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Cynthia Fisher-Sever
Cynthia Fisher-Sever, 50, of Ashland, died Monday, Jan. 13, 2003, at home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Christine V. Brewer
Christine V. Brewer, 92, of Ashland, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003, at her residence. Arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Elizabeth Guest Berryhill
Elizabeth Guest Berryhill, 82, a primary force in theater in the Bay Area and beyond, passed away at home in San Anselmo, Calif. on Dec. 6, 2002.
She was born Jan. 22, 1920 in Berkeley, Calif. She was founder and artistic director of two theater companies: the Strawhat Theatre in Lafayette and Berkeley (1948-1956), and the Festival Theatre in San Anselmo (1957-1970), exerting major influence on the development of theater in the Bay Area. She was also playwright-in-residence and lecturer in Christianity and the Arts at the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo.
Years before the civil rights revolution in the United States, Ms. Berryhill produced and directed "Lost In The Stars," a musical adaptation of Alan Paton's novel, "Cry, The Beloved Country." To find black singers and actors, she held tryouts in black churches and cast fireman Eugene Jones, who had appeared as soloist with the Oakland Symphony Chorus and the Oakland Light Opera Association, as the lead actor. "Miss Berryhill is, of course, a genius," wrote reviewer Albert Johnson in the San Francisco Chronicle (Aug. 6, 1959.)
Writing much of the material herself, she created legendary comic revues. One of the most loved antic pieces was repeat performances by "The Pinole Mixed Choral Society" in which Ms. Berryhill played the intrepid director, Mrs. Eldred Blodgett.
"For to be able to laugh at oneself is truly a sign of health," she wrote, "and the miracle of humor would seem to be that the more we break apart in joy, the more we may be able to come together in pain."
She gave to thousands of her audience members, students, friends and family the support that made possible significant achievement in the arts. Several, including Lois de Banzie and Jane and Gordon Connell, went on to careers in theater in New York, Hollywood and on national television.
Elizabeth is survived by the following nieces and nephews: James Berryhill IV of Manhattan Beach, Calif. ; Peter Berryhill of Moraga, Calif.; Matthew Berryhill of Discovery Bay, Calif.; Ken and Elizabeth B. Pelletier of Alamo, Calif.; Susan Berryhill and Phil Miller of Ashland; Christiane Angelo Kropp of St. Louis, Mo.; Alex Angelo of Carson City, Nev.; Nancy Angelo and Nancy McCauley of El Cerrito, Calif. She is also survived by two grand-nephews, Hobie Kropp of St. Louis, Mo. and Bridger Angelo of Carson City, Nev.
There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003, at the First Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo, Calif. The family asks that memorial donations be sent to the Elizabeth G. Berryhill Scholarship Fund for Low-Income Writers. Checks may be sent to Amherst Writers & Artists, P.O. Box 1076, Amherst, Mass. 01004.
Marshall E. Woodell
Marshall E. Woodell, 91, of Ashland, died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 at Scenic Hills Foster Home in Ashland. A private family memorial gathering will be held. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to a charity of the donor's choice.
Mr. Woodell was born March 20, 1911 in LaGrande, Ore. to James Albert and Jessie Elizabeth (Baker) Woodell. He was a graduate of Baker High School and was the first Eagle Scout of Baker County. On Dec. 23, 1932 in McMinnville, he married Dorothy Dirks, who survives.
He received his political science bachelor's degree from Linfield College, McMinnville, and his master's degree from the University of Oregon. He taught at Ashland High School and Southern Oregon University prior to World War II. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy teaching at Willamette University Naval Officers Training School. He continued his Naval service in the reserves, retiring with the rank of commander.
After World War II, he obtained his Ph.D. from Oregon State University. He returned to Ashland in 1946 and continued his association with SOC, retiring in 1972 as director of graduate studies. He served three 5-year terms on the Ashland School Board. He enjoyed fishing from the dock of the family cabin at Fish Lake and hunting at the family ranch at Buck Prairie.
