Doreen Marie Westaway (Pedro) was born in Duluth, MN on January 30, 1924. Her memories as an only child were rich and seemed exaggerated, until some of us walked the streets with her one summer. We discovered that school actually WAS "that far" from her childhood home and being in Duluth, her daily trek REALLY WAS in deep snow! The movie theater that she sneaked into on Saturday mornings was even farther than that!
She became the young bride of Orlando John Pedro, and while he was becoming a decorated WWII Air Force Lt. Col., she fought the battles at home, raising seven children. We all remember a house full of LIFE. Each of the seven had a unique "bent", but our mom nurtured us as individuals. She taught us. She LISTENED. Life lessons were poured on us constantly. And her biggest tool was her sense of humor, sprinkled with wit. The mistakes of siblings became teaching tools, while the victories became reasons to celebrate together. She taught us to be proud of one another and loyal. Fiercely loyal.
Food was a centerpiece of family life. We ate in happiness, and we ate in sorrows: huge pots of homemade spaghetti, and ALWAYS a jar full of fresh baked cookies. Bags of groceries were gathered before each of the many road trips, where along the way, there were guaranteed stops at a roadside park ….then a week at the beach where GRANDKIDS became the focus! "Grandma" Pedro insisted on FUN…laughter or else! From dawn to beyond dark, the little ones stayed at the beach, trying to teach "Greenie" how to see and find sharks' teeth, and letting her soothe the blisters on places the sunscreen missed. Ah! Galveston with "Grandma D"… dinner was always ready and tasted better at the beach!
No one could solve a crossword puzzle like this lady!...or create Scrabble words to make you laugh, or dominate everyone in "Triominos"…she had more fun than any of us and while she didn't seem to mind whether she won or lost, somehow all her offspring ended up with crazy competitiveness…how did she do that? Wherever she went, people NOTICED her, because a spark of laughter would rush in with her, and she would look you in the eye, so you knew you were included in the fun. People felt special around "mom", so they liked her a lot.
Above all else, she was the most amazing example of how to love. God was the Target she pointed us to. The Goal for our lives was to go His Way. She was wise: no one ever got away with anything, and she knew our friends better than we did. She could discipline "for your own good". She had enduring ears to hear sorrows, but knew when to tell you to "snap out of it". And if her discipline was hard, she quickly restored and mended the wounds…usually with a comment to make you laugh through the tears.
As she entered the years where her new friends were her caregivers, she brought them into her world by the same means. Make them laugh, share meals, give a wink or roll the eyes, but let them know they are an important part of the fun.
She was an only child, lived a humble life, and out of her life sprung seven kids, 23 grandkids, 21 great-grandkids and counting, plus many in-laws. Well over 50 people in all and more to come! One life. Doreen Marie Pedro. A life lived so well, and now returned to The Great Creator she trusted in. We love you Mom, Grandma, Greenie, and we thank God for sharing you with us.
Doreen is preceded in death by her husband Orlando; daughter, Marceen Strauss; sons–in-law, Doug Strauss and Doyle Bridgefarmer and daughter-in-law, Linda Knuckels Pedro.
Doreen will be greatly missed by her family that will cherish her memories including her children; Steve Pedro and wife Jeri, Richard Pedro, Mary Bridgefarmer , Jeannie Johnson, Janie Street and husband James, Virginia Vaughan and husband David; Grandchildren, Natasha, Steven Jr. and wife Jennifer, Tiffiny, Christy and husband Chad, Farrah and husband Nate, Lindy and husband Andre, Michelle and husband Patrick, Tracie Brown, Shanna and husband Raymond, Shilo and husband John, Nick and wife Christy, Josh, Huston and wife Lacey, Jordon, Juston, Hanson, Chanelle and husband Sam, Lacey, Shala, Garret and wife Aimee, Davie, Tanner and wife Ashton, Samuel; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Caitlin, Cassidy, Chase, Luke, Rachel, Jack, Ava, Ethan, Emily, Chelsea, Payden, Tommy, Tyler, Jacob, Jordan, Lexi, Skye, Adalyn Marie (due October 2nd), Ripken and Ryder.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/ Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 17th. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 17, 2013 in the Memorial Chapel at Cook-Walden/ Capital Parks Funeral Home with interment to follow at Cook-Walden/ Memorial Hill Cemetery.
