Helen A. Ormsby's Obituary
Helen Adriane Ormsby, daughter of Robert Harding and Luella Eliza Crawford Ferguson was born April 4, 1923 in Berkeley, CA. Helen was the youngest of ten and resided in Berkeley most of her youth. Her parents owned a diner during the depression years where Helen, along with her siblings had worked to help keep the business afloat. At age 19, she had met her husband to be, Walker M Ormsby, after a fateful fall on ice at the Berkeley Ice Rink. It was love at first sight, and they were soon to be married April 18, 1943. Within a year Walker was serving in Europe during WWII, and Helen wanted to serve by enlisting in the Coast Guard Reserve up until her first son, Howard was born. After Walker returned home from the war, the family lived in Alameda, until Richard and Cheryl were born. They then moved to Oakland and bought their first home. The Bay Area was starting to grow and new communities were cropping up, so they picked up stakes,and moved to San Lorenzo. Helen then was working for the Hayward School district where she stayed until retirement. Within those years, she was very active outside of the workplace. Between her and Walker, they were always surrounded by friends, camping, water skiing or having family gatherings. As both Walker and Helen’s retirement years were approaching, they found a haven in Anacortes, Washington, where they lived for 12 years until such time health issues with Walker forced them to seek residence elsewhere. It was then they found Murphys, fell in love with the community, and moved into Murphys Diggens, a 55+ park. Walker passed away January of 2002 and after several years of living alone, partnered up with Charles Discoe of Murphys. They were together for many years after until Charles’ passing in 2012. Helen still remained active, playing pinochle two days a week at the Senior Center, and bingo every Wednesday at the Murphys Diggens Community Center. She attended Murphys First Congregational Church where she was always actively involved, and still drove at 92! She was independent, outspoken, and loved her family. Her last farewell was at the Super Bowl 50 party held at the Murphys Diggens’ Community Center where she spent many hours socializing and sharing with other residents until the Lord took her later that afternoon. Helen is survived by her children Howard and Richard Ormsby, Cheryl Malson, Howard’s wife Kathie, their two daughters, Nicole and Coleen, husbands, Steve Kidwell and Daryl Ramsey, their children, Emma and husband Anthony Hotka, Sydney and husband James Marcus Murphy, and Matilda Kidwell, Justin, Danica Ramsey, Bella, Joey and Josh Ramsey, Kaiden Murphy, Taylor McCarrie, and Preston Hollis. Richard’s two sons and daughter, Bryan, Mark and wife Robyn, Christie and husband Mark Oldroyd, their children Michael, Mitchell and Jarod, Morgan and Dylan. We all love you and will miss you, but will meet up with you again. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? I Corinthians 15:55
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