Survivors in addition to his wife, Dorothy Dirks Woodell, of Ashland include a son, C. Braehm "Woody" Woodell of Lakeview, Ore.; daughters, Marchial Sue Hamilton of Clackamas, Ore., and Doree Anne Hull of Lebanon, Ore.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Elwood Woodell and a sister, Donna Marcia Wetherald.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Cooper A. Lewis
Cooper A. Lewis, 37, of Ashland, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003, at home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Hazel E. Gratten-Norris
Hazel E. Gratten-Norris, 86, of Medford, died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, at the Three Fountains Nursing Home, Medford. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Cynthia Fisher-Sever
The memorial service for Cynthia Fisher-Sever will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church, Ashland. Officiating will be Rev. Michael Powell.
Ms. Fisher-Sever, an international concert and recording vocal artist, was born June, 21, 1952 in Oakland, Calif. and was raised in the Hayward, Calif. area. She was a graduate of the San Francisco State University and received a teaching credential in theatre and music from UC Berkeley.
She lived in Tokyo, Japan for six years where she performed with the Yokohama Symphony and the Tokyo Philharmonic and was featured on numerous Japanese television broadcasts. Cynthia moved to Ashland in 1996 and performed with the Rogue Valley Opera. She was the featured soprano for the Opera Italiano '97 and the summer Festival Italiano '98. Ms. Fisher-Sever is a church soloist and has performed for Opera Outreach in Southern Oregon.
On July 13, 1997 in Ashland, she married Donald Sever who survives. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother, Charlotte Fisher of Hayward, Calif. and her father, John D. McCarty of El Sobrante, Calif.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cynthia Fisher Memorial Fund at Rogue Federal Credit Union, 415 Lithia Way, Ashland, Ore. 97520
Arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Catherine Connor
Catherine Connor, 95, of Ashland, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, at the Linda Vista Care Center, Ashland. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
Cooper Alexander Lewis
"A time of sharing" memorial for Cooper will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, in upper Lithia Park. He was born in Marin County, Calif. on Oct. 29, 1965. At the age of 37, on Jan. 16, 2003, his congenitally-impaired heart failed.
He attended Briscoe and Ashland Junior and Senior High Schools. For several seasons he performed a variety of roles with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and founded "The Black Cygnets", a children's performing art troop. He was awarded a scholarship to a summer session of the noted Minneapolis Children's Theater.
In 1986, with his brother and sister, he opened the China Pepper Restaurant in Sun Valley in partnership with Beasy McMillan. Throughout his education for and work in the graphic arts field, he continued to be involved in restaurant work.
Following a trip to Europe in 1989, he concentrated on developing his artistic skills and attended Kodak's Palm Beach Workshops studying advanced digital imaging.
Prior to establishing his own freelance business, he was art director for Satory, Mathis and Beedle Advertising Agency as well as Palm Beach and Hamptons Magazines.
He exhibited fine art images at West End Arts in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Most recently, he combined this graphic art and restaurant experience in helping to open a new Ashland establishment.
He is survived by his father, Geoffrey and brother, Prescott of Ashland; mother, Patricia of Novato, Calif.; brother Courtney of Cotati, Calif.; sister, Paulette and brother-in-law Michael; nephew, Austen; niece, Ali Butler of Hailey, Idaho; and special friend, Joanne Mann of West Palm Beach, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cooper Lewis Memorial, Parks and Recreation Department, 340 S. Pioneer St., Ashland, Ore. 97520.
Rose Martha Gearheard
A memorial graveside service for Rose Martha Gearheard will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, at the Eagle Point National Cemetery, Eagle Point. Officiating will be Pastor Bob Huntoon of the Valley Bible Fellowship, Talent.
Mrs. Gearheard, 60, of Talent, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2003, at the Ashland Community Hospital.
She was born May 9, 1942 at Abbington, Penn., the daughter of Rose and Herbert Hellyer. She was raised in Pennsylvania and lived in California and Michigan before moving to the Rogue Valley in 1988. On Nov. 3, 1992 at Gold Hill, she married Charles Gearheard who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Gearheard worked as the head housekeeper at the Mark Anthony Hotel in Ashland for several years. She enjoyed crafts, knitting and her grandchildren.
Surviving are two daughters, Tina Richards of Talent and Dierdra Vertichio of Chatsworth, Calif.; two sons, James Bohannon and Kenneth Bohannon both of California; one brother, Herbert Hellyer of Talent and 15 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home and Crematory, Ashland.
