Judith Eason 1941-2004

Judith Carol Eason, 62, died May 20 at Hemet Valley Medical Center.

Born Dec. 10, 1941, in Alhambra, Judith grew up in La Crescenta and graduated from Glendale High School in 1959.

A homemaker for 43 years, she enjoyed working in her yard, attending car shows and staying at the family cabin in Big Bear. She lived in Hemet for the past 25 years.

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, Cyril and Doris Warner, and her husband of 43 years, Tom Eason, who died in 2002.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tom Jr. and Julie Eason of Romoland; daughter and son-in-law Lori and Robert Dominguez of San Jacinto; brother Jim Warner of La Crescenta; and grandchildren Nathaniel, Ariana and Caitlyn.

After a visitation at McWane Family Funeral Home in Hemet May 24, Judith was interred at San Jacinto Valley Cemetery.

Manuel L. Gomez

Aug. 17, 1913 - June 1, 2004

Manuel Gomez, a longtime resident of La Crescenta, died peacefully Tuesday, June 1, with his wife, Faye, by his side.

Services were held Monday, June 7, at the Old North Church at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills. More than 200 friends and relatives attended the service, which was officiated by the pastor of Manuel’s church, Rev. Scott Wood, along with his brother-in-law, Rev. Herman Rosenberger. Two of Manuel’s brothers, Rev. Fermin Gomez and Rev. Arthur Gomez, also officiated the grave side ceremony.

Manuel, whose family came from Spain, was born in Lajara, Colo., on Aug. 17, 1913. He was the eldest of 10 children, whom he helped raise. After graduating trade and art school, he served in the United States Army in the early to mid-1940s. He served in World War II in both the Philippines and Japan.

After returning from the Army, Manuel began a career as a patternman for Heath and Co., a large sign company in Los Angeles. For over 40 years, he designed such infamous signs as “Kentucky Fried Chicken,” the Flamingo Hotel sign in Las Vegas, and may more that will be a constant memory of Manuel for his family and friends as they drive the streets anywhere in the country.

Manuel married the love of his life, Faye Jeanne Ahoine, on May 22, 1948, and moved to La Crescenta. Childless 11 years, the couple at Christmas in 1959 adopted three sisters, 3, 4 and 5 years of age, three gifts they would treasure for the rest of their lives. To accommodate their new family, Manuel built a new home in 1962. All three daughters attended and graduated from Crescenta Valley High School.

Manuel and Faye have been active members of the Crescenta Valley Foursquare Church for more than 30 years, where Manuel served as an elder.

Manuel is survived by his wife, Faye, of La Crescenta, his daughter Toni Jones and husband Jeff of Montrose; daughter Denile Fisher and husband Jim of Newhall; daughter Cheri Turner and husband Bob of Newhall; along with 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Penny Longpre

Dec. 14, 1922-

June 3, 2004

Funeral services were held June 8 in the chapel at Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside for former La Cañadan Penny Longpre, 81, who died June 3.

Born in Utah on Dec. 4, 1922, Penny had been a resident of Vista for more than 16 years.

She was an accomplished fine artist, teaching her skills to young and old, owning several art galleries including, for 15 years, the Longpre Gallery in La Cañada where she showed not only many of her own fine works but those of other notable artists throughout the country.

Penny shared her talents by teaching art classes and doing art restoration.

She was also an active parishioner of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church. As a former Big Band singer, Penny was well known for her many musical productions put on at the many clubs she belonged to. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mayflower Society, and the Flintridge La Cañada Rotary Club. In La Cañada, she was voted “Woman of the Year” for her many contributions to the community.

Penny was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Jack Longpre, and daughter Debbie Longpre. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Rod and Karen Longpre of La Crescenta, daughter and son-in-law, Dina and Chris Grant of Vista.

She also leaves six grandchildren, Jonathan and Patrick, of Vista and Bryan, Jessica, Matthew and Cory of La Crescenta.