Verda May Boss

Verda May Boss, 88, of Mesa was born in Long Beach CA on March 17, 1935. Verda went home to join her parents Don and Gladys Van Buskirk, her son Donald Ric Umfleet and the love that made her life complete, Donald W. Boss on December 6, 2023.

She attended Cypress Elementary School in Cypress CA. Anaheim High in Anaheim CA and Excelsior High School in Norwalk CA. She married while in high school in November 1951 to Clifford G. Umfleet during the Korean conflict and together they were the parents to a daughter Vicki Joy and son Donald Ric, she unknowingly became an entrepreneur owning several businesses. She called herself a “Jack of all Trades and a Master of none.” From very early childhood she always said she “just” wanted to be a homemaker and a mother”, she grew up to believe it had to be in that order.

God had other plans and gave her a gifted mind for business. Verda did not have a formal education but was self-taught as she was constantly striving to improve herself and her love of God by taking time daily to read, study her bible and praying to be a better Christian and for God’s will in her life, which lead her, without her planning to become a cattle hauling truck driver, food truck caterer, cattle rustler, which eventually became the joint owner with her husband, of a small trucking business. To be more lady like and independent she became an owner and Hair Stylist/Ladies Wear Boutique, and bookkeeper, all at once from 1963-1984 which eventually years later, brought her to a Job Cost Accounting job with an Engineering Corp. after her divorce in 1985.

She was an active member of Alcoholic Anonymous since 1984.

Verda met her love, Don Boss in 1990 which led to her second marriage in 1992 until his sudden death in December 1998.

She then became a licensed Realtor and Notary Public. Then in 2003 she came to Scottsdale AZ at the encouragement of Amber her oldest granddaughter and continued her business until her retirement in Scottsdale AZ in 2008.

Verda was an active member and volunteer at Scottsdale Christian Church until she moved to Mesa AZ in 2014.

She was so very proud of her family and says, “till later” to daughter Vicki Conrow and grandkids Amber Conrow, Megan Garcia, Tamsen Conrow, Sativa Umfleet Meyer, Christopher Umfleet, Jillian Umfleet Racette, their spouses and all 12 of her greatgrandkids, 5 stepkids. She also called all the many dogs in the family her greatgrands except her own pets which she called her “kids.” 

A celebration party will take place to celebrate Verda’s life in California at a future date.

Donations can be made in her name to the following organizations: Scottsdale Christian Church, Phoenix Salvation Army, Phoenix Rescue Mission, or Arizona Humane Society.  

Verda's burial is scheduled for Saturday December 30th at 3pm. 
@ Forest Lawn - Covina Hills
     21300 Via Verde St
    Covina, CA 91724

We are having her Memorial Service - January 27th, 2024 - Noon 
@ Scottsdale Christian Church
     2334 N Scottsdale Rd
     Scottsdale, AZ 85257