Helen Ann Gray passed away January 3, 2007. She was born January 7, 1933 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Clarence and Agnes (Phillips) Beck. Leaving high school because she “didn’t like PE,” she finished her education at a local business school.Helen married Gerald E. (Gerry) Gray on October 27, 1951 in New Jersey, and they began married life in Philadelphia, where her first three children, Lynne Ann (VanderMolen), Dawn Marie and Gerald Edward were born. The family then moved to southern Wisconsin in 1960, where two more sons, Paul John and Bruce Allen, were born.After her divorce in 1975, Helen attended a technical college and then began a new career at the American Geographical Society’s Golda Meir Library at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where she worked for nearly 20 years.Upon retirement, Helen moved to Santa Paula, CA, and settled into Rancho Santa Paula, where she took on the position of newsletter editor. She became active in the Santa Paula Historical Society, and joined the Universalist Unitarian Church and the Mary A. Livermore Society, a social and philanthropic women’s organization, where she eventually served as president for four years.Helen will be greatly missed by her five children, three grandchildren, Matt, Donny and Alex, and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula on February 17 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation.
Obituaries
February 16, 2007
Obituaries
Julia R.
(India) PooleJulia R. (India) Poole, 60, a life long resident of Santa Paula, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2007. She was born on July 31, 1946.Mrs. Poole was a caring and loving mother who enjoyed family events and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Julia was very dedicated to her Native American culture; any chance she would have to take a ride to admire nature she would take, even if it involved walking.Julia will be very missed by all who knew her. We love you.Julia is now reunited with her stepfather Herminio Menchaca and sister Josie Rios. She leaves behind her son Dennis (wife Laura) Taylor; daughters Celia Shaw and Julita Borrego; her mother, Sally Menchaca; brother Orlando Menchaca; her nine grandchildren, Jessie (wife Crystal) Perez, Elena (husband Mauricio) Borrego, Paula Borrego, Joey Perez, Janelle Perez, Cristina Borrego, Jasmine Perez, Jerry Aguilar, and Angel Borrego; and her five great-grandchildren, Sierra Perez, Isaiah Borrego, Sarah Lopez, Junior Reyes, and Jessie Perez Jr. She also left behind childhood friend Bobby Mendoza.Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, with burial to follow at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery. Services will be under the direction of Funeraria del ángel Stetler Mortuary.Helen Ann Gray
