Doris Ventresca was born on March 16, 1931, in Fresno. Her father, John S. Goulart, who immigrated from the Azores, and mother, Emily Goulart, raised her and her ten siblings on a dairy ranch in Kerman, CA. Doris passed away peacefully on her 86th birthday, on March 16, 2017, in her home with her loving family at her side.
Doris was a very smart woman who worked hard to ensure that her children had a loving home, and were well cared for. She raised her children, and grandchildren, to always believe they could succeed, and everything was possible. She enjoyed reading, cooking and having her family in her home, and she always sought out a good game of scrabble or cards with family, especially with her grandchildren. She took pride in her home in Fresno, and always had a festive decor for Christmas and a giant Christmas tree to awe the grandchildren. She loved flowers. Having fresh stems in the house was a common occurrence and her yard was always adorned with beautiful floral plantings. Doris enjoyed making her delicious holiday cookies, chocolate candies, and Pizelles. She especially loved baking, shopping and traveling with her daughter Lisa and grandchildren. Over the years, Doris enjoyed traveling to Shaver Lake and Carmel, where family gatherings would always ensue.
Her commitment and dedication to her faith and the Catholic Church did not waiver, even when faced with serious health issues in earlier years. Later, when her health declined, she received her religious sacraments on a weekly basis and attended masses as much as she could.
Doris was known for her quick wit, and although tiny in stature, she was a force to reckon with. She often referred to herself as "small but mighty," and nobody would deny the truth in that! She could be painfully honest but was always truly interested in what you were doing and how you were. She was always present to listen and lend a gentle hug when needed and she maintained long time relations because she was a loyal friend.
Doris was a dedicated wife for 65 years in her marriage with Guido Ventresca, the love of her life. She worked side by side with her husband in the family business for more than 40 years. As the bookkeeper and payroll expert in the Ventresca Plastering Company, she was always busy and a huge contributor to the success of that enterprise, which later ended and converted into almond ranching.
The family wishes to acknowledge Mary, Phaige, and Cynthia who dedicated their full time efforts, compassion and love for Doris while caring for her during the past four years.
Doris and her identical twin sister, Dorothy Cervelli, were as close as twins could be and of course, they spent their birthdays together always. They were two Portuguese girls who married two Italian boys. All of her family and ten siblings were close, but the twins were so close, their families were almost raised altogether. Dorothy passed away nearly two years ago. Doris went to join her on Thursday, March 16, 2017, their birthday, so they could once again celebrate this day together.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Emily and John Goulart; and nine of her siblings.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Guido Ventresca; her brother-in- law Bob Cervelli; her sisters-in-law, Florine Goulart and Rosemary Goulart; her youngest sister, Joyce Naffziger and many loving nieces and nephews. Doris was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by her children, John Ventresca and his wife Lucianna, Rocky Ventresca, Lisa Bonadelle and her husband John. She will also be sorely missed by her grandchildren who she treasured so dearly, Guido, Satrina, Nicolas and Giovanni Ventresca; John, Bianca and Mia Bonadelle; and her great-grandchildren, Angela, Adriana, Annamaria and Giovanna.
A Recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.
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