Alaina Marie Stockdill

Alaina Marie Stockdill, our little girl – spirited, fun-loving, smart, witty, creative, generous, and loving – has died. She was eight years old.

Alaina was born May 22, 2002 in Ventura, and was in the third grade at Elmhurst Elementary School. She was best friends with Angel D., and “clear” was her favorite color. She passed away September 20, 2010.

Alaina loved to write and was the author of the book, “The Marvelous Alaina,” which she gave as a gift to her grandfather, Michael J. Stockdill. In the book, Alaina noted that she could always be found doing yoga with her grandfather, and that the best thing about her was that, “she loves her family.”

While Alaina delighted in writing, she didn’t much care for math. Even so, she had great enthusiasm for school and wanted to become a teacher so she could help kids – mainly, in her words, to do, “more writing and less math.” Alaina was also a photographer and videographer. Her uncles, great-aunts and great-uncles, and her grandpa and great-grandparents were among her favorite subjects. Alaina was at home in front of the camera, too; she loved being in the spotlight.

Alaina was a big fan of receiving presents and was also generous in her giving. Every time she would see her grandpa she would say, “Grandpa, I have a gift for you.” Some of her favorite gifts to give and receive were shiny jewels and sparkly trinkets. She would often give away her most cherished treasures and then, invariably, ask to borrow them back for, “just a little while,” to soak up their fun and beauty, before surrendering them once again.

Perhaps the greatest gift Alaina brought to us all was her exuberant love of life. As her grandpa, Michael, says, her way of living exclaimed, “Live! Right now! Live! Live! Live!” With this powerful enthusiasm she could transform a lazy Sunday into a flurry of fun by making up a game that engaged everyone. She wouldn’t need to insist that everybody participate, but just go about involving them by assigning each person a role to play.

Alaina was and is deeply loved by her family and we miss her in ways that are beyond description. She was also loved by her teachers, neighbors, and friends. We, her family, are all profoundly grateful for the outpouring of kindness and support from all of you – our friends, extended family members, and members of the community we haven’t even met yet. Your heartfelt words of comfort, generous donations of time and professional services, and financial contributions in memory of Alaina are all received with the deepest gratitude.

Alaina is survived by her mother, Blair Marie Stockdill; father, Kirk Matthew Ortega; grandfather, Michael J. Stockdill; grandmother, Kimberly Stockdill (Pekarek); uncles, Michael Stockdill Jr. and Matthew Stockdill, all of Ventura; great-grandparents, John L. and Ann L. Stockdill, of Santa Paula, and Pat DeSpain, of Wylie, Tex.; great-aunts, Bonnie (Marvin “Mogie”) Maruquin and Jenny Benjamin, of Ventura, Liz Stockdill, of Santa Barbara, Maria L. (Steve) Lopez, of Ventura, and Kristen Gilbert, of Wylie; great-uncles, John E. Stockdill, Stephen G. Stockdill, Chris (Teri) Stockdill, of Ventura, David Stockdill, of Santa Paula, Bill Pekarek, of Ventura, and Greg, Jerry, and Scott Pekarek, of Wylie; first cousins, once removed, Ben (Erin) Maruquin, Monica Gutierrez, Joel, Rachel, and Joshua Benjamin, Sean and Corey Lopez, and Paul and Claire Stockdill, all of Ventura; and second cousins, Dylan and Jack Gutierrez, and Campbell Maruquin, all of Ventura.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandfather, Gerald Pekarek.

A rosary for Alaina will take place 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at Sacred Heart Church, 10800 Henderson Rd., Ventura. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m., Saturday, October 9, also at Sacred Heart. Burial will follow.

A memorial fund for Alaina has been set up by Elmhurst School; contributions may be made in her name at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.TedMayrFuneralHome.com.