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University of California Los Angeles

Ula Pendleton Obituary

April 8, 1928 - November 12, 2015 Ula Pendleton, a long time resident of Mar Vista died peacfully in her home November 12, 2015 at age 87. Ula was born at Wallowa Oregon April 8, 1928. Ula graduated from UCLA in 1966 and became a teacher at Westchester High School. For 40 years she touched the lives of thousands of students. She was also a tireless friend to animals great and small. Ula will be missed by many. She is survived by 2 sons, 4 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and her sister. There will be a memorial service at Venice Lutheran Church on Saturday December 5, 2015.

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Published by Los Angeles Times from Nov. 17 to Nov. 29, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Ula Pendleton

Sponsored by Sally A. .

18 Entries

John Kovac

July 27, 2019

The doctor is always the last to know. I was the Family Physician for Ula Pendleton for many years. I have a whole stack of cards that she made for me over the years, and I would like the family members to have them. Rest in Peace, Ula. Always a good friend. Family may contact me at [email protected]
John D. Kovac MD

Debbie Sander

July 26, 2016

I am just realizing the passing of my dear teacher and long time friend Ula...I had her every year in high school... that good old US History and Government class.. She really made us aware for the first time in our young lives the importance of Voting... she said your vote counts.. and at this time when elections are close I am involved thank you Ula.. I saw her a few years ago and when we had our class reunion we went to her home to see her.. I love you Ula thank you for making me aware I even had a voice.. I will forever be grateful for your love and huge heart... I will always keep learning in your name..
Love you
Debbie

Elaine Joselovitz

April 12, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of Ula's death. It is only by chance that I learned of her passing, as I searched her name on line in the hopes of sending her a terribly belated thank you message.

I only knew her briefly while a history student at UCLA. On June 9, 1965, Ula gave me a very sturdy hardcover notebook. I was to leave within days to go to Georgia with a group of UCLA students and volunteer with Martin Luther King's SCLC/SCOPE organization to register voters in the South. Ula wrote a wonderful piece about the importance of personal observation for history. I did keep a day-to-day diary that summer. Fifty years later, in preparation for a 50 year reunion of SCOPE I found the notebook in my attic. I shared it with the reunion organizers who told me it was very useful, as not many records had been kept. I am thrilled to say that the diary will be kept in the Library of Congress with other memorabilia from that summer. I am so sorry that I am not able to let Ula know about this.

Francesca Canzano

March 31, 2016

Very sad to learn of Ula's passing..I am WHS Class of '75 and I was in two of her classes: Changing Roles of American Women, and Problems in American Cities...We had kept journals in class and she declared me "A born writer", which really spoke to my heart! Though the only things I've written are my Christmas newsletters, Ula was always enthusiastic and appreciative of those, along with many personal letters I wrote to her in my youth. She and I cooresponded during the 40 years since my graduation, and had missed hearing from her over the holidays.By far my favorite teacher! Francesca (Lopez)C. Canzano

January 3, 2016

I loved Ula! She was an awesome teacher and friend and was no BS. When I came back to one of her classes to speak after high school graduation, she pointed out that I had a bad habit of pointing with my middle finger :)

Ula taught women's studies in the 70's for goodness sakes, unheard of in high school and inspired me to go on to college. We stayed in touch for many years and then lost touch after our 20 year reunion. I was just thinking about her for some reason when I googled her and found out she had passed away. God bless you, Ula and I know you're up there somewhere giving someone the "what for" and a large piece of your mind. Thank you for inspiring me. Lisa Daggett-Cummings

Laurel Romm (Weisman) class of 74

December 25, 2015

In the 2 classes I took from Ms Pendleton, she turned me on to 2 completely different subjects. My lifelong love of JRR Tolkien came directly from her, as did my consciousness of modern urban problems and issues. I now teach high school chemistry, and every time I teach the unit on water contamination, I think of her fondly. (Not to mention every time my daughter convinces me to re-watch any of the Peter Jackson LOTR/Hobbit movies!) Thank you, Ms. P!

