Please do not grieve and shed wild tearsAnd hug your sorrow through the years.But start out bravely with a gallant smile;And for my sake and in my nameLive on and do all things the same,Feed not your loneliness on empty days,But fill each waking hour n useful ways,Reach out your had in comfortAnd in cheerAnd I in turn will comfort youAnd hold you near;And never, never be afraid to die,For I am waiting for you in the sky.Funeral Mass will be on Friday, April 13 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, with burial to follow at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, 525-3391.Gordon Bartlett WoodsGordon Bartlett Woods was born in 1916 in Jerome, Arizona to Henry Gordon and Helen Bartlett Woods.His wife of 65 years, Polly Cheever Woods; daughter Ann Woods Warren and son John Cheever Woods; and grandchildren Sarah Warren, Maile Woods and Rory Woods survive him. Gordon is also survived by sisters and brothers, Sis Wood, Helen McCauley, Tom Woods, and Burt Woods. An older sister Bea Long preceded him.Gordon received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry and master’s in Horticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He taught at Santa Paula High School from 1942-1975 with the exception of two sabbaticals. In 1960-1961 he took his family to New Zealand and taught at Palmerston North Boys High School for one year. In 1967-1969 he went to Thailand with a team from Cal Poly in contract to USOM/AID to develop college agricultural programs.Gordon was very committed to his profession and to his students. He was very active in the community. He received the California Ag Teachers Association Teacher of Excellence award, Santa Paula Citizen of the Year, and was inducted into the CATA Hall of Fame. During his career he had many second-generation students. Many of his FFA students were State and American Farmers and regional and state officers.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: College of Agriculture, Special Gifts Dept. Scholarship Program, Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407.
Obituaries
April 13, 2007
Obituaries
Hortencia “Tencha” Gomez
Our beloved mother Hortencia “Tencha” Gomez, age 77 of Santa Paula, passed away on Friday, April 6, 2007 in her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 14, 1930 in El Monte, and had been a Ventura County resident for 77 years.Our beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and wife loved to cook, sew and crochet, and was involved in the cooking crew for the Knights of Columbus Santa Paula for several years. Her favorite pastimes were Bingo, her trips to Laughlin, and shopping the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas.Family and friends were the two most important things in her life. She spent her life touching hearts of many who crossed her path. Mom always had an open door and heart for those in need.Her faith and love were the strengths that she displayed every day of her life. The loving way she cared for her family and friends was the example of God’s love at work, and the thoughtful things she did, a true giver in every sense of the word.Mom, you were our connection to life, the place we learned about love, the foundation that strengthened us, and the comfort we carry with us and the warmth we return to again and again. You devoted your life to being our mother, giving of yourself so unselfishly and wisely. We love you for always teaching us that life is still beautiful even when it isn’t easy. Your gentle way, wisdom, comfort, and unconditional love will be the many special traits we will hold onto and cherish.You gave with your whole heart, consoled and encouraged; it’s no wonder we will all hold onto the happy moments and special memories and the lifetime of love you gave each and every one of us. Your generous spirit, your wonderful sense of humor, and the strength that was the very heart of this family will be missed but never forgotten. We love you Mama!!The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Swartout and staff for their support, and for going above the call of duty; Aunt Dolly Muro for your love and support in caring for our mother; and Josie Gomez for tending to all the extras that were needed, without hesitation.Tencha was preceded in death by her parents, Adolfo and Adela Talamantez, and her two brothers, Joe and Ruben Talamantez. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ralph Gomez; sons, Ralph Gomez Jr. (Dolores), Albert Gomez (Kathy), Edward Gomez (Diana), and Chris Gomez (Christa); daughters, Betty Gomez and Melinda Gomez; stepson Gilbert Gomez (Penny); 10 grandsons, eight granddaughters, and eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Stella Sanchez and Elsie Solis; sister-in-law Rita Talamantez; numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.Funeral services were scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, April 13 at St. Sebastian Church, with burial at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., phone 525-3391.Virginia Guadalupe SanchezVirginia Guadalupe Sanchez, a resident of Oxnard, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2007 at St. John’s Regional Hospital in Oxnard. Mrs. Sanchez was born October 31, 1949 in Oxnard, and was a 58-year resident of Ventura County.Virginia worked as a customer service representative of Well Point in Newbury Park. She will be dearly missed by many family members and friends.Virginia was a sister, a mother, a grandmother and a friend. Her hobbies were cooking, baking, and meeting her friends at bingo. She enjoyed and cherished her life. Virginia was a very generous and kind person and will be missed by all.Mrs. Sanchez was preceded in death by her parents, her mother, Adelaida “Adela” Zamora Garcia Maldonado, and her father Ascencion Maldonado.Cherishing the memory of Virginia are her children, daughter Veronica Cortez and son Richard Maldonado; grandchildren, Lanessa and Sebastian Cortez, and Christian Maldonado; and her sisters, Rosalie Higgs and Linda Cobos.Funeral mass was held on Thursday, April 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, will burial following at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements were under the direction of Funeraria del ángel Stetler Mortuary, 128 S. 8th St., Santa Paula, 525-5595.Roman G. ChavezRoman G. Chavez, 19, lifelong resident of Santa Paula, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2007 in the comfort of his home with his family by his side, after a lengthy illness.Roman enjoyed playing video games, listening to rock music, watching the NBA Chicago Bulls and his favorite soccer team “Las Chivas,” and the latest movies. He also enjoyed wrestling and skateboarding.Roman leaves behind his parents, Arnoldo and Concepsion Chavez; sister Beatriz Chavez; brother Arnoldo Chavez; his maternal grandparents, Jose and Ruth Garcia; paternal grandparents, Pedro and Maria Guadalupe Chavez; aunts and uncles, Ruth (Leo) Hernandez, Mercy (Felix) Gomez, Angie (Javier) Perez, Jack (Rosalie) Garcia, Grace (Gabriel) Salazar, Connie (Jorge) Iglecias, Josie (Elias) Rico, Mary (Miguel) Campos, Pedro (Lorena) Chavez), Dionicio (Rebecca) Chavez, Agustin (Lucy) Chavez), Martha (Elias) Cornejo, and Raul (Valeria) Chavez; and numerous cousins and many friends.When I must leave you for a little while
