A memorial service was held Friday at St. Paul's Church in Modesto for Donna Day Vella, 65, of Modesto. She died Monday, July 7, 2008.
Born April 10, 1943 in Greenville, N.C., Donna was the daughter of Charles Brantley Bissette of Wilson, N.C. and Ola Day Uzzle Bissette of Wilson's Mills, N.C. She received her bachelor's degree in Education from East Carolina University after spending two years at St. Mary's College in Raleigh, N.C. She hailed from a long line of distinguished teachers and was honored as the North Carolina Student Teacher of the Year 1964-65. She moved to Modesto in 1965 when she was recruited to a position with Modesto City Schools. She taught at Tuolumne Elementary School near Ceres and Beard Elementary, before taking a sabbatical to raise her family. She earned her master's degree from U.O.P. and was a resource specialist at Shackelford Elementary School in South Modesto and later at Roosevelt Junior High in Modesto. Mrs. Day enjoyed traveling in the mountains and to Monterey/Carmel, San Francisco, the wine country, Central America and Europe. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Vella was an active member of Omega Nu, the Mavens' Book Club, and Bridge Club.
She leaves behind her husband of 42 years, Peter Vella of Modesto, her daughters, Elizabeth Vella Moeller and Tristan Day Vella; and twin grandchildren, Philip D. Moeller, Jr. and Caroline Vella Moeller.
Remembrances may be sent to the Vasculitis Foundation, P.O. Box 28660, Kansas City, MO, 64188-8660, or to a favorite charity.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /July 16, 2008
Born April 10, 1943 in Greenville, N.C., Donna was the daughter of Charles Brantley Bissette of Wilson, N.C. and Ola Day Uzzle Bissette of Wilson's Mills, N.C. She received her bachelor's degree in Education from East Carolina University after spending two years at St. Mary's College in Raleigh, N.C. She hailed from a long line of distinguished teachers and was honored as the North Carolina Student Teacher of the Year 1964-65. She moved to Modesto in 1965 when she was recruited to a position with Modesto City Schools. She taught at Tuolumne Elementary School near Ceres and Beard Elementary, before taking a sabbatical to raise her family. She earned her master's degree from U.O.P. and was a resource specialist at Shackelford Elementary School in South Modesto and later at Roosevelt Junior High in Modesto. Mrs. Day enjoyed traveling in the mountains and to Monterey/Carmel, San Francisco, the wine country, Central America and Europe. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Vella was an active member of Omega Nu, the Mavens' Book Club, and Bridge Club.
She leaves behind her husband of 42 years, Peter Vella of Modesto, her daughters, Elizabeth Vella Moeller and Tristan Day Vella; and twin grandchildren, Philip D. Moeller, Jr. and Caroline Vella Moeller.
Remembrances may be sent to the Vasculitis Foundation, P.O. Box 28660, Kansas City, MO, 64188-8660, or to a favorite charity.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /July 16, 2008
