Mary Helen Armstrong, age 92, of Ojai, Calif., died December 8, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Health & Retirement Center. Born on July 26, 1920, in Gloversville, New York, the daughter of Lloyd and Margaret Gifford and graduated from Gloversville High School, class of 1939. She married Carl R. Armstrong on December 30, 1945.
Carl and Mary moved to California in 1956, raising four children – three boys and one girl. In 1973, Carl and Mary retired to Ojai, Calif., living 39 years at Ojai Valley Estates. Mary attended St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Carl died in 1992.
As an awesome mother friend to all who knew her – from going to to Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, booster clubs, charity events, church on Sundays, fishing on Fridays, baseball, softball, football and basketball – she never missed a game. She always had a kind word of encouragement, win or lose.
Mary loved Ojai so much, she took great pride in Ojai Valley Estates. Carl and Mary’s coach was the one of only three at the time they moved in. While traveling the country with trips to see their children, grandchildren, friends in Gloversville and always a little golf – Mary would take a picture of a scene she would like to paint or cutout of a magazine, and of course save it for later. She began taking classes in Ojai and started a weekly art class at Ojai Valley Estates, which was very well attended. Mary became a very accomplished artist, both with oils and watercolors. Her paintings hang in many places in Ojai.
Mary is best remembered as a person who never said an ill word of anyone, except maybe an annoying Blue Jay at her house. She was committed to her faith; she would pray every day for her family, friends and world peace. She will be forever remembered by all who knew her.
Mary is survived by: her four children, John (Sandy) Armstrong of Apple Valley, Calif.; Richard (Evie) Armstrong of Bradenton, Fla.; Carol (Dennis) Thurman of Jacksonville, N.C.; and Gary (Teri) Armstrong of Wrightwood, Calif.; and nine grandchildren.
Services for Mary will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 185 St. Thmas Drive, Ojai, Calif. on January 22, at 11 a.m, with lunch following the service.
