Verena Mae Heath

March 14, 1938 - Nov. 8, 2016

Verena Mae Heath, 78, of Albany went to be with Jesus on Tuesday.

Verena was born in Hot Springs, South Dakota, to George and Cleone (Powell) Schwartz. Her family moved to Hood River shortly after her birth. She lived in Hood River until the age of 18 when she left to attend college in Santa Cruz, California.

Verena met Dean Heath while attending Bethany Bible College in Santa Cruz and they were married in Hood River on Dec. 12, 1959, and moved to San Jose, California.

Verena has always been very involved in church activities with special emphasis on the missions and musical departments. She enjoyed singing in the Bethel Church choir in San Jose for 38 years. She also enjoyed being the pastor's secretary, mission's secretary, and other clerical positions at the church for a number of years. She loved working at the church. Verena enjoyed having many friends and anything musical and also loved to travel. As a result she and Dean travelled to many destinations around the world.

Verena is survived by husband Dean Heath of Albany; and daughters Renee Ferrante and Lynn Doty, who with their husbands and five children live in Roseville and Livermore, California. Verena was a wonderful mother to her two girls.