Geraldine "Gerri" Ewing-O'Toole

Geraldine "Gerri" Ewing-O'Toole, 93, of Downey, California, died on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at the Downey Regional Medical Center. November 7 was also her birthday. Gerri was the eldest child of James Harold Ewing and Lillian Redman Brooks Ewing. She was born at home on the family farm near Boydsville, Callaway County, Missouri. She was the third generation of Ewings born at this family home. Her great-grandfather, James Patton Ewing and great-grandmother, Belinda Neil Ewing came from Lee County, Virginia, to Missouri while Missouri was still the Missouri/Arkansas Territory. At the age of four, Gerri attended school in a one-room schoolhouse near Boydsville, Missouri. When Gerri was 14, her mother died prematurely and she helped raise her five younger siblings. In 1943, Gerri surprised everyone when she went West to Los Angeles to work in the defense plants during World War II. Gerri made her home in Los Angeles County for the rest of her life. After working in the defense plants, she worked for 35-years at the Fiberboard Products, Inc. In the late 1940's Gerri met Ray Jerome O'Toole, and they were married in the fall of 1964, a first marriage for both. In the early 1980's they purchased their first home in Downey, Calif., where Gerri became an avid gardener of many roses and fruit trees. She loved roses. After her husband's death, Gerri lived alone and remained active. During her entire life, she had never been to a doctor or in a hospital. Her famous quote was, "Don't go to a doctor and don't take medicine." Gerri's favorite music was Irish songs and Country Western music. She loved cigarettes, coffee, and See's candy. She was a very proud member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Gerri was pre-deceased by her parents and husband, Ray; brother, Irven P. Ewing, (Oct. 6, 2002); sisters, Gladys Ewing Miller (Nov. 24, 2002); Juanita Ewing Attebery (Nov. 12, 2002); and one nephew, Mark K. Miller (Nov. 22, 2010). She is survived by one brother, Russell Kenneth Ewing and wife, Dorothy, Tebbetts, Missouri; sister, Hazel Ewing Daro, Fairbanks, Alaska; sister-in-law, Ann Taylor Ewing; brother-in-law, William T. Attebery; 13 nieces and nephews: Marcia Miller Hoelscher; Steven W. Ewing; Roger D. Ewing; David K. Ewing; James Andrew "Andy" Ewing; Irven Craig Ewing; James Michael Attebery; Douglas Ewing Attebery; Melinda Attebery Hudson; Gregory A. Attebery; Juanita P. Daro Fairbanks; Andrea D. Daro; Pamela Tracy Daro Morgan; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews; and many friends. A graveside service was held on Saturday, November 10, 2012. She was buried next to her husband, Ray at Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, Whittier, Calif.