Vel Dean Richardson Chamberlain Barrere Obituary (1931

Obituary Vel Dean Richardson Chamberlain Barrere, 87, (14 March 1931-6 July 2018) formerly of Hollywood CA, passed away July 6, 2018. She was born in Los Angeles, CA, the second of five children to Ami L. Richardson and Velma Andelin. She was a beauty with an infectious smile and effervescent personality. She was also generous with her many talents as a pianist, singer and skilled writer. She attended John Marshall High School and the LDS Hollywood Ward in her youth. There she met newly arrived Thomas M. Chamberlain from Kanab, UT. They dated for a year, fell in love, and married October 23, 1948 while she was still a senior. As newlyweds they lived for a short time in Glendale, CA and then Kanab, UT until Tom was called on an LDS mission. While he was away, she lived with her family who had by then moved to Logan, UT. After Tom’s missionary service, he was inducted into the US Army and fulfilled basic training at Fort Ord, CA, where he and Vel Dean lived off base in Pacific Grove. There they had their first child, Jeffery Dean in 1954. After being honorably discharged the Chamberlains moved to Reseda, CA where Thomas began his building contractor business. Over the next 14 years, Vel Dean and Tom had six more children: Lesly, Blair, Curtis, Leanne, Lynette and Lorleen. During that time, they moved from Reseda to Hidden Hills, CA where Tom expanded his real estate development business to include the first high-rise office building on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, CA. After some years of difficulty and attempted reconciliation, Thomas and Vel Dean divorced. She later married Robert Barrere, Jr. in 1977, residing in Thousand Oaks, CA, and then in Camarillo, CA. Vel Dean worked with Robert for MetLife, having herself received insurance and NASD licenses. She also enjoyed singing in the Southern California Mormon Choir. After their move to Central, UT in 1996, Vel Dean enjoyed her many new friends and continued to share her dramatic and musical talents. She served as the ward chorister for many years. Vel Dean and Robert became St. George temple ordinance workers, finding great joy in their service. Vel Dean suffered a stroke in 2009, severely affecting her speech and other motor skills. With an intensive therapy program she was able to regain some of her capabilities back, but speech remained a frustrating challenge for her. A second stroke a few years later further affected her decline. With her third stroke in March 2018 she became bed-ridden and unable to speak. However, she remained alert and responsive to the constant care of her family and caregivers. All of her children were able to spend time with her prior to her passing away. Vel Dean kept a strong testimony and love of the Savior. She is survived by six children: Jeffery Dean-Midway, UT; Lesly-Hurricane, UT, Curtis (Debra)-Queen Creek, AZ, Leanne (Kim) Bowers-Newberg, OR, Lynette (Ron) Minson-Birmingham, AL, Lorleen (Kreg) Braunberger-Central, UT; 37 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren, siblings Gary (Alison)-Malibu, CA, Sondra (Richard) Galbraith-Sandy, UT. Preceded in death by son Blair (March 9, 2013)-Simi Valley, CA, prior husband Thomas Chamberlain (February 18, 2002)-Dundee, OR, and husband Robert Barrere, Jr. (December 27, 2012)-Central, UT, siblings Jay Richardson-Ivins, UT, and Francis Richardson-LaVerkin, UT. Special thanks to daughter Lorleen and her family who cared for Vel Dean until her passing. Funeral services: Sat July 21st, LDS chapel-Veyo, UT. 176 E Center St. 11:00 am, viewing 9:30-10:30 prior to services. Internment at Central City Cemetery, Central, UT. From Vel Dean’s recollection of her childhood: “WWII was during my childhood, with food and gas rationing, with butter, sugar and new shoes in short supply. When holes wore into the soles of our shoes, we put in cardboard. We had to wear identification necklaces to school in case of a bombing attack. Cards in windows displayed stars indicating those fighting in Japan or Germany. Soldiers, in dress uniforms, would come into Hollywood to attend the canteens. It was traumatic to know of the devastation in Europe and the Pacific Islands. Our family was at our cabin in Lake Arrowhead, above San Bernardino, when Japan finally surrendered. I loved our cabin. It seemed there I turned from a gangly adolescent into what seemed a grown-up young miss. I attended Marshall High school, highlights being on the drill team, class vice president, dating and starring in Ramshackle Inn and I Remember Mama. I met Thomas Chamberlain at Hollywood ward—a close friend of my oldest brother. Short story—we dated for a year, fell in love, then planned our wedding. When I told my younger brother I was getting married, he said, “Who to?”