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Sandra Coopersmith

Ursula gives “from her heart.”

Anyone who knows Ursula Vera might have uttered those words from her niece, Alice Barriciello. “Whether it be money or in-kind food donations, she and Albert could always be counted on to help, benefiting schools, athletic organizations and teams, churches of all denominations and groups and individuals inside and outside of Culver City,” Barriciello added.

Vera has been a Culver City fixture for decades and many in the city have fond recollections of the life, love and laughter she has brought to city residents, chiefly from behind the counter of Sorrento Italian Market, a Culver City landmark established in 1963.

Several groups have recognized Vera for her generosity, including Culver City Unified School District, Culver City Friends of the Library, AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization), SAVES (St. Augustine Volunteer Emergency Services), Sunkist Park Neighborhood Watch and Culver City Education Foundation, among others.

And although Vera has not been as active since developing kidney disease, she is still as beloved as ever.

“Ursula placed ads for me each year in my high school yearbook and donated to each cause I came to her with, chocolate bar drives included. I know she did the same for many other students inside and outside of Culver City schools who asked her for donations,” said Barriciello, adding, “We all knew we could always count on Ursula.”

“She’s very private, modest, yet very loving,” said Marta Zarazoga, who met Vera as a customer in the market. “Her first love is family and there isn’t a cause in Culver City she’s ever turned away, from youth to seniors and all in between. Her thoughtfulness, unquestionable ethics, patience, unconditional love and unwavering friendship - I’m at a loss for words to give a proper acknowledgment. I enjoy and am privileged to have her as a friend and a friend of my family. She is an honorable person and a complete lady.”

Born in Cologne, Germany in 1936, long-time Culver City resident Vera arrived in the United States in the late 1950s as the wife of a serviceman. The marriage didn't last but yielded one son, Ralph. What seemed like a setback at the time put her on course to meet the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life.

Albert Vera Sr. was on his delivery route in the early 60s when he was introduced to his Aunt Rose’s pretty neighbor. On one of his visits he brought the young lady a panetonne as a gift. “As a German girl Ursula was not aware of this Italian holiday bread,” said Barriciello. “She thought he gave her an old stale, dry cake!”

Regardless, the courtship blossomed into marriage - a union that ended with Vera Sr.’s death earlier this year.

Early in her marriage to Albert, Vera remained at home, caring for the two children, Ralph and Albert Jr., while her husband operated the market. In 1971, she joined him in working at Sorrento, entertaining customers on a daily basis.

While running a small business and family kept her on her toes, Vera always made charity a high priority. She felt strongly about giving back to the Culver City community that she felt had blessed her in so many ways.

And if the stress levels rose at work, Vera was her husband’s rock. “Albert could be irascible,” long-time friend Steve Gourley chuckled, “and when visitors left his back office on those occasions, Ursula would catch them on the way out to reassure them that ‘it would be OK.’ Albert was the spirit and leader but you can’t measure the massive contribution she made to him, the store and the community, and how she’d back him up. Virtually the entire community is in love with her because of her humor, generosity and tolerance.”

Gourley added that he visits Vera weekly and brings her jokes. He called her “an emcee, a regular New York Stock Exchange of jokes.”

Sadie Cerda, another personal friend of Vera, said she “can’t even remember a time without all the love, wisdom and kindness embodied by Ursula. I had a meeting for 25 or 30 people. Somehow I goofed and didn’t order the sandwiches. I called Ursula in a panic right before noon and she said, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ and fixed the sandwiches. ‘I made them all myself!’ she told me. And they were delicious. That’s the kind of person she is.”

Albert Vera Jr. believes the greatest thing he learned from his mother is “to find the silver lining in every situation, regardless of how bleak it is. Mom always was able to take from any bad situation some blessing or positive result. She learned not to let the bad things in life get her down. I hope to carry that trait on in my life."

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