Laverne (Simas) Bettencourt

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ~Psalm 23:6

LaVerne Bettencourt, beloved and dear to many, peacefully passed away on May 10th, 2025, at 93 years old, surrounded by family and friends. LaVerne Simas was born to M.S. & Lena Simas on June 30, 1931, and raised on the family dairy farm in Hanford with her two sisters.

LaVerne was fortunate to find the love of her life, Don Bettencourt, at 5 years old. After their very first meeting, she told her mother that she found the boy she’d one day marry. The childhood sweethearts were engaged on the eve of high school graduation, married at St. Brigid’s, and enjoyed each other’s unwavering love and companionship for over 80 years. They settled in their forever home in the countryside where they raised their three children.

With her first grandchild, Kama, LaVerne lovingly became known as “Meme” to the family. Meme was happiest when surrounded by family and one of her greatest joys came from filling her home with loved ones—especially during festive gatherings on Christmas and the Fourth of July. Her grandchildren enjoyed Meme introducing them to gentle words of guidance, beanie baby gifts, pool parties, and trips to the theatre, coast, and used book stores. She also left her family with fond holiday memories of sharing the most thoughtful and heartfelt cards, making homemade stuffing, and taking butterball shots with eggnog while her self-playing piano set the mood.

Meme often regaled stories of waiting for Don to return home from war, visiting her dear lifelong friends in local encampments at a young age, traveling to the Azores, and witnessing her father’s answered prayers for his daughters’ childhood ailments. When she could no longer attend weekly Adoration and Mass, she was steadfast in praying her rosary daily, watching Mass on TV, and reminiscing of watching Bishop Fulton Sheen’s “Life is Worth Living”.

With great joy and hope, Laverne looked forward to joining loved ones in Heaven. She was preceded in death by her husband and their son, Steve.  She is survived by her daughters and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Silva (Mike), Kathie Thomas (Mike), and Diane Bettencourt (Steve †); seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; her sisters, Vivian Clement Vargas and Beverly Baker; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her caregivers who brought her so much joy and comfort in her last years and days.

Services: Visitation will be on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Whitehurst-McNamara Funeral Home Rosary with funeral Mass on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00am at St. Brigid Catholic Church Followed by burial at Calvary cemetery & reception at Hanford Fraternal Hall. In LaVerne’s spirit and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity or church in need.

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