(Posted 31 Jan 2006)
DICUS, Vada Ailene Died quietly at her home early Saturday morning
January 21, 2006 after a valiant battle with cancer. She was surrounded
by her loving family during her long and difficult illness. She and her
husband Douglas were together for 42 years, residing the last 30 in
Santa Rosa. Born Vada Ailene Scroggins in Eugene, Oregon, 65 years ago
to parents
Norman and
Nola Scroggins. She graduated from Springfield
High School with honors, receiving several academic scholarships. She
continued on to the University of Oregon at Eugene, earning a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Foreign Languages and a Masters of Arts in Education.
She was a member of the Pi Delta Phi (National French Honorary) and the
Phi Beta Kappa Society as well as several professional organizations.
After graduation, she taught high school in Oregon before relocating to
California with her husband where she elected to postpone her career to
be with her small children. The Medical Field in Health Information was
her next career choice, requiring additional classes for the necessary
certifications. This work was done while attending to a growing, active
family. She began at North Coast Rehabilitation Center as a Coder and
with hard work and dedication advanced to become the Director of Health
Information until just before Memorial Hospital gained control. Again,
this professional success was accomplished while acting as the center
of her devoted family. Not satisfied to be idle, she continued in the
field as a Coder for several years with Sutter Hospital where she
worked well into the final stages of her illness. She is survived by a
son Timothy Michael Dicus, his wife Karen Miyo Dicus, and two
granddaughters Alex Akemi and Amy Kiyomi Dicus all of Huntington Beach.
Daughters Deborah Sue Dicus, Jennifer Anne Williams, and granddaughter
Hailey Sue Williams reside here in Santa Rosa. She is also survived by
her siblings
Duane Scroggins of Washington,
Dwight Scroggins and
Ardith
Hinman, both of Oregon. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on
Sunday, February 12 at Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Ave.,
Santa Rosa. For those who cannot attend the service or for anyone who
wishes, a written account of the experience or remembrance of Vada is
encouraged. Send to Doug Dicus, 4734 Foulger Drive, Santa Rosa, CA
95405, or dvdicus@sonic.net. Some of these accounts may be heard at the
service and all will be shared at her home afterward. All family and
guests are invited for a gathering at the address above to continue
this celebration of Vada's life. In lieu of flowers the family requests
that donations in her memory be made to any local children's charity or
Memorial Hospice, 821 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95401. DANIELS
CHAPEL OF THE ROSES FUNERAL CREMATION SERVICES 707-525-3730
Published in the Press Democrat [Santa Rosa, CA] on 1/29/2006.