Lois Yvonne Sullender

Lois Yvonne Jarrett was born April 7, 1922 in Danvers, Illinois as the youngest of five children, to her parents Clark S. and Maeta Jarrett. Her brothers and sisters called her "Vonnie," which soon became "Bonnie," a nickname that stuck with her for most of her adult life. In her teens, her family relocated to west Philadelphia where Lois attended Upper Darby High School. As teenagers, she and her sister Dot became active in youth program at Lansdowne Presbyterian Church, a connection to the Presbyterians that she maintained all of her life. Lois liked socializing and was known for being a lively young person. Shortly after graduating from High School, she was re-introduced to Robert T. Sullender. Robert had known "Bonnie" and her family since high school. After a short courtship, they fell in love. Then in 1942, on the eve of Robert's enlistment in the Air Force, they eloped and got married. Robert was released from the Air Force shortly thereafter due to a medical condition and served his country through the War as a train engineer, running troop trains throughout the northeast. After the war ended, Lois gave birth to her first child, Scott in 1946. In 1948, the family moved to California in the search of work and a better life.

After they arrived in California, Bonnie and Bob settled in Eagle Rock, a district of Los Angeles where they made a home and raised three children. Son David was born in 1950 and daughter, Kim three years later in 1953. Lois created a warm, stable and welcoming home, where neighbor children were always coming and going. These years were filled with rich memories, warm holiday events, including summer time camping trips and extended stays at a beach house. She was a den mother for the club scouts, and participated in various activities at her children's schools. She attended and joined the Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church, which provided another source of community relationships and activities. Lois was always very proud of her three children and eventual seven eventual grandchildren. She took great joy in their accomplishments and provided support whenever she could in the form of free advice, a listening ear and occasional place to live right up to the end of her life. Her grandchildren remember fondly the continued tradition of warm holiday gatherings at Grandma's house with extended family when they were young.

After raising her three children, Lois worked for some 15 years at Glendale College, primarily in student records. She enjoyed relating to students and made lasting friendships with many of her peers at the college. She always valued education in general, for herself and for her children. She was a life-long reader, enjoying American history, a good mystery novel and her morning newspaper. Her family often joked with her that she was the only grandmother who watch only the scariest crime drama on television on a Friday night. Lois valued hard work, professionalism, honesty and good taste. During and after her retirement from Glendale College, she was active in the Patrons' Club of Glendale College.

Lois had a big heart from animals, those who suffer innocently and the under-dogs in life. There was always a stray dog or cat waiting at her door stop and almost always a dog in her life. When her children were young they had a "duck named Sam" who used to follow them to the store. Other stories abound of visiting animals, such as chickens, birds and the back-yard squirrels of whom she fed up until the end of her life. Even though she never had a lot of money, Lois is on the list of every animal welfare organization. Lois also particularly enjoyed gardening. She had a strong passion and knowledge of flowers which she shared with her family. Her yards have always been filled with roses and chrysanthemums of which she tended to with great care. For many years when she was still able, she was active in the support of the Descanso Gardens.

In the second half of her life, Lois passed through several significant emotional challenges, beginning with the untimely death of her husband in 1985. She endured this change of life with perseverance and resiliency, refocusing her energy to being a support to her daughter Kim, who battled cancer for some 20 years until her death in 2004. During this time period, she enjoyed traveling a couple times a year and particularly cherished the trips she took with Kim, and another with her son, David, who also died unexpectedly in 2012. The death of two of her two children took an emotional toll on Lois. Yet she responded with fortitude, expressed often in her repeated phrase, "This too shall pass."

In the last years of her life she provided a strong source of support and formed close bonds to her daughter's children, Miranda and Brandon, who cared for her up until her final days. She also remained close and a continued source of support to her son Scott and family, as well as other special friends who were very dear. She continued to enjoy hosting holiday family gatherings at her home when she was still able. Lois had a tremendous sense of humor and wit. She continued to value information, her morning paper and intelligent discussion. At age 92 and with failing health, Lois could still engage anyone in intelligent conversation, quick wit or give you advice over up over a cup of coffee. Her sense of humor, strength and courage carried her to her final hours. With assistance, Lois remained living in her home in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles up until a couple months before her passing. With family surrounding her, Lois died of natural causes on July 26, 2014 at Monte Vista Nursing home in Pasadena at the age of 92 years old.

She is survived by her son, R. Scott Sullender, of Petaluma, CA, her seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is very loved by her family and will be deeply missed.

Services will be held on Monday, August 4, 2014 at the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn, Old North Church, where she will be interned next to her husband of 43 years and her mother in law.