05-30-03obituaries

Ojai Post Office
and Comet Hale-Bopp,
as photographed by
Michael McFadden

Place a classified

Real estate

Related sites

THE OVN
408A Bryant Circle
Ojai, CA 93023
805.646.1476

e-mail:

Letter to the Editor

Guest Editorial

Thumbs Up or Down

Staff mailboxes

Obituaries for the week ending November 28, 2003

Shirley Sue Jacobs

Shirley Sue Jacobs, 68, of Ojai, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 at her home of congestive heart failure. She was born July 26, 1935 in Holdenville, Okla., and lived in Ojai for 30 years coming from Porterville, Calif.
Mrs. Jacobs was a homemaker, stenographer and rehabilitated hummingbirds. She was affiliated with the Ojai Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation and also with the Dudes-n-Darlings Square Dance Club.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joe Jacobs of Ojai; son Jeff A. Jacobs of Helena, Mont.; daughter and son-in-law Terri L. and Tim Holder of Bakersfield, Calif.; brothers and sisters-in-law Ronnie and Darlene Dilday of California Hot Springs, and Russell and Carolyn Dilday of Wynnewood, Okla.; sister and brother-in-law Brenda and Roy Phillips of Lebanon, Ore.; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Friends may call at Clausen Funeral Home today from 2 to 7 p.m.
Graveside Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Nordhoff Cemetery, Ojai, with Pastor Scott Harrell officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ojai Valley Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, (805) 649-6884.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Ethel Elizabeth Henry

Ethel Elizabeth Henry, 96, of Ojai, died Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 at Royal Gardens due to an extended illness. She was born Nov. 30, 1906 in Annville, Pa.
She is survived by daughter Nancy S. Salamandra of Potomac, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C.; brother Luther A. Saylor of Philadelphia, Pa.; three grandchildren, Bob and Kevin Salamandra and Karen Natelli; and seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Clausen Funeral Home, Sunday, Nov. 30, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1212 Maricopa Highway, Ojai, on Monday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to Help of Ojai, P.O. Box 621, Ojai, CA 93024, or Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Bernice Small

Bernice Small, 89, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family and friends, on Thursday, November 20, 2003 in Vacaville, Calif. She was born on April 11, 1914 in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Dr. Herbert T. and Olive Barnes. She graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., and then traveled to Denver, Colo., where she met her husband, John Small. They moved to New York where they raised three daughters. In 1970 the Smalls retired to Ojai, Calif., where Bernice devoted her time both to the community and to her husband until his death in 1980. She moved from Ojai in 1999 to be closer to her daughters.
Mrs. Small was a homemaker, a teacher, an avid reader and writer as well as an active community volunteer. She was editor of her college newspaper. She worked in advertising in Denver. While her children were growing up in New York she was a leader in many non-profit organizations, including the PTA, the American Cancer Society and the North Shore Child Guidance Clinic. She also taught High School English and Latin, Swimming and Special Education.
After her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Mrs. Small focused her energy on the care and comfort of her husband and on community issues related to caring for the chronically ill. She was director and promoter of Hospice of Ojai, during its inception between 1977 and 1979. She was an assistant facilitator for an Alzheimer's disease support group in Ojai between 1984 and 1986. She was involved in local senior theatrical productions, was a frequent contributor of letters and promotional articles to the Ojai Valley News, and was a member of Ojai United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Small loved to travel back to her Adirondack camp each summer in her camper with her companion dog, Toasty. She also enjoyed entertaining, sometimes creating theme dinners with her Ojai friends. She enjoyed a good philosophical discussion and never stopped searching for meaning within her life's journey. In the end she found that meaning in the 42nd Chapter of the Book of Job, and in the unconditional love given to her by her family, friends at Valley Church in Vacaville, and devoted staff at the Good Neighbor Care Home where she resided at her death. Despite the sad fact that she had lost her easy use of language after a stroke, she knew contentment and peace. She died with dignity.
Bernice Small is survived by daughters Elaine and Genora; grand daughter, Colleen; son-in-law, Bob; siblings, Herbert and Mary Ann; many nieces, nephews and loyal friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her daughter, Carolyn; and her son-in-law, Ronald.
Arrangements are by Vaca Hills Chapel in Vacaville. No formal services are planned. As an expression of love and sympathy and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association.