April 23, 1924 - Aug. 29, 2012
Louise A. Fuller of Bend, OR, served our nation during World War II as a member of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary, then later in peace time as an overseas employee of
the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Louise was born in Boston,
MA, on April 23, 1924, to Carmen and Josephine (Giordano) Fuccillo and died August 29, 2012, at the age of 88.
Louise grew up in a home full of music with her sister, Mary Gloria, and her two brothers, Carmen "Ronnie", and Louis "Chuck".
Louise graduated from Revere High School in Boston, with high honors. Louise attended secretary school and was soon hired as a legal secretary.
Louise's desire for travel and to help others led her to join USAID. Her first assignment was Vietnam, where she served with distinction. Next, Louise was sent to Iran. Toward the end of her assignment, Louise met Melvin Fuller, who was serving in the Army in Iran. Louise and Melvin returned to the United States and were married in 1961
Louise and Melvin took over a restaurant in Byron, MN, that offered home cooked food and musical entertainment. Louise and Mel later moved to Ventura, CA, where they founded Inventors Workshop International, to assist inventors in bringing their inventions to the market.
In 1978, they worked with an entrepreneur to found Name a Star to provide a star naming service. They moved Name a Star to Fort Jones, CA. Louise and Mel led Name a Star as it transformed from mail order to the internet.
Louise was an active member of the Yreka Soroptimist Club. Louise and Mel retired in 1999, to Bend, OR.
Louise will be remembered by her family and friends for her Italian cooking and her great stories. She loved to entertain and looked forward to visits by her children and grandchildren.
Louise is survived by her brother, Chuck and his wife, Hilda of Boston; three children, Tonya Vaughan of Bend, OR, Lee Fuller of Deming, WA, Debra Crabtree of Joshua Tree, CA; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great- great-grandchild. Louise is also survived by eight nieces and nephews.
A private celebration of life will be held by the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Honor Flight of Eastern Oregon through the Bend Heroes Foundation www.bendheroes.org.
