It is with great heartbreak that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Vaunna C. Dardenne, who has lived in Fremont (Niles), California since 1965. She loved living in Niles and was proud to call Niles, the home of Charlie Chaplin, her home. Vaunna was born on December 20, 1935 and joined our Lord Jesus on June 24, 2022. As a young girl, she loved dancing and dreamed of being an actress. For two years early in her life, she was on television as assistant to KTVU's Jack LaLanne. She danced with a professional production group who danced for the USO, Alameda County fairs, Air Force bases and other venues. Vaunna found employment with a real estate company started by Jack Pimental (Mayor of Fremont, 1972-1974). She also modeled for Lisa Linn, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Joseph Magnin's, and many more. Her pictures would frequently adorn the pages of the News Register, now known as Eastbay Times. While continuing her modeling, she was hired by Safeway Grocery Stores and started working in the Office of Sanitation. She participated in theatre at Ohlone College and was a part of the cast of six performances. Vaunna would continue on to night school to obtain her real estate and her broker’s license. She was promoted to Safeway's Property Department, from which she retired. She would further go on to pursue her childhood dream of acting. Although she was mostly an extra, she started off playing the secretary on Nash Bridges. Her movies included Jack, Sweet November, The Wedding Planner, Milk, Matrix, Matrix 2 and 3, Zodiac and fourteen more movies. The best place to catch a glimpse of her is in Jack or The Wedding Planner. She always enjoyed working with Robin Williams because he always came and talked with all of the extras as if they were just as important as he was. She loved to travel and travelled the world and six seas.
Vaunna C. Dardenne is survived by her three children and their spouses, William and Diana Clark, Angela Clark and Anne Haggerty, and Kimberly and John Wagenbach. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Will Clark IV, Amanda Wagenbach, Jessica Fenlason, Gabrielle Vanner, Hillary Espinoza, and their spouses. Also, her four beloved great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held on July 31, 2022 at 2:30 pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 38451 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA.
Dearest Angela:
With My Deepest Condolences for Your beloved Mother Vaunna was & will always be a very Beautiful Classy Lady. I met Vaunna many years ago, through Angela what a Delightful & Gracious Gorgeous Lady we all had a Wonderful afternoon together. May she RIP. Angela what a Beautiful tribute to your Beloved Mother Vaunna
