Obituaries

Mary Frances Peace Mary Frances Cahill was born to Timothy and Rose Cahill in the Borough of Queens, New York City on November 30, 1949. She was first generation Irish in this country, schooled in a family of educational ideals, and attended formative church school in her early years.Growing up in an old world Irish culture in the cultural mix of New York City, she was marked by her adaptive skills and industrious application to accomplishment of her goals. She went on to attend St. John’s University, graduating with master level training in counseling and business. She then worked in a Swiss banking concern and taught troubled teens.Meeting her future husband, Dale Peace, she moved to Michigan and then to California, where she attended Southwestern Law School and obtained a J.D. Doctorate upon graduation. Initially she worked in the Los Angeles County office of the District Attorney, and then at the office of the Ventura County District Attorney, where she continued for over 20 years.Working as a prosecutor and trial attorney, she brought to both high standards and energy, and thrived in the challenges of courtroom work, yet never forgot her counseling training. She rose to the level of Senior Supervising Attorney in the felony/misdemeanor unit and experienced rewarding work with the arson unit. She was both a marker for excellence and a wonderful person.Mary contracted multiple myeloma earlier in the year, fought hard, joined a support group, and underwent a stem cell transplant. She was in clinical remission and anticipating a return to work when she unexpectedly succumbed to a virulent pulmonary infection on December 18, 2007.A celebration of Mary’s Life was led by Reverend Carolyn Price on December 27 at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula. Mary will be long remembered for her life and deeds.Aleysia “Ali” BarreraAleysia “Ali” Barrera was born at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital on March 30, 1989. She went on to the Lord Jesus on December 20, 2007.Ali, as many people knew her, attended McKevett School, St. Sebastian School and Santa Paula High School, and then decided to attend a private school. Ali accomplished so much in such a short life. She graduated with high honors and merits, and was chosen her class salutatorian. Ali was a true rebel on that basketball court; no matter how little she was, she showed no fear on the court.Our Ali was the most unique gift that God ever gave us. Although very short, she was a true Angel. It never mattered if she had just met you or knew you forever, she would do anything for anyone, and she was a true giver. We know our Ali is now in heaven with loved ones, especially her grandpa, who she loved and missed so much. Ali was a beautiful daughter who did everything with her family. A beautiful sister to Marcus and Celine, the best granddaughter to Grandma Catalina, an awesome niece and cousin to many and a true soul mate to Manny.Ali’s dream was to attend Pepperdine and UCSB, but ultimately she decided to go to Ventura College and transfer to Channel Islands University so that she could remain close to everyone. We always knew Ali would remain close to home.Ali loved and cared for so many people, she was our little peacemaker. Her favorite saying was “Let it go, Mom” and through that saying and her great values and compassion for others we will continue to live. We will miss our little Angel. Though our hearts will be broken, through her memories and sayings our hearts will go on beating. Ali was a true believer in God and we know our daughter shines in heaven. Every decision was, “I’m going to ask God, Mom, let it go.”Ali leaves behind her parents, Manuel and Teresa Barrera of Santa Paula; brother Marcus; sister Celine “Celi”; grandmother Catalina Villa of Santa Paula; aunts, Pat Gonzales, Marisela Gonzalez and Martina Villa of Santa Paula, Rosaura Villa and Kami Wallet-Villa of Oxnard, Jenny Romo and Christina Garcia of Santa Barbara, Georgia Garcia-Shine, Lupe Garcia, Trine Garcia of Oxnard, Andrieanna Garcia and Yolanda Castaneda, very special people in her heart; uncles, Francisco Hernandez of Santa Paula, Fidel Villa of Somis, Emilio Villa Jr. of Oxnard, and George Barrera of Arizona; her cousins and many friends, Andrea, Stephanie, Christian, Roman, Karen, Dylan, Julian, Renee, Sophie, Alex, Miguel, Anthony, Bianca, Jacob, Frankie, Rikki, Jeremiah, Joseph, Hailey, Rachel, Serafina, Nicole, Markie, Shane, Michael, Adel, Richard, John Paul, Marissa, Gaby, Romelio, Stephanie, Chris, Jesse, Erica and Adrieanna.A special thank you to Debbie Garcia and Barbara Rush for being there for us, but most of all for Ali. Ojai Valley Hospital, thank you for your valiant efforts. Lena, thank you from the bottom of my heart; your words assured us our baby was at peace. We hope and pray that everyone has an Ali in their life. Ali, just one promise to you honey. I will learn to “Let it go” and no more fried foods. I will miss you so much, you know we were always together. I will now bake the forty-dollar cookies for Dad, and no more curfew from Marcus and Celi will take care of your room and Teddy Boy. I love you so much, Aleysia, but most of all I will miss your “I Love you, Mom.”Visitation will be Friday, December 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Skillin Carroll Mortuary, with rosary being recited December 28 at 12 p.m. Burial will 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.Evert W. “Doc” BaileyEvert W. “Doc” Bailey, 93, went home to be with God and his many loved ones on Friday, December 21, 2007.Evert was born in Halfway, Missouri, one of eight children. He worked on the family farm and in his father’s blacksmith shop, and roamed the woods hunting. Being the oldest, he was a role model for his five brothers and two sisters.Evert was saved in the little country church in Goodson, MO. The family moved to Santa Paula in 1934. Soon he met his wife to be, Willa Mae Robb, in church. They married June 4, 1938. To their union was added two sons, William (Bill) and Robert (Bob). Evert worked as a rancher in Piru, and later he and his wife moved to San Fernando, where he became head custodian in the school district.When his wife became seriously ill, their son Bill moved them to live with him in Modesto. Evert spent many hours in Bill’s home woodworking shop, turning out candleholders, birds, and small carts and horses. He shared his handiwork with family and friends, and donated many little horses to schoolchildren who treasure them still.Evert was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, son Robert, parents John and Alva Bailey, and three brothers, Edward, Glen and Doran.He is survived by son Bill, two granddaughters, Karen (husband Tom) Anaya and Lorinda (husband Guy), and grandson Duane. Also surviving are two great granddaughters, Denise and Christina, and three great grandsons, Jeffrey, Christopher and Jonathan, all of Missouri; two sisters, Vera Griffin of VO Bend, Oregon and Wanda Davenport of Port Hueneme; and two brothers, John and Wayne of Santa Paula.He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched.Visitation was scheduled for Thursday, December 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula Street. Graveside service will be on Friday, December 28 at 10 a.m. at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, 525-3391.Patricia Bailey