Velma U. Deppe

“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” – John 13:34. Always inspired by the Lord, Velma’s love knew no bounds. The 7th of 17 children, from an early age she appreciated the value of family. Having helped care for such a large family, she would eventually share that warm compassion as a nurse. Originally she sought to support the war effort as part of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corp, she would eventually practice in Denver and later at Zurbrugg Hospital in Riverside. But, regardless of where she was, her nurturing side always remained constant. It wasn’t enough to simply help patients, she made it her goal to mentor and inspire young nurses to further their education and careers. And although she left nursing for a few years, it was only because nursing was a distant second to mothering. Even when she did return to nursing, she chose to work the night shift, just so she could spend the days with her children. rnIn 1952 Velma married John Deppe, and before his passing in 1993 their lives were blessed by their four children: John, William (Alicia), Edward (Karen) and Kaye Deppe. She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren: Stephanie Wilkins, Lori Maeder (Joseph), Robert McManus, Melissa Deppe, Matthew Deppe, and John Deppe Jr.; 4 great-grandchildren: Keighly Wilkins, Anna Wilkins, Marissa Maeder, and Joseph Maeder and her siblings: Dora Unruh (Manno), Arvin Unruh (Delores), Florence Dearing (Les), Maurine Christensen (Glen), Thelma Gibson (R.L.) and Derald Unruh (Shirley).rnCome celebrate Velma’s 89 loving years (Apr. 28, 1921-Nov. 20, 2010) Sunday from 7-9 PM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside and Monday from 10 am at the First Baptist Church, 216 Sunset Rd., Willingboro, where the service will follow at 11. Interment will be on Tuesday 1 PM at Roselawn Cemetery, Berwick, PA.rnIn lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Moorestown Visiting Nurses & Hospice, 300 Harper Dr. Moorestown, NJ 08057 or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation PO Box 515 Northampton, MA 01061-0515.rn