Alma Obdulia Ensign

Alma Araiza Ensign passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, May 6, 2017 in Camarillo, California, at the age of 91. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. Her family wishes to thank her excellent caregivers and volunteers with the Ventura County Hospice and Ocean Breeze Estates in Camarillo. She shared her love of life and laughter with all those that knew her.

Alma is preceded in death by her husband, Elgin Ensign, brothers, Oscar and Norman Araiza, aunt Amelia Araiza Guitilius and parents, Alphonso and Rebecca Araiza. She is also preceded in death by former husband, Joseph D. Farrar.

Alma is lovingly remembered by her daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and Jim Pickel, Camarillo, CA (formerly of Gilroy, CA); grandchildren and their spouses, Colin and Sarah Pickel, Lomita, CA and Courtney and Mike Norman, Davie, FL; great-grandsons, James Norman and Dylan Pickel; sisters, Irma Araiza Munguia, Ventura, CA and Norma Araiza Osits, Ft. Mohave, AZ; brother and sister-in-law, Hector and Virginia Araiza, Santa Paula, CA; nieces and nephews, Madeleine (Bernard) Carteron, Lomita, CA, Vivienne (Dennis) Littlejohn, Bakersfield, CA, and in Santa Paula, CA, Rick (Laura) Araiza, Ron (Georgia) Araiza, Randy (Sonya) Araiza, Karen Araiza (Troyce) Reynolds, Doug (Robin) Araiza and Becky Araiza (Dan) Shide; as well as much-loved great-nephews and great-nieces in Bakersfield and Santa Paula, CA.

Alma was born in Santa Paula, California, on September 20, 1925. She attended Santa Paula High School, went to business college, eventually earning her certificate in Accounting and attended Ventura College taking business courses throughout her career. Alma was employed soon after business school, as a Bookkeeper, Public Relations Specialist and eventually opened her own tax preparation and bookkeeping service. She was a member of the Soroptimist Club. During her career she worked as a bookkeeper and Public Relations specialist for the Kirkeby Center, Westwood, Los Angeles, CA; a bookkeeper for Power Tractor, Oxnard, CA; then as the Owner/Operator of Associated Income Tax Service in Oxnard and Santa Paula for over 25 years. She continued her accounting career, moving to northern California, at H&R Block in Morgan Hill and Gilroy, CA, as their Chief Financial Officer, until retiring after 20 years in 2014, at the age of 89.

Alma enjoyed reading, watching movies, playing Scrabble, attending civic light operas and the theatre and was an avid crossword enthusiast. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Alma spoke fluent Spanish. She loved to sing and adored Broadway show tunes, swinging to 40’s, 50’s and 60’s music, was fond of Cajun Zydeco and Country music and anything sung in French. Her passion was collecting recipes and going to restaurants and enjoying telling all the staff, wherever she went, how to improve their cuisine. She particularly loved a fine dining experience. Alma was an excellent chef, hostess and entertainer and held frequent parties and barbeques at her home for family and many friends. She loved her garden, her flowers, the Santa Paula Mountains and especially her great-grandsons.

A Funeral Mass will be held for the Celebration of Alma’s Life at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, corner of Las Posas Road and Crestview, 25 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, on Tuesday, May 30, at 10:00 a.m., with Reverend Father Juan Antonio Ruiz officiating. An outdoor patio luncheon will take place at Las Posas Country Club, 955 Fairway Drive, Camarillo, immediately following the service. At a later date, inurnment will be held for immediate family only.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org), Disabled American Veterans (dav.org), American Cancer Society (cancer.org), or to a charity of your choice. Condolences for the family may be offered online at [email protected].

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.