Sheila Bryson passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2025 in Ventura, California after living a wonderful life of over 95 years.
Sheila was born in Ventura, CA at Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital on June 9, 1930 to Ardell and Marguerite White. She grew up on Poli Street and walked to nearby Saint Catherine By The Sea School where she made wonderful, lifelong friendships. Growing up, Sheila, an only child, was somewhat of a tomboy, surrounded by her male cousins who lived in Ojai, the Johnson boys. As kids, they would all run around together at Moms and Pops’ place at Lyon’s Hot Springs in Matilija Canyon hiking, fishing, swimming, riding Sheila’s pony, Toby, and delighting as kids do in the great outdoors.
Following graduation from St. Catherine’s, Sheila attended Ventura College with the intention of transferring to UC Berkeley. But God had other plans. While studying at Ventura College, Sheila met Richard Bryson while he was working on the school’s musical. Sheila, a dancer, shared mutual friends with Richard who was the student choir director. It was love at first sight and the two were married on September 10, 1951 at Mission San Buenaventura and held their reception at The Pierpont Inn. Soon after, Richard’s service in the Air Force led the newlyweds to Madison, Wisconsin where the first two of their four children, Kathleen and Susan, were born. After their time with the Air Force, they moved to San Jose where Richard would complete his college degree.
In 1957, the small family moved back to Ventura County, settling in Santa Paula where Michael and Jeanine were born. Sheila and Rich loved their home on Mariposa Drive which became the epicenter of Bryson family birthdays and holidays for over 55 wonderful years.
Sheila and Rich adored one another and the life they had built together. Sheila completely and proudly relished her role as a wife and mother. She was the powerhouse who kept their world thriving with her understated strength, intelligence and ready sense of humor. Their shared values (faith, family and fun) were the lodestar for the family. Their differences were perfectly complimentary. While Rich was a gregarious extrovert, Sheila, with a genuