Obituaries

December 16, 2009
Obituaries

Madeline B. Ricards

7/25/19-11/25/09

Madeline B. Ricards died suddenly on November 25, 2009 while vacationing in San Felipe, Baja California. Madeline was the daughter of Devoe Bingham and Anne Herrmann Bingham. She was born in Mount Kisco, New York on July 25, 1919.

She spent her youth in Chappaqua, New York. One aspect of her more adventuresome and caring nature showed up early when she assisted her father’s tow truck driver while rescuing motorists’ cars out of snowdrifts.

Madeline trained as a secretary and moved to Greenwich Village and worked in Manhattan. Moving west, she settled in Sierra Madre, California. Her first job was making orchid corsages for Descanso Gardens, which were sold in New York for five dollars. Later she worked for the Bank of Sierra Madre, where she trained for a management position.

While in Sierra Madre, Madeline met, through the help of a “matchmaker,” Gwen Dewey, her future husband, John “Ric” Ricards. They subsequently moved to Topanga Canyon, Somis and Fillmore (Bardsdale). 

In Bardsdale they lived in a Quonset hut on a small ranch that had goats, rabbits and chickens. Madeline helped with the birth of new kid goats, milking, feeding, and nursing them back to health when sick.

They then moved to Santa Paula in 1955. In Santa Paula Madeline worked as a secretary for Mupu School District until her retirement. 

She volunteered for many organizations, both during and after her retirement. She helped co-found the Santa Paula Society of the Arts, volunteered for the Santa Paula Suicide Prevention Hotline, drove for Community Assistance of Santa Paula (CASP), served as a “pink lady” for the former Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, and, until recently, tutored for the Blanchard Community Library’s FLAIR program. Madeline truly enjoyed helping others.

Her hobbies included painting, traveling, reading and solving crossword puzzles. She has many canvas paintings that were done over the years, including a few that she considered her “breakthrough” pieces in her own personal accomplishment.

Her travels ranged from Europe to Hawaii and from Alaska to Central America. Madeline spent many days accompanying Rick on his overnight science field trips. Her last trip with family was through the Panama Canal in December 2008.

Madeline raised four sons, Jeff (deceased), Will, Pete and John, and is survived by five grandchildren, Jeff, Brian, Jennifer, Mary and Joseph.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Santa Paula.

 

Jacqueline “Jackie, J.D.” Walker

Jacqueline Dolores Walker, local artist, beloved wife, mother, and friend of many, died peacefully at home on Thursday, December 3, 2009, with her loving husband Walt at her side. 

Jackie, as she was known to friends and family, was born on October 6, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio. It was there, at the Dayton Art Institute, that Jackie began her lifelong passion for the arts.  

After graduating from local schools, she came west at age 19 to Los Angeles to begin her career. She spent her days working and nights studying at Chouinard Art Institute. 

A fateful trip to Laguna Beach in the summer of 1949 is where she met the love of her life, Walter W. Walker, while hitchhiking down Pacific Coast Highway. They married one year later on September 22nd 1950. They started a family and lived in Whittier, CA before finally settling in Santa Paula, CA in 1966.  

Jackie dove into her new life as a mother with her usual compassion, zeal and wit, dedicating herself to family, friends, community, and to her art. Of her many pursuits, including volunteering, playing golf and bridge, she was most devoted to her life as an artist.

She and an intrepid group of artists founded the Santa Paula Society of the Arts. Later she became a founding member of the California Gold Coast Watercolor Society. She was proud to be a lifetime member of both groups, and today her art can be found all over the world. 

Jackie, or ‘J.D.’ as she was known, and Walt, her devoted husband and best friend for over 60 years, were bit by the travel bug. They were inspired to travel after being host parents to four exchange students, each living with them for one year. After Walt’s retirement in 1977, he and Jackie spent the next 25 years satisfying their quest for adventure, education and experiencing new things. They crisscrossed the globe and made legions of friends around the world. Jackie religiously corresponded and kept in touch with their many friends, international sons and daughters, and family members.  

Jackie eventually grew weary of the road and missed her California home, family, friends and, most importantly, her art studio, where she created her paintings and greeting cards. Jackie and Walt settled in Ventura so she could be near those she loved the most. Jackie inspired, kept connected and touched so many people with her gracious spirit, creativity, generosity and love of life. 

Jackie leaves behind her loving family, which includes her husband Walt, son Steve Walker, daughter Susan Walker Bell, brother Nelson Harsh, grandson Scott Walker, granddaughter Christine Walker, grandson Walker S. Bell, and other nieces and nephews. Jackie will be laid to rest in a private celebration of her life.  

The family would like to thank the tireless nurses and caregivers from Livingston Memorial Hospice and Help Unlimited for their dedicated service. We appreciate the kindness, care and comfort given to Jackie.   

If you would like to remember Jackie, you may do so by contributing to a scholarship fund in her name at: The Santa Paula Society of the Arts, P.O. Box 788, Santa Paula, CA  93061.

 

Richard Alonzo

Richard Alonzo, age 63, went peacefully to be with our Lord on Monday December 7, 2009, surrounded by his loving family at his bedside, after losing a courageous battle with cancer. Richard was born January 28, 1946 in Santa Paula, California, the son of Carlos Alonzo and Francis Servin. He was a long time resident of 59 years, and spent his last five years living in Bakersfield, California. 

He worked in the oil fields for many years and taught so many of his hardworking skills to others. Many looked up to him not only as a great wise man, but as a father figure. 

He loved spending his free time with his grandkids and his foster daughter, Veronica. He enjoyed watching his favorite football team “Dallas Cowboys” win so that he could tease everyone on how bad their team played. 

His wife Mary Ann was not only the love of his life, but his best friend. His two children, who he nicknamed Flaca and Hoss, were his heart and soul, and he was very proud of them. 

He worked so hard all his life, not only to provide for his family, but to make sure they had everything they wanted. Many looked up to Richard, and if someone had a problem he was the first person that we would go to for advice. We will never forget how he enjoyed family parties, and how he was “The Dancing Bear”. He was known for his sense of humor and his great big smile. He may be gone now, but he will never be forgotten. 

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 39 precious years, Mary Ann Alonzo; son Richard Alonzo Jr.; daughter Diana Espinoza (Javier); grandchildren Kristin, Clarissa and Matthew Espinoza, and Destiny and Richard Alonzo III; sisters Alicia Segura and Connie De La Rosa; brother Michael (aka Raccoon) Ramirez; brother-in-law Frank Lascano (Angelina); and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren who loved him dearly. 

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated December 14 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Santa Paula, with father Charles Lueras, C.R.E.C. officiating. Interment followed at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the family owned and operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr. Funeral Services, Santa Paula. For further information, please call (805) 229-7054.

 

Rudolph Montez Morua

On December 11, 2009, with his friends and family at his side, Rudolph Montez Morua passed away after enduring his undaunted battle with pancreatic cancer.
Rudy, as he was known by his loved ones, was born in Ventura, CA on June 22, 1955. He was raised in Santa Paula, CA by his paternal grandparents, Victor and Alejandra Morua.

Throughout his childhood, two things were always evident in Rudy’s life: family and music. And both of these helped to mold him into the loving father, friend and family member that people knew and loved.  

There was one person, specifically, who had a very large impact in Rudy’s life as he grew up - his uncle, Arthur Morua. It was Arthur who taught Rudy how to play the guitar and, unknowingly, helped Rudy to discover the beautiful gift that the Lord placed in him. Throughout their interactions, Arthur became a strong father figure in Rudy’s life. And in 2003, as Arthur battled with cancer, it was Rudy who sat at his side and played his guitar, singing the same songs that were taught to him as a child by his “dad”.

Rudy eventually moved to Michigan, where he worked as a musician for a few years, before inevitably returning to Ventura County. Throughout his musical life, Rudy has been in numerous bands and has performed for many people at parties, weddings and funerals. Rudy was undoubtedly gifted as a musician and singer, and he blessed others continually with his music. He was an instrument of praise, and was not ashamed of using his gift to worship the Lord. It was this love of music that led Rudy to open “Strings N Things”, a music store in Santa Paula, CA, which Rudy co-owned and where he instructed many people in playing guitar and imparted his love of music.  

Over the years, in addition to being a musician, Rudy worked as a custodian for various agencies such as Santa Paula Elementary School District, Amgen and, most recently, Oxnard Police Department. During his time with Oxnard PD, Rudy continually shared his love for the “men and women in blue” by praying for them each day.

Although Rudy was given an “end-stage diagnosis” approximately 10 months ago, he continued to put up a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer, all without once undergoing chemotherapy. Rudy trusted God and continued to use the best weapon he had - he praised God. Even through his struggle, he never gave up hope or lost faith in the Lord.

Rudy is preceded in death by his mother, Della Montez Morua; his paternal grandparents, Victor and Alejandra Morua; his uncle, Arthur Morua; and many other family members. He is survived by his five children: daughter Isa Morua, daughter Starr Morua, son Aaron Morua, son Jonathan Morua, and daughter Lydia Morua; two grandsons, Dominic Eastridge and Kai Samuel Morua; his longtime sweetheart Elizabeth Dille; and various extended family throughout Santa Paula and Ventura County, CA.

Due to his lengthy battle with cancer and no health insurance, Rudy incurred significant medical expenses. In lieu of flowers, the family of Rudy Morua is requesting that donations be made to Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, located at 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, CA 93060.

On Thursday, December 17 a public viewing will be held at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary at the aforementioned address from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 18 at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary at 10 a.m., to be immediately followed by interment at Pierce Brothers Cemetery in Santa Paula, CA.





Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster