05-30-03obituaries

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Ojai, CA 93023
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Obituaries for the week ending December 19, 2003

William Norman Cooper

William Norman Cooper, 88, of Ojai, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003. He was born May 24, 1915 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The family moved back and forth between Winnipeg and Los Angeles several times while he was a child, but eventually settled in Los Angeles. Since his father was a U.S. citizen, Norman was able to claim his United States citizenship.
As a young child, he took an interest in religion, even before his parents became active in church work. As a child he decided that God was not a person, but the force that guides people to help others.
He was working in a nursing home in San Francisco when he was drafted during World War II. In the Air Force, he attained the rank of staff sergeant. Later in his life he would decide that all war is wrong, but at this time he was doing what he believed was right.
After the war he attended Chapman University and received a bachelor's degree. Later in life, he would attend a summer session at Oxford. After graduation, he became a religious healer and lecturer, traveling all over the world. He taught religion and has published numerous inspirational books.
Mr. Cooper has been active in many organizations. From his youth onward, he had comforted many people who were dying, so it was natural for him to join the Hospice as a volunteer. The American Association of Retired Persons awarded him a Certificate of Gratitude for dedicated service. The Photographic Society of America gave him associate standing.
He was led to the Quakers, where he found a people who believed in helping others, just as he did. He was active in the Ojai Friends Worship Group and became a member the Santa Barbara Friends Meeting, since Quaker worship groups do not have membership.
His interest in the theater led him to found "Salons on Sunday," which allowed local residents to express their musical and dramatic abilities. As the name salon suggests, the group originally performed in private homes, but grew so popular that it moved to Kent Hall of Little House.
For several years until his death, Mr. Cooper was editor of the Ministerial Association's Friday column in the Ojai Valley news.
He died of cancer in his home in Ojai where he was cared for by his friend, Dewey Val Schorre, with whom he lived for more than 30 years. He is survived by his brother, Albert Cooper; and by cousins Jean Carter, Coral O'Leary, Peggy Cooper, Joyce Williams, June Gibler, Maureen Robertson McDonald and Tom Johnstone.
A celebration of the life of W. Norman Cooper will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, in Fisher Hall of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on the corner of Ojai Avenue and Bristol Road. This will be a Quaker service in which those present sit in silence and speak about Mr. Cooper as the spirit moves them. A vegetarian potluck will follow.
In lieu of sending flowers, it is requested that his friends make a donation to their favorite charity.

Armetia M. Roberts

Armetia M. Roberts, 84, of Ojai, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Ventura of natural causes. She was born March 12, 1919 in Centralia, Kansas, and lived in Ojai for 29 years.
She volunteered as a docent at the Ojai Valley Historical Museum for many years. She also was a docent at both the Ventura County Museum and the Ronald Reagan Library. She found and displayed artifacts of historical value in the El Tovar Hotel in Grand Canyon, Ariz., where she worked for three years with her husband. She was a member of the Christian Women's Club and was active in the Ojai Valley Community Church. She hosted many Bible study classes in her home.
She is survived by her daughters, Cherrie Johnson of Simi Valley, Calif., and Merrie Preston of Norman, Okla.; son "Woody" DeForrest Elliott Roberts Jr. of Ventura, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Roberts was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Elliott Roberts, in 2001; her grandson Daniel Johnson; and sister Reata Boerner.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Clausen Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Moore officiating. Private Interment will be held at Oakwoodt Memorial Park, Chatsworth, Calif.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.

Barbara Feldstein

Barbara Feldstein, 51, of Ojai, died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003. She was born June 6, 1952 in New York City. She graduated from SUNY Buffalo with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She pursued her love of the arts throughout her life studying at The Art Students League in New York City and the Kansas City Art Institute. Barbara was an accomplished and prolific artist, photographer and writer who maintained a studio here in Ojai. Barbara's first love was for her husband and children. She also had a lifelong love for all animals, in fact, her first job after college was as a graphic artist at the Buffalo Zoo.
Barbara moved to Ojai in 1999 after spending most of her life in New York City and Long Island, New York. She rapidly embraced Ojai, becoming active in support of the Ojai Valley School, the Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and the Ojai Library. Barbara was an avid tennis player, an active participant in the local book club, and the founder of a weekly Scrabble game in Libbey Park.
Barbara died of cancer in her home in Ojai with her family at her bedside. She is survived by Gary, her husband of 21 years; her children, Maxine and Simon; her brother, Len; and cousins Karen and Barry.
In lieu of sending flowers, it is requested that friends make a donation to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Arrangements are under the direction of the privately owned and operated Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai.