Eleanor Ramey

1928 - 2010

ELEANOR (GALLARDO) RAMEY, age 82 of Ventura, California passed peacefully on Friday, November 5, 2010 in Santa Barbara, California.

Eleanor was born April 11, 1928 to Jose Piedad Gallardo and Maria Jesus Gallardo in the family's newly constructed home in La Conchita. She spoke of her parents with admiration and great love her entire life. She loved living in La Conchita and purchased property next door to her parents' home where she would later raise her own family. She enjoyed sharing stories of her childhood in La Conchita and contributed history and many old photos to a book recently published about the La Conchita community.

Eleanor attended the one-room Punta Gorda Elementary School, located just north of La Conchita, through 8th grade. She then attended Junior and Senior High school in Ventura and graduated from Ventura College.

Eleanor married Ross W. Ramey, Jr. on January 1, 1953 at the San Buenaventura Mission and moved San Diego, California. Ross' passing in 1955 did not stop her lifelong love for him. She displayed and carried his photos and talked about him regularly until her death.

After Ross' death, Eleanor and her two babies, Ron and Lynn moved home to La Conchita with her parents. Her parents lovingly assisted her in raising the children while she worked for the County of Ventura. Eleanor subsequently remarried and divorced. She was however blessed with three more children, Joey, Jonell and Cora. Eleanor followed her children's activities closely, supporting each at band competitions, parades and watching her daughters cheer at sports events.

Eleanor retired from Ventura Community College District. Eleanor enjoyed gardening, crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed sports and attended countless VC football and basketball games with her dear friend Ellie Austin.

Eleanor's family was her life. She is survived by her five children: Ronald Ramey (Cynthia), Lynn Hotchkiss (Robert-deceased), Joseph Henderson, Jr., Jonell Marie, and Cora Garibay (Frank). There was always an abundance of love and pride for each. Her eyes would light up just hearing her grandchildrens' names, however. Jill, Christopher, Melissa, Kristen, Kimberly, Trevor and Kali each have many happy memories of time spent with "Grams"; her unconditional love, warm smile and open arms, Sunday breakfasts with hot, fresh, homemade tortillas and hot chocolate, annual holiday trips to Disneyland with the entire family in turquoise sweatshirts, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe to name only a few. Eleanor followed her granddaughters (Melissa Kristen & Kimberly) performing flamenco dancing throughout the county and was extremely proud to watch Melissa win Junior Spirit of Fiesta at age nine and Senior Spirit at only 16. Great-grandchildren, Ramey, Kessiah, Christian and Sean were just beginning to enjoy the incredible love that she so happily shared.

Eleanor's quick smile and outgoing nature enabled her to make many friends through her lifetime. There are so many who warrant mention and thanks. Most recently: Will Levinson, who treated her with such love and respect and was there at a moment's notice to help her, Ellie Austin, who was a loyal, caring friend; always ready to accompany Eleanor to Bocalli's for shortcake, Wood Ranch for ribs or Casa de Soria.

There will be a Rosary at Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at 6 p.m. Services will be held at San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E. Main St., Ventura on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 at 10 a.m. with burial immediately following at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park. For more information, call (805) 302-2760.