Brevard Zoo Founding Member Velma Jane Jacobs Sterner Passed Away July 17 at Age 92
By Space Coast Daily // July 21, 2018
settled in Melbourne, Florida in 1973
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Velma Jane Jacobs (Sherdon Moore) Sterner was born on September 4, 1925, in Toledo, Ohio to Ernst and Margaret Jacobs. She passed away on July 17, 2018, at 92 years of age.
Mrs. Sterner grew up in Toledo and later resided in Truckee, California, and Plainfield and Lebanon, NJ before settling in Melbourne, Florida in 1973. Velma is pre-deceased by her husband, John Calvin Sterner.
Velma was a member of the Blossom Hill Community Church in Lebanon, NJ, where she also served as church clerk. She was a dedicated volunteer all her life starting as a “candy striper” at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, NJ in 1942.
Later in life, Velma volunteered for the Red Cross, Easter Seals, and the Brevard Zoo where she was also a Founding Member. Velma was a charter member and held a Board position at the Exotic Bird Club of Florida, and she voluntarily taught two Tai Chi courses at a local church in Melbourne. At the time of her passing, Velma was a parishioner at Palmdale Presbyterian Church.
Velma is survived by her five children including sons, Curtis M. Sherdon of Diamond Bar, CA, Scott Sherdon of Lexington, SC, Robert W. Moore, Jr. and his wife Tara of Somers, NY, Dennis A. Moore and his wife, Angela of Alpharetta, GA and a daughter, Sharon Sherdon Wescoe of Bangor, PA.
She is also survived by seven grandchildren including Jennifer N. Rees and her husband Jason of Jacksonville, NC, Corey T. Wescoe and his wife Rachel of Bridgewater, NJ, Cassandra R. Murphy and her husband Daniel of Broomfield, CO, Tiffany D. Moore, Elizabeth J. Moore and Dennis A. Moore, Jr. of Alpharetta, GA and Robert W. Moore III of Somers, NY.
Additionally, Velma was the proud great-grandmother of four – Graham and Remy Wescoe of Bridgewater, NJ and Aryana and Sona Rees of Jacksonville, NC.
Visitation will be held at 12:30 pm on Sunday, July 22 with a Celebration of Life immediately following at 1:00 pm at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brevard Zoo.
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