Ellen Rita Fowler

Our community sadly lost an important member on July 13, 2022. Ellen Rita Fowler (otherwise known as Pudge) was the heart and soul of her neighborhood in Oxnard, California. She passed peacefully at the age of 96 years old while surrounded by family and loved ones. She gave her life to raising her family and caring for generations of children within the community in her 46 years of childcare services and foster care.

Ellen Rita Whiteman was born on October 18, 1925, in Albuquerque, New Mexico on a family farm near the Rio Grande River. She grew up with her mother, Josephine Whiteman her father Alva “Hugh” Whiteman and 11 siblings who she loved deeply. In 1943, she married Gerald Earl Doan. Together, they lived in Southern California and happily raised their four children Betty Doan, Earl Doan, Daniel Doan, and Geraldine Doan. In 1965, Ellen remarried and became Mrs. Robert G. Fowler. Together they lived in Oxnard, CA, where they raised their two boys, Bobby and Ronnie Fowler. As Pudge's family grew over the years, she loved and spoiled 17+ grandchildren, along with multiple great and great-great-grandchildren. Here on Sanford Street, they built more than just a home - they built a legacy and a community. In addition to caring for hundreds of children at Fowler Daycare, Pudge opened her heart and home to many special neighbors and foster children who remain a loving part of our family today, including Jessica Nichols who she lovingly adopted. She was loved by so many people and was an amazing asset to human kind. She will leave a big gap in our community and will be sorely missed.

To honor Pudge’s memory, we are holding a celebration of her life on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 1:00pm at the Eagles Lodge on 4684 Saviers Rd Oxnard, CA 93033. We invite anyone who knew her to attend and remember her wonderful life.