Edna Vicari-Rasmussen

Edna Coury Rasmussen Vicari passed peacefully into the hands of God in her home in Camarillo surrounded by family and friends at her side on January 20, 2025, just two months and six days after celebrating 100 years with sixty family members and friends. She was a native southern Californian, born in Inglewood, November 14, 1924. Lover of travel, athletics and adventure, mom, daughter, mother, sister, successful businesswoman and friend...

She will be missed by all who knew her. Born to Sam and Elodia Coury, immigrant parents from Lebanon and Mexico, respectively, her formal education began at Hawthorne Elementary and Intermediate. She attended Leuzinger High School but had to leave before graduation to help her father in his dry-cleaning business during World War II, with 22 stores in Southern California and a plant in Hawthorne (“Coury Cleaners”). She loved working the front desk where she could meet and chat with customers, particularly one tall, handsome blond guy named Ernie Rasmussen. Father Sam recognized the loving match with the help of Adelle, who later became Sam’s lifelong partner and Edna’s closest confidant and 2nd Mom. He finally gave his approval and Ernie and Edna wed on June 9, 1945 in a diversified Lebanese/Danish wedding among Ernie’s eleven brothers and sisters, many in-laws and Edna’s extended family. Five children were added to the family circle and together they shared a love for camping in Bishop, California, sports (the Dodgers) and a commitment to family.

Tragedy struck in 1966 when her son, Lonnie was killed in a car accident. Edna grieved but continued to maintain her life for her living children and husband.

She experienced another deep loss; Sadly, Ernie passed February 23, 1971 of lung cancer. Edna took on the role of both mother and father and continued to instill the values of no complaining, hard work, get an education and determination. She always regretted not finishing high school and so in her fifties she went back to school to do just that. It was a crowning moment that exemplified those values the day she received her GED from the State of California, with “straight A’s” as the highlight of her accomplishment. Always willing to venture out, she went to a dance class and there met a special guy, Sal Vicari. They were married January 4, 1975, (passing in 2012). Her business career kicked into high gear when Adelle passed in 1992, and she was forced to take control of the real estate business and property investments in Hawthorne and Fontana her father started. She took charge of caring for the apartments her father had built (with Sal's help) doing whatever maintenance was required: painting, gardening, and electrical and carpentry repairs as well as vetting renters and collecting rents. She also took on the care of her sister, Lorraine, who was sweet-tempered though developmentally challenged. During this time she lost another son, Neal, in 2005, to pancreatic cancer; which hurt her deeply but Edna continued to focus on the life she generously shared with her remaining family.

Her overriding concern for her sister Lorraine was ALWAYS that she be happy, kindly cared for, and valued, visiting her nearly daily in the loving assisted living home she found for her. She moved to Camarillo shortly before Sal died in 2012, beginning a new chapter in her story. In her last decade she finally had the opportunity to fulfill her wish to travel. Her daughter, Joy, made sure that Edna saw the world on a number of cruises and trips, from New York City to Hawaii to Rome and Istanbul. This chapter was also marked by the gradual gathering together of remarkable women who cared for her, dubbed 'the galpals* in addition to her daughter, Jeanne, who was gifted with orchestrating the loving women God so graciously provided. Much more than mere caregivers, these “Galpals” considered her an adopted grandma and shared their lives and families with her, including her in their kids' sports activities, family dinners, and celebrations. Every day she and her galpal could be found at Coffee Bean with Edna hilariously commenting on the fashion sense of the customers coming in the door. In those early days, she was a voracious reader and learner, plowing through several library books a week and historical DVD's. To a one, the galpals all agreed that Edna offered a listening ear, practical advice and wisdom gained from overcoming numerous life challenges. Her last five years saw her slow down but what remained constant was her shining smile and unwavering gratefulness for kindnesses served her. She is survived by her son, Ray Rasmussen (Cathy), her two daughters, Jeanne McCollum (Larry) and Joy Rasmussen Otterman (Ken), daughters-in-law, Cinda Heiman (Randy) and Lynda VanNoorden Verdugo (Richard), many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so many other family members.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Edna's memorial page on Samaritan's Purse (samaritanspurse.org) or to MercyCrusade.com

(animal rescue).