Sue-Ellen Fowler

Long-time Ventura resident Sue-Ellen Fowler passed away peacefully in her home on August 29, 2013, surrounded by all four of her children. She was born in Brawley, California, to Imperial Valley pioneers A. C. and Blanche Pickett, who homesteaded and farmed more than 500 acres of alfalfa and other crops in the Valley. Sue-Ellen had fond memories of growing up with her brother and sister in the family’s small country home sixteen miles NE of Brawley, and attending a small country school by the name of Mulberry School. She graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1940 at the age of 16.

Sue-Ellen had her first date with her future husband, Allen (“Fergie”) Fowler at a “wiener roast” at Weist Lake near Brawley in the summer of 1940. They married in September 1943 in Redlands, California. Two months later, at the age of 19, she graduated from the University of Redlands with a degree in political science. In 1945, Sue-Ellen received a teaching credential from the University of Redlands.

Fergie was in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and Sue-Ellen moved with him from base to base: Pecos, Texas; Kingman, Arizona; and Lincoln, Nebraska. In the years after the war, she taught in San Bernardino, while Fergie pursued his Masters degree in library science at USC. Their first son, Allen Fowler Jr., was born in San Bernardino. Albert (“Bert” or “A.J.”), Susan and Ralph were born in Ventura, where the family had moved in 1952 for Fergie’s new job as librarian at Cabrillo Junior High School.

Sue put her career on hold while raising her children. When the youngest, Ralph, was in second grade, she started substituting in the junior high schools of Ventura. In 1967, she went back to teaching English and social studies full time at Cabrillo Junior High, and then transitioned, by chance, to special education. She remained a special ed teacher until she retired in 1989, having received her Masters degree in Special Education in 1981. She taught a total of 29 years.

She was a very active member of College United Methodist Church since the early 1960s, teaching Sunday school and a Bible study class, and participating in UMW (United Methodist Women). Sue relished the time spent with her children and five granddaughters. She also loved reading, playing bridge, and following the Dodgers, motor racing and professional tennis. After her retirement, she did volunteer work at Project Understanding, and also in elementary school classes. She was an integral part of the Varsity Street neighborhood for 58 years.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband Fergie, and her sister and best friend Cynthia Gray. Cynthia and Sue both passed away on August 29, four years apart.

She is survived by her brother Joe Pickett (Evelyne) of Riggins, Idaho; her children Allen Fowler Jr. of Ventura; A. J. Fowler (Andrea), of Calhan, Colorado; Susan Umetsu (Vern) of Camarillo, California; and Ralph Fowler of Palm Springs, California; granddaughters Katie, Hannah and Kelly Fowler, and Siena and Elise Umetsu; and nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 14 at College United Methodist Church, 4300 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Interment will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.