Cleo Gwendolyn Nye

Gwen was born in San Diego to Sallie and Cleo Cordell of Kentucky. The family had moved to California to live near Gwen’s grandmother while Mr. Cordell completed his California Teacher certification, leading him to take a position as football coach and teacher at Paramount High School, and moving his family to Long Beach. There, Gwen presented herself as bright and precocious. Roaring through elementary and high school she was accepted at U.C. Berkeley where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Art. After taking post graduate courses in psychology she was hired by Saint George Homes, Inc., a residential treatment center in North Berkeley for schizophrenic and autistic youth. There, attaining the level of senior staff, she met and married a subordinate co-worker, Robert Ruric Nye, Jr., who uprooted her and whisked her away to Ruric’s home town, Ojai, California, where she remained for good.

Inside the home, she filled her house with art and light. Outside the home she graduated with a J.D. from the Ventura College of Law and worked many years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children. She also volunteered at the Ojai Presbyterian Church and fearlessly taught third grade Sunday School. Of course, she never let her passion for art languish.

Late middle age was not kind to Gwen as she struggled with numerous health “opportunities”. Even so, she still enjoyed occasional dinner parties as home with friends and family and pursued her other avocation as a voracious reader. She passed away on March 2, 2018 at the age of 70.

She’s survived by her husband, Ruric, her brother, Mike Cordell of Long Beach, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Gwen will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Gwen’s Memorial Service will be held on March 25, 2018, 2:00 pm, at the Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 North Foothill Road, Ojai, CA. Her ashes will be taken to sea by chartered boat at 5:30 pm the same day from Island Packers, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA.

In lieu of flowers please elect to make a donation to Help of Ojai, 111 West Santa Ana Street, Ojai, CA 93023.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.