Era S. Van Denburg

Era S. Van Denburg passed away at home on October 12, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.  She is the wife of Dale O. Van Denburg with whom she shared 66 years of marriage. 

Era was born November 19, 1922 to Neal Patrick and Martha Ann (Bullard) Sanderson of McColl, South Carolina.  A southern girl to the core, she never lost her southern hospitality, southern charm or her southern drawl. 

Era left home to work as a drill press operator in the Charleston, South Carolina Navy Yard during World War II.  She worked periodically throughout her life and especially enjoyed working for the US Census Bureau.  However, her true life’s work was caring for her family.

Era loved nature, writing, gardening, travel, and was an avid reader.  Her love of birds, nature and writing culminated in the publication of her book, “The Natural World of Ivy Lane”, which was published when she was 85 years old.  As a freelance journalist Era contributed many articles to the Daily Local News.  Era is a member and past president of the West Chester Bird Club.  Her homemade jams and jellies were always eagerly anticipated items at the bird clubs annual auction.

Era is survived by her husband Dale and their two daughters and sons-in-law: Karen and Gary Letcher of Garden City, MN and Gretchen and Dave Armstrong of West Chester.  Era was predeceased by her son, Kurt Van Denburg. Era is also survived by her grandchildren: David Armstrong of West Chester, Brent Fatticci and his wife Jerri of Harrisburg, NC; Erica Gay and her husband Chuck of Ardmore, OK; Brietta Voss and her husband RJ of Ames, IA; Julie DeLong and her husband Derek of Kutztown, PA; and Taniya Bethke and her husband Aric of Dallas, TX. Step grandchildren are Teri Braaten and her husband Chuck and Dion Letcher, all of Garden City, MN. Era took great delight in her great-grandchildren: Reilly and Reagan Fatticci; Jacelyn, Avie and Cannon Gay; Jaycent and Avery Voss; Calloway DeLong and step-great-grandsons Brandon and Tyler Braaten and his daughter Emilee.  

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 on October 22, 2016 at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church St. West Chester, PA, 19380, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com; Visitation will begin at 2:00.  

Thank you to the extremely competent and amazingly compassionate staff of Mainline Home Health Care and Hospice.

Contributions in Era’s memory may be made to The Nature Conservancy online (Nature.org>Membership & Giving>Honor & Tribute giving) or by phone (1-800-628-6860).

 Service Information