Doreen Marie Westaway (Pedro) was born in Duluth, MN on January 30, 1924. Her memories as an only child were rich and seemed exaggerated, until some of us walked the streets with her one summer. We discovered that school actually WAS "that far" from her childhood home and being in Duluth, her daily trek REALLY WAS in deep snow! The movie theater that she sneaked into on Saturday mornings was even farther than that!
She became the young bride of Orlando John Pedro, and while he was becoming a decorated WWII Air Force Lt. Col., she fought the battles at home, raising seven children. We all remember a house full of LIFE. Each of the seven had a unique "bent", but our mom nurtured us as individuals. She taught us. She LISTENED. Life lessons were poured on us constantly. And her biggest tool was her sense of humor, sprinkled with wit. The mistakes of siblings became teaching tools, while the victories became reasons to celebrate together. She taught us to be proud of one another and loyal. Fiercely loyal.
Food was a centerpiece of family life. We ate in happiness, and we ate in sorrows: huge pots of homemade spaghetti, and ALWAYS a jar full of fresh baked cookies. Bags of groceries were gathered before each of the many road trips, where along the way, there were guaranteed stops at a roadside park ….then a week at the beach where GRANDKIDS became the focus! "Grandma" Pedro insisted on FUN…laughter or else! From dawn to beyond dark, the little ones stayed at the beach, trying to teach "Greenie" how to see and find sharks' teeth, and letting her soothe the blisters on places the sunscreen missed. Ah! Galveston with "Grandma D"… dinner was always ready and tasted better at the beach!
No one could solve a crossword puzzle like this lady!...or create Scrabble words to make you laugh, or dominate everyone in "Triominos"…she had more fun than any of us and while she didn't seem to mind whether she won or lost, somehow all her offspring ended up with crazy competitiveness…how did she do that? Wherever she went, people NOTICED her, because a spark of laughter would rush in with her, and she would look you in the eye, so you knew you were included in the fun. People felt special around "mom", so they liked her a lot.
Above all else, she was the most amazing example of how to love. God was the Target she pointed us to. The Goal for our lives was to go His Way. She was wise: no one ever got away with anything, and she knew our friends better than we did. She could discipline "for your own good". She had enduring ears to hear sorrows, but knew when to tell you to "snap out of it". And if her discipline was hard, she quickly restored and mended the wounds…usually with a comment to make you laugh through the tears.
As she entered the years where her new friends were her caregivers, she brought them into her world by the same means. Make them laugh, share meals, give a wink or roll the eyes, but let them know they are an important part of the fun.
She was an only child, lived a humble life, and out of her life sprung seven kids, 23 grandkids, 21 great-grandkids and counting, plus many in-laws. Well over 50 people in all and more to come! One life. Doreen Marie Pedro. A life lived so well, and now returned to The Great Creator she trusted in. We love you Mom, Grandma, Greenie, and we thank God for sharing you with us.
Doreen is preceded in death by her husband Orlando; daughter, Marceen Strauss; sons–in-law, Doug Strauss and Doyle Bridgefarmer and daughter-in-law, Linda Knuckels Pedro.
Doreen will be greatly missed by her family that will cherish her memories including her children; Steve Pedro and wife Jeri, Richard Pedro, Mary Bridgefarmer , Jeannie Johnson, Janie Street and husband James, Virginia Vaughan and husband David; Grandchildren, Natasha, Steven Jr. and wife Jennifer, Tiffiny, Christy and husband Chad, Farrah and husband Nate, Lindy and husband Andre, Michelle and husband Patrick, Tracie Brown, Shanna and husband Raymond, Shilo and husband John, Nick and wife Christy, Josh, Huston and wife Lacey, Jordon, Juston, Hanson, Chanelle and husband Sam, Lacey, Shala, Garret and wife Aimee, Davie, Tanner and wife Ashton, Samuel; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Caitlin, Cassidy, Chase, Luke, Rachel, Jack, Ava, Ethan, Emily, Chelsea, Payden, Tommy, Tyler, Jacob, Jordan, Lexi, Skye, Adalyn Marie (due October 2nd), Ripken and Ryder.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/ Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 17th. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 17, 2013 in the Memorial Chapel at Cook-Walden/ Capital Parks Funeral Home with interment to follow at Cook-Walden/ Memorial Hill Cemetery.
Inscription
ORLANDO J PEDRO
LT COL US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II KOREA
FEB 6 1920 † FEB 16 1986
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DOREEN WESTAWAY PEDRO
WIFE MOM GRANDMA
GREATGRANDMA
JAN 30 1924 † SEP 12 2013
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