Irma Grace Gordon

Celina Mason in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her elementary education at St. Catherine’s School and

graduated High School from Xavier University Preparatory Girls’ High School. From there she pursued her

Nursing degree in St. Louis, Missouri, where she studied at St Mary’s Infirmary School of Nursing and then at

Homer G. Phillips Hospital, one of the few nationally-recognized, fully-equipped hospitals in the country

where black doctors, nurses, and technicians could receive training.

While in St. Louis she met and fell in love with Ralph Gordon. They married April 5, 1952 and

moved to California where her sister, Myrtle, lived. Myrtle and Irma were good company for each other as

Ralph completed his tour with the US Navy during the Korean War. From their union came six children.

Irma and Ralph were devoted to each other for 46 years until Ralph’s passing in November of 1998.

Irma began her nursing career in the hospital, first as a surgical nurse, then in medical and geriatric

nursing. Her skills were highly respected and her bedside manner and level of care took her a notch above the

normal nurse. She also worked in various medical offices where she met Charlotte Forde Hall. Theirs was a

special relationship that has continued over the years. Charlotte became a surrogate daughter to Irma and Big

Sister to the entire Gordon clan.

Irma lived for her family. The family could always been seen at Sunday Mass, the girls in freshlyironed

ruffles and the boys in starched shirts. Irma was always present at St. Cecilia’s “Hot Dog Day” with

the current youngest child in tow. She raised her children with a strong hand and Catholic values, working

tirelessly to make sure they were well-rounded. Irma coordinated Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings with

Ballet, Tap and Piano lessons. .She never missed a recital or other extra-curricular event. Family events,

picnics, barbecues, weddings and graduations were the highlights of her life. She reveled in the successes of her

children, and took great pleasure in her grand and great-grand children.

Irma loved dancing with Ralph, and the many trips with the Weekend Travel and Les Kohinoors

Clubs, where she was notorious for raiding Ralph’s stash to support her fun at the slot machines. But most of

all, she loved her Lakers and was convinced that they could hear her through the television as she urged them

on and demanded that the other teams “miss it!”

Later in her life, Irma moved into the Villas in San Bernardino and then into the Heritage Gardens

Retirement facility where she said that she felt she had “come home”. The staff embraced her and treated her

as though she was their Mom. You could always see her showing off her curls “a la Lisa” or hear Jackie singing

“You are my Sunshine” in her ear. It was there in this loving environment that Irma heard God’s call and

went to her Heavenly home on March 29, 2010.

Irma leaves to celebrate her life her six children - Ralph Michael (Ruby) Gordon of Long Beach, CA.,

Malinda Marie Gordon of Los Angeles, CA, Philip Anthony (Cynthia) Gordon of Riverside, CA, Celina Teresa

Oliver of Laguna Niguel, CA, Katherine Ann (Bryan) Domingue of San Bernardino, CA, and Regina Agnes

(Leon) Tullous of Canoga Park, CA. ; three of her six siblings - Robert (Gwendolyn) Mason of Ft.

Washington, MD, Alida (Donald “Dockey”) of New Orleans, LA, and Ronald (Gladys) Mason of New

Orleans; Grandchildren – Kavin Gordon, Sean Brown, Amber (Desmond) Jones, Geanene Gordon, Joseph

Domingue, Jennifer (Victor) Cristea, Michael Gordon, Ashley Bain, Lauren Gordon, Aaron (Lisa) Oliver, Jr.,

Samantha Domingue, Monique Gordon and Brittnay Tullous; Great-Grandchildren – Ryan Ashlynn, Gavin

and Jayden, along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. In addition, there were

the many surrogate children, nieces and nephews as well as her many friends who looked to her for guidance

and great food. Irma left a lasting mark in all whose life she touched.