Mrs Elvira " Vera" Gamboa

Elvira “Vera” Gamboa was born in Madera, California on January 25th, 1928 to Teodoro and Eusebia Lopez. She was one of nine children. She graduated from Madera High School in 1945 and was accepted into the Cadet Nurse Corps., one of the nation’s responses to the nursing shortage that followed the U.S. entry into World War II. She graduated in 1948 from St. Mary’s College of Nursing in San Francisco as a Registered Nurse.

On a trip home, she was introduced to William Gamboa, a Spanish Teacher and Basketball Coach at Madera High. It was love at first sight and they were married on June 19th, 1949. Their family soon grew to include three wonderful sons, Theodore, Steven and Paul. With three young boys, Vera became one of the founders of the Small Fry Nursery School, which is still in existence today.
The Gamboas had a vision and saw the need for elder care in the community. In April of 1965, they opened the Madera Convalescent Hospital. Vera was the first and only administrator for the facility from its inception until her retirement in May of 1987. Her love of nursing care and a meticulously clean facility were well-known in the community. With her talent, nursing skills, devotion and leadership the facility grew. By 1991, the Gamboas had opened 8 nursing homes throughout the Central Valley.

Along with having a strong work ethic, the Gamboas played hard. Vera and Bill loved to travel, taking many trips throughout the Unites States and to other countries. They made wonderful trips to China, The Holy Land, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Russia, Africa, and South America to name but a few. They also enjoyed yearly family trips to Puerto Vallarta and frequent visits to their cabin in Lake Tahoe, and to Yosemite. They loved watching sports and frequently went to San Francisco to see their team, the 49ers play. They also went to the Olympics in Mexico City and Los Angeles. Vera and Bill loved to dance, travel and enjoyed spending time with their sons and grandchildren above all.

Vera was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Joachim’s Church. She also belonged to the Mary of Legion and Young Ladies Institute.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bill and their son Theodore “Teo”; sisters Teresa and Rae; and brothers Jesse and Manuel.

She is survived by her sons, Steven and Paul; her grandchildren Adam, William, Alex, Elena and Olivia; and her great-grandchildren Trey, Quinn, Giovanni and Sage. She is also survived by her sisters, Carmen Flores and Alice Teran; her brother Larry Lopez, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Recitation of the Rosary will be on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM at Jay Chapel in Madera.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 1:00 PM at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Madera with interment following at Calvary Cemetery also in Madera.