative or took to self-pity. She saw the joy in simple things and never forgot to thank the Creator for His good works, her favorites being butterflies, hummingbirds, and roses. She loved gardening, and spent hours looking after her flowers. She rarely spoke a negative word about someone else. If she did, it was quickly followed by something positive.
She was a member of Berean Baptist Church in Fremont, CA, for 29 years.
Lorene is survived by her husband, Bob; son, Robert Green and wife Katherine of Keizer, OR; son, Randy Green and wife Beki of El Mirage, AZ; daughter, Laurel VanBuskirk and husband Michael of Hayward, CA; daughter, Linda Sarna and husband Bob of Minnetonka, MN; niece Tammy Arendt and Husband Randy of Silver Springs, NV; niece Mindy Divinagracia and husband Phil of Brentwood, CA; seventeen grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, George Hetrick; brother, Jerry Hetrick; brother; Jim Hetrick; and sister, Virginia Thiessen.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Odell Hetrick; brother, Jack Hetrick; brother, John Hetrick; sister, Mary Lee Hetrick; and sister, Helen Vanerwegen.
The funeral will be held at Berean Baptist Church, 2929 Peralta Boulevard in Fremont at 2:00PM with a viewing beginning at 1:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Daily Bread, online at www.rbc.org or by mail at RBC Ministries, P.O. Box 1622 Windsor, Ontario N9A 6Z7
Lorene’s positive outlook and graceful spirit was our shining example. She will forever be in our hearts and will be greatly missed.
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