Vera Louise Cahill, a longtime resident of Turlock, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2023 with her beloved family at her side. She was 86 years old.
Vera was born in Modesto, CA on August 19, 1937 to parents James Cloe Bettes and Bessie Mae Bettes. Although she moved to Lemoore for a period of time, she always considered Modesto to be her hometown. It was there that she graduated from Downey High School (Class of 1954), and it was also there that she fell in love with Larry Cahill, her childhood sweetheart turned husband.
Larry and Vera were married on April 11, 1955. Together, they shared 77 beautiful years together; many of which were spent abroad while Larry served in the U.S. Air Force. Vera enjoyed being a military wife and traveled the U.S. and the globe with her growing family. Of all the things she did in her life, her most treasured role was being a wife, as well as a doting mother to the couple’s four children.
When Larry retired from the service, the family returned to the Central Valley and was active in their children’s education at Our Lady of Fatima School. Later on, Vera enjoyed being a part of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority group in Modesto. She was also an excellent gardener, as well as a talented cook and baker. Additionally, she and Larry had a passion for travel during their retirement, and could often be found enjoying Las Vegas, Hawaii, and various cruises.
When they weren’t traveling, Vera loved being with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will forever be remembered by them, and everyone else, for her kind and loving nature, as well as her generous spirit. Truly, she was a beautiful soul who touched many lives.
Vera is survived by her husband, Lawrence “Larry” Glenn Cahill Jr. and their four sons: Edwin James Cahill and wife Janice Cahill; Larry Allan Cahill and wife Charleen Cahill; Joseph Lloyd Cahill, and John Michael Cahill and wife Cindi Spears-Cahill. She also leaves behind ten beloved grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Vera is preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests making a monetary donation to St. Jude’s Hospital in Memory of Vera Cahill.
