Marylou Armstrong was born in Greenville, Ohio, on March 2 1928. She grew up in Redlands, CA where she attended high school and later graduated from the University of Redlands.
It was there that she received her BA and Special Secondary Credential in Art. Art was a major passion for Marylou throughout her life. It was also at the University of Redlands where she met and fell in love with her husband, Gordon S.W. Tornell. They were married on August 19, 1950 in Redlands. While on their honeymoon, Gordon received his draft notice to report to the Army. Marylou returned to Gordon’s hometown of Ripon, CA. and taught art and freshman English at Ripon High School. When Gordon was transferred to San Antonio, Marylou joined him. After nearly a year there and another in Virginia, they returned home to Ripon, where Gordon rejoined the family business, Tornell Grain and Produce, later Tornell Farm Service. Marylou and Gordon spent the rest of their lives together in Ripon raising their family.
Marylou was an accomplished artist, painting in oils and watercolors for much of her life. She had a ceramic studio where she made hundreds of containers and pieces of art that were loved by many of her Garden Club friends. She sculpted, worked with stone, did silk-screen, weaved, worked with metal and more. Marylou loved to garden, cook, sew, sing, play bridge, and attend church. All of the things she loved to do became harder and harder as she declined in health for the past 10 years or so.
Marylou was preceded in death by her husband Gordon in 2005. She is survived by her children, daughter Debbie Tornell of Ripon, her son Mitchell Tornell of Auburn, CA, and grandchildren Evan Tornell and Ryan Tornell.
We would like to give a special thanks to Barbara Segaar for the wonderful care, friendship, and love she provided for our Mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice, Inc., 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356. A service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 100 North Acacia Avenue, Ripon CA, on Friday, February 18, 2011, at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel; there is an online guest book available for you to share your memories and condolences; please visit our website at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com, search obituaries.
It was there that she received her BA and Special Secondary Credential in Art. Art was a major passion for Marylou throughout her life. It was also at the University of Redlands where she met and fell in love with her husband, Gordon S.W. Tornell. They were married on August 19, 1950 in Redlands. While on their honeymoon, Gordon received his draft notice to report to the Army. Marylou returned to Gordon’s hometown of Ripon, CA. and taught art and freshman English at Ripon High School. When Gordon was transferred to San Antonio, Marylou joined him. After nearly a year there and another in Virginia, they returned home to Ripon, where Gordon rejoined the family business, Tornell Grain and Produce, later Tornell Farm Service. Marylou and Gordon spent the rest of their lives together in Ripon raising their family.
Marylou was an accomplished artist, painting in oils and watercolors for much of her life. She had a ceramic studio where she made hundreds of containers and pieces of art that were loved by many of her Garden Club friends. She sculpted, worked with stone, did silk-screen, weaved, worked with metal and more. Marylou loved to garden, cook, sew, sing, play bridge, and attend church. All of the things she loved to do became harder and harder as she declined in health for the past 10 years or so.
Marylou was preceded in death by her husband Gordon in 2005. She is survived by her children, daughter Debbie Tornell of Ripon, her son Mitchell Tornell of Auburn, CA, and grandchildren Evan Tornell and Ryan Tornell.
We would like to give a special thanks to Barbara Segaar for the wonderful care, friendship, and love she provided for our Mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice, Inc., 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356. A service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 100 North Acacia Avenue, Ripon CA, on Friday, February 18, 2011, at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel; there is an online guest book available for you to share your memories and condolences; please visit our website at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com, search obituaries.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, Feb. 18, 2011
Friday, Feb. 18, 2011