Hope N

November 30, 2015

Student government in the 70's with Ms. Pendleton is a fond memory. She encouraged us to take on issues and learn from each other. We were grappling with integration, but had a generally positive experience thanks to a diverse student body and great teachers like her.

November 30, 2015

I will forever be thankful that Ula Pendleton was in my life. She taught me what it meant to be a female leader, held me strong when I needed it and let me fly when it was time. She was so much more than a teacher...caring deeply and always there for her students. When I was Student Body President at Westchester High School, she would often take me to Toastmasters so that I could grow in my ability to speak extemporaneously and thoughtfully. She shared her words of wisdom over lunch "meetings" at Bob's Big Boy and later in letters she wrote to me. She is one of the reasons, in addition to my mother, that I became and educator. I realized that to teach is really to touch lives in an everlasting way. I would not be the person I am today without having had Ula in my life. The world has lost a bright light but her light lives on in each of us who were touched by her.

Sally A.

November 22, 2015

Sigh. We come and we go in this life, we humans, and while we're here, hopefully we help each other. Ula was someone who helped us, each of us, as high school students, in different ways, to become who we were going to be. Her class I don't remember much about it, but I still have the journals. It was amazing to have someone let us just sit and write whatever we wanted without judgement,and without comment other than encouragement. She was great. I'm sad she is gone but awfully glad she was here. 40 years of teaching students, is a way to leave something behind. Her lessons as a legacy carry forward as we inspire and teach what we learned to others. RIP Ms. Pendleton.

Jeri Banks (formerly Gross)

November 21, 2015

Government and Creative Writing----these were the classes where I had the privilege of being her student. I have so many stories I could relate about her. I still have the journal we were required to keep in creative writing. I first registered to vote in her government class as a senior. She had a dog named "Dog," she called her son, "Son" and her husband was named "Husband." She said it was easier that way. I remember how exciting it was when we went to her home in Mar Vista for a party and got to meet these wonderful constants in her life. She attended my wedding in 1987 and I still have the gift she gave me---a set of 7 orange handled Fiskers scissors in different shapes and sizes---and I use one of them almost daily. I was just telling someone about her and those darn scissors and how they were my favorite gift this past Wednesday at work. She is a lady I will never forget. She is one of the reasons I became a teacher---life at home was not heaven and her classroom was a sanctuary for me. I could be me, take a deep breath, laugh, learn, and leave the cares of the rest of my life behind. Thank you Mrs. P. You helped shape me into the person I am today. Sorry for being so long winded, but she was a life changer for me.
Class of 1982

Harry Hirschman

November 21, 2015

I was a student of hers around 1980. Great teacher.

Ann Allard-Robinett

November 21, 2015

Mrs. Pendleton will stand out in my memory as one of my favorite teachers. Her smile and genuine kindness was always with her. She was honest, direct and very reassuring with her words. I remember her telling me how important it was to journal my thoughts and stories. Over the many years I've stopped and restarted journaling and whenever I restart I think of Mrs. Pendleton and smiile. My sincere condolences to her family.

Debbie Calvo

November 21, 2015

Mrs. Pendleton was an amazing teacher at Westchester High School who ignited my interest in politics and government. One of the greatest teachers and I was lucky to be mentored by her. (Class of 1975).

Karmella Sellers

November 21, 2015

Mrs. Pendleton inspired me every day that I was graced to sit in her class. She was one of my best and most favorite teachers. I still think of her often as I navigate my career as a teacher. Peace and comfort to her family.

November 19, 2015

Ula was one of the all time great teachers at Westchester High School. Always enthusiastic and caring for the students - loved her. Elaine Bodenburg

Bill Hines

November 18, 2015

i am so sad. Ula is proof that there ARE second acts in American life What a good person. I was so fortunate to have been with here for so long. From a Greek immigrant family whose father did not think higher education was for women, You showed him and many others how nonsensical that idea was.Thanks, Mama U!

...

Teresa Riddle

November 18, 2015

Ula and I taught social studies at Westchester HS for many years. She was brilliant.
My condolences to her family.

R.J. Deakins

November 18, 2015

Ula Pendleton, my all time favorite teacher at Westchester High School, 1968-1970, I'll never forget your encouragement.
R.J. Deakins

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