Tribute to Vera

Vera A Wilson

Today we are Celebrating a very special person's life. As you all may know we recently lost our beloved Vera A Wilson. While it is never easy to lose those dearest to our hearts we feel deeply blessed to have had the honor and privilege of knowing such an incredible lady. Vera was loved and admired by many. Truly an icon in our community. She was active in the St Paul Lutheran Church, Red Cross, Business and Professional Woman's Association, Community Concert Association, Douglas County Historical Society and the Lutheran's Women's Missionary League.

She began working at Roseburg Book & Stationery in 1934 and remained working there for over 76 years when she retired. A dedicated employee she was for sure. She met many people while working here. Everyone adored her. To this day people still stop by the store to ask about Vera. How could you forget one of the sweetest most helpful ladies in Roseburg, you just don't. :)

I want to share with you some memories that were shared by her Nephew.

I REMEMBER.....when I was very young walking down Sheridan Street and seeing all of the ladies with their fancy clothes. I used to follow them because I thought that they were so pretty and I was intrigued by them. Some of them walked pets. I knew that they lived up above the stores on Sheridan Street. I had no idea then, what they were all about and the profession that those ladies were in. I was just an innocent kid.

I REMEMBER...when I was a young girl, my brother Bud, and I would sell apples at the train station. In those days, there was a morning train, an evening train, and a midnight train. We were supposed to stay on the sidewalk to sell the apples but my brother would always go onto the train, despite the rules, and sell all of his apples right away. Meanwhile, I stood out on the sidewalk with my basket full of apples, not making many sales. He used to make me so mad.

I REMEMBER...rollerskating a lot when I was a kid. I was a real daredevil. I used to hang onto the backs of cars and have them pull me down the street. I would do everything that I could think of on my skates. I remember telling my Mother about all of the things that I did. She would frown upon that but my Dad, he used to get a kick out of it and say, "that's hilarious". I wasn't supposed to, but I kept on being a daredevil on my skates.

I had the honor of working along side of Vera for a couple of years and I truly enjoyed her stories of her childhood and growing up in Roseburg. How she met her husband. That she was an excellent tennis player. How she reminisced about playing matches on the tennis court on Elk Island.

We would love for you to share your memories of Vera here on our page.

I will close this post with one of Vera's favorite poems.

I REMEMBER...the poem that I treasure the most. "I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree. A tree that may in summer wear, a nest of Robins in her hair. A tree that looks to God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray. Poems are made by fools like me but only God can make a tree."

(Note: "Rememberances" taken from Saint Paul Lutheran's Church Memorial Service program)