Colette Urban Vonderhaar

Colette “Letty” Urban Vonderhaar

With deep love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, the family of Colette “Letty” Urban Vonderhaar announces her passing on July 7, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born in Johnson City, New York, Letty devoted her life to caring for others. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, she spent many years serving patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY. Compassion was more than part of her profession; it was simply who she was. Even after retirement, her servant’s heart never slowed. For more than two decades, she faithfully volunteered at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Thrift Store in Hampton, helping neighbors, welcoming strangers, and finding joy in serving those in need.

Faith was the foundation of Letty’s life. She loved God deeply and often reminded those she loved that, no matter the circumstance, “It’s in God’s hands.” Her faith was not something she merely professed; it was something she worked to live more fully each day. She believed there was always room to grow and always another opportunity to become a better Christian, a better friend, and a better person. That quiet humility shaped the way she lived and the way she cared for others.

To know Letty was to know laughter. She was funny, creative, generous, and loving, with a warmth that naturally drew people to her. She loved cooking for her family, making crafts, discovering hidden treasures while thrifting, and spending time with her beloved cat. She found happiness in simple things and believed that life’s greatest blessings were often the ones shared with others.

Family was the center of her world. She was devoted to her husband, Gareth, known to family and friends as Gary. They met on a blind date arranged by cousin Bob after Gary returned home from military service and Letty was working at the hospital. What began with that first meeting grew into a loving marriage of 58 years, built on faith, devotion, laughter, and an enduring commitment to one another.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Letty filled her family with love and left them lessons they will carry forward. Good manners mattered to her, and she would not abide poor manners in her presence. She believed kindness, respect, and character were important, yet she also encouraged a creative spark and understood that sometimes it was perfectly acceptable to color outside the lines. That balance of principle and imagination was part of what made her unforgettable.

Letty was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Stephen Balan, and by her sister, Stephney “Skippy” Welch, brothers-in-law, David Welch and Donald Vonderhaar and niece, Paula Welch.

She is survived by her husband, Gareth D. Vonderhaar; her children, Renee Vonderhaar (Vanessa), James Vonderhaar (Deidre), Becky Collins (Michael), and Ricky Jon Vonderhaar (Karen); her cherished grandchildren, Sean, Katelyn, Patrick, Jensen, Alyxandrea, Joseph, Samantha, Savannah, and Wyatt; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Miriah, Evelyn, Leon, Penelope, Missy, Asher, and Waylan. She is also remembered by extended family, sister-in-law Rose Vonderhaar, nephews and niece Randy Vonderhaar, Chris Welch, Ron Vonderhaar, Timothy Welch, Monica Passante and their spouses and children; dear friends, fellow parishioners, and the many people whose lives were brightened by her kindness and generosity.

Though her family grieves her absence, they find comfort in knowing that she is at peace in the presence of the Lord she trusted throughout her life. Her legacy lives on in every shared meal, every act of kindness, every burst of laughter, every lesson in good manners, and every reminder that faith can carry us through what we cannot control.

Those who knew Letty can almost hear her voice one more time, offering reassurance with the simple words she spoke so often: “You’re fine.” Then, with the quiet confidence that defined her faith, she would smile and remind them, “It’s in God’s hands.”

A Funeral Mass celebrating Letty’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 Buckroe Avenue, Hampton, Virginia. Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions in Hampton, 757-825-8070.