On November 15, I drove down to Ventura to attend my Aunt
Marlene Stone’s funeral. She was a wonderful woman and had a long
life. It was just about a year after my Uncle Ira passed
away. They were divorced a long time ago, but I wonder if some
of their close connection remained. When I was younger, they
seemed inseparable, and I never asked why they divorced.
Along the way, it rained off and on. Nothing
terribly strong. I also had a task to complete.
My first stop was in Fresno. The Fresno
Sheriff’s Office is building a new substation at Armstrong/Turner—and has been
for some time. It is still under construction and looks
wonderful. At some point decades ago, I was given two maps covering
Fresno County. They were large format, about three feet by four
feet, dated 1954 (the year I was born). One map covered the
Fresno metropolitan area, west to the western county line. The other
map covered the same Fresno metropolitan area and went to the eastern county
line. They were rolled up and stashed away in the basement of our
former home in Old Fig Garden.
Years later, when getting to decorate my office when I was
working for Telecommunications, Inc. (TCI), I thought I’d frame
them. When I retrieved them, unfortunately rodent(s) had got to
them. The western map was destroyed to the point it had to be
trashed. The eastern one was still good, so I had it
framed. Although I worked on the west side, most of my career I
worked in Metro or Area 2, everything east of the Friant-Kern
Canal. It really turned out nice with a simple black
frame. After moving to Yosemite National Park, it hung in the
hallway of my home there for almost twenty years.
After finding my way in through the yet to be secured rear
parking and unlocked door, I met a welcoming Detective Sergeant (I wish I could
remember his name), to hand off the map. He assured me he’d find an
appropriate place for it, even if that’s his office. He shared that
the substation is far from finished. Detectives have been working
out of it for a while, and Patrol had just started two days before, on
Monday. He also shared they were three years into what was
originally planned to be a one year build.
Back on the road, I made a quick decision to take “the
coast route” along SR-41 and 46 to get to Paso Robles. I had a
strong desire to see and be near the ocean as quickly as
possible. Relief came as I crested the US-101 grade into Pismo
Beach. Greeted by the view and the ocean smell was
refreshing.
I made it to Ventura in good time, with only a fuel stop in
Buellton and highway construction delays in Santa Barbara. I checked
in at the Pierpont Inn. In the past, I’ve had meals there and
attended functions, including hosting my parent’s surprise 40th wedding
anniversary party, yet I’ve never stayed there. Room 421 was old,
yet modernized, clean, and well appointed. In the morning, I noticed
it had a decent view of the ocean. There was little highway
noise. I’d definitely stay there again.
Off to dinner at Fosters Freeze on Telegraph for the self-mandated traditional corn burritos. I was confident they probably closed at 8 or 9 pm on a weeknight. I pulled in at 5:50 pm happy to see “my” traditional parking spot free, only to be told they were closing early tonight because the rain had slowed business—and were only currently serving ice cream. I jokingly shared my sadness that I had just blasted into town for my primary desire, corn burritos. She was amazing and said they had turned the grill off, but the fryer was still hot. She double checked with the cooks, and an order placed. The last one of the day! If you don’t know corn burritos, you don’t have roots in Ventura. They are almost exclusively made in the local Ventura area, and outsiders confuse them with taquitos. They are not that! Sorry, no picture. Maybe when we go back in March.
It was eerie seeing the parking lot vacant. At least my first goal in town was completed.
The service was Thursday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Saticoy. It’s been a long-long time since I’ve been to a Catholic Church during a Mass. I’ve got nothing against the Catholic religion, but their rituals are confusing. Fortunately, one of the attendants discretely gave hand signals when to stand and sit.
Here’s the obituary my cousin Frank created for posting:
Marlene Mae Stone, was born in 1934 and lived a strong, full and rich life. She was raised in the Ojai Valley and later completed the rest of her life in Ventura. She married just after high school at Nordhoff High School, Ojai.
She leaves three beloved sons Frank, William, and Paul, 8 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.
The most cherished thing in her life was her family. She loved her family and her family loved her.
In life, she had a tremendous loved for her dogs, a great love of traveling, her loved dear friends, loved a good story, and a nice glass of wine.
She loved God and was looking forward to being with him in Heaven.
I'm glad to have been her son and caretaker for the last two years. Before she made the journey to heaven. We all love you so much Mom! We are so happy you are now in the presence of Jesus.
Interment immediately followed at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura. I snapped this photo just after the graveside service had concluded and many of the guests had stepped back from the immediate family.
A nice video tribute
There was some time to kill between the cemetery and the reception held at Marlene’s mobile home off Aurora. This allowed me to get some errands completed, chiefly, visit my nearby parent's graves.
Second, visit Green Thumb Nursery. For several months I’ve searched home improvement stores and nurseries near home looking 1”x1” wood garden stakes. None have had them. Green Thumb rarely disappoints and didn’t today. They had a great selection of assorted lengths. Finally, success for such a minor yet irritating search.
We had a great reception. Sadly, not being a close of family as we are, once again, an opportunity passed (probably the last) for me to get photos with the family. While the family has great cooks, they opted to have it catered by Wood Ranch BBQ. The food was delicious. As a tip of the hat to Marlene and her favorite drink, martinis, they were both served and the gift basket had a small bottle of martini mix, dehydrated olives, and packets of flower seeds to plant in her honor.
The trip home was quick, and uneventful. Although as I passed through Bakersfield, I wondered how the repairs to our travel trailer are going there.
