Category: 03 – Obituaries

Karen Van Cleave’s passing

Karen Van Cleave
Karen Van Cleave

With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the recent passing of Karen Van Cleave on February 19, 2020.   Karen was the Financial Aid Supervisor for many years at the District headquarters at 71 Day Road.

Harry Culotta remembers Karen:

“[Karen’s] position required close coordination, not only with the financial aid supervisors at each of the colleges, but also with the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies providing grants and loans to students.  She was also responsible for all federal operational and financial reporting in connection with those programs.

“I worked closely with Karen on the accounting and financial reporting aspect of her responsibilities.  She was a truly delightful lady to work with, showing great compassion for students and staff alike, especially staff members like Laura Campbell and Marian Carrasco (then a classified employee) who worked in her department.  After retiring from VCCCD, Karen and her husband Bob moved to Alabama, where they lived for the rest of their lives.  After Bob passed away, Karen worked for awhile at a state college near their home.  As a Facebook friend, Karen would occasionally send me a message asking what changes were taking place with employee benefits, and I would give her the pertinent information.
“Karen’s passing serves as another reminder of our mortality.  We miss her as a colleague, but enjoy the precious memories of her friendship.”
We have found no published obituary for Karen Van Cleave.

Ray DiGuilio’s Passing

Ray DiGuilio
Ray DiGuilio

It is with sadness that VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Ray DiGuilio on January 29, 2020.

Ray DiGuilio was a loving husband, father of 3, grandfather of 8 and friend to many, passed away from cancer at the age of 76. Ray was born and raised in Pleasanton California to Roland and Dina DiGuilio. He received degrees from UC Davis and Cal Berkley. He spent his adult life in service to others with a career as a teacher, coach and administrator (Vice President, Administrative Services) for the Ventura Community College District and American River College as well as a City Council member and Mayor for the City of Ventura. He was married to the love of his life, Jean Krohn for 55 years and raised three children, Michelle (Lou), Kathy (Scott), and Ryan (Laila). Memorial services will be held on Saturday March 14, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Community Presbyterian Church, 1555 Poli St, Ventura. Donations may be sent to the Ventura Community College Athletic Department, Ventura Botanical Gardens, or a non-profit organization of your choosing.
Published in the Ventura County Star on Mar. 7, 2020 and is available thru this link.

Nadine Colt’s Passing

Nadine Colt
Nadine Colt

With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the passing of Nadine Colt on November 13, 2019, in Sun Lakes, Banning, CA.  Nadine served the students of Moorpark College as the  Director of the Tutorial Center from which she retired in 1988.    She also earned an AA degree from Moorpark prior to her service in the Tutorial Center.

 

Please use this link to read Nadine’s complete obituary.

Katherine Mary “Kate” Dickson’s Passing

Kate Dickson-Lew
Kate Dickson-Lew

With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the recent passing on December 13, 2019 of Kate Dickson-Lew, retired English professor at Ventura College.  Before that, Kate taught at the California Youth Authority for Juvenile Justice. She loved Collies and usually had two or three dogs at a time. Below is a link to her obituary from the Ventura County Star. Her family has planned a private service and request donations to Collie.org or the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Kate is survived by her three sisters, Janet Notaro, Nancy (Jody) Kelly, and Diane Doban. Brother-in-laws John Lambert and Mike Doban. Nephews, Pat and Jonathon Notaro, niece, Amanda Miller and three great nieces and three great nephews.

To read Kate’s obituary as published in the Ventura County Star, please use this link.

Hitoshi “Harry” Kajihara’s Passing

Harry Kajihara
Harry Kajihara

VCCCDRA is sad to announce the passing of Harry Kajihara on December 3, 2019 at the age of 91.  Harry was a former mathematics instructor at Ventura College.  Below is the published obituary in Ventura County Star from Dec. 12 to Dec. 18, 2019.

A memorial service for Hitoshi Harry Kajihara, 91-year-old, Oyster Bay, Washington-born Nisei, who peacefully passed away on December 3, 2019 in Camarillo, CA will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020, 2 p.m., at the Oxnard Buddhist Temple, 250 South “H” Street, Oxnard, CA.

He is survived by his loving wife, Itsuko Kajihara, 3 daughters, Claudia Kajihara, Julia Miyamoto, and Alicia Mashiko. He is also survived by son-in-laws, Alan Miyamoto, Kenji Mashiko, 5 grandchildren, Kevin, Kimberly and Kari Miyamoto and Richard and Mitchell Mashiko along with other relatives.

Family requests no flowers.

 

Please use this link to read the published obituary.

Connie Baker, Celebration of Life

Connie Baker
Connie Baker

The following invitation was received from Ventura College:

“Please join us to celebrate the life of Connie Baker, former Technical Data Specialist for Ventura College, on January 31, 2020 from 2-4 pm in Guthrie Hall. Connie worked for the college and district from 1986 to 2016, and continued to assist when needed in retirement.

“Connie passed away unexpectedly on December 2, 2019 and is survived by daughter Beth Eubanks, son in law Jewels Eubanks, grandchildren Jackson and Bowie, siblings Steve Root, Terry Root, Pat Root, Christine Root, Jay Root, Craig Root, Cathy Twogood, and Damian Root.”

(See attached invitation.)

Passing of Two Retirees: Richard Black and Clint Ragan

It is with sadness that VCCCDRA has been informed by Janice Endo at VCCCD of the passing of two retirees.

Richard Black passed away on November 8, 2019 and was living in Bishop, CA.  Richard was an English professor at Moorpark College.

Clinton “Clint” Ragan passed away on October 28, 2019 and was living in Fort Collins, CO.  Clint was a fiscal services technician at Moorpark College.

We have been unsuccessful in locating obituaries for either Richard or Clint.  If any retiree has information on either of them, please email Carmen Guerrero at cguerr49@gmail.com.

Patricia “Patti” Dozen’s Passing

It is with sadness that VCCCDRA has learned of the recent passing on December 13th of Patti Dozen.  Patti retired as an English/ESL professor from Oxnard College after serving Moorpark College in the same capacity.  Patti graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from California State University, Long Beach.

We have not learned about services and will announce those as soon as we have further information.