b'In the same breath, he recalled Veras com-PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANGELA YOO.petitive streak and diamond-tough formidability. She really liked to compete, he said. She played basketball and loved to golf. There was a poker group she played with frequently. And her favorite television show was Shark Tank, about which she had all kinds of opinions about who shouldve done what. Through years of meaningful companionship with Bro. Tom, dishing out Italian recipes over the phone and visiting supper clubs together that involved after-meal dances, Veraraised Catholic and a patron of St. Ladislas Catholic Church in Westlake, Ohiobecame increasingly interested in the Marianists. Her first donation to them arrived anonymously in 2000. Before long, Veras generosity helped to build a library in Malawi in Eastern Africa, a region the Marianists began serving in 1957 and now supports four Marianist schools with thousands of students.Many of her benefactions were for children, Bro. Tom said. While she didnt have children of her own, they were central to her generosity, and she volunteered at a childrens hospital as what used to be called a candy-striper. Angela Yoo, Veras paternal cousin who was her caretaker in recent years, called her olderor a line from the Apostles Creed. Or shed wantVera DICola enjoyed eating cousin the most generous in our family circle.to know about my life living with Marianists.out and engaging with There was an employee at Veras bank whoVeras razor-sharp mind imbued her with aservers.had a picture of his child displayed on his desk,penchant for asking a million questions, good Angela said. She inquired about the child andquestions, but her faith was deep and simple, learned they had cerebral palsy, so she wrote aBro. Tom said.check for the employee to help with medical costs.She used the term the Lord to refer to God, A 32-year age gap between Angela and Veraand there would be real colloquial conversations kept them from becoming close until later years. between her and the Lord. I think she wouldve liked to be a motherIn Bro. Toms possession is a bust of Don to me, but we didnt connect at that point in ourQuixote, the adventurous title character oflives, Angela said. She was a tough lady, butMiguel de Cervantes world-acclaimed novel, she wanted me to enjoy my life. When she gavegifted to him from none other than Vera.my husband and me some money to finallyA veritable symbol for their priceless bond. take a vacation to New Mexico, she was soTo his faithful friend, Bro. Tom sends a lasting happy we did that. To enjoy Gods creation.message, deep and simple like her faith: When asked what one of their many conver- Thank you, Vera, for being with us andBrother Tom Giardino, SMsations about faith might have sounded like,sparkling for so long. Bro. Tom shared: Maybe a homily at church she didnt understand and wanted to discuss,Alex Z. Salinas is a writer from San Antonio.marianist.com/donate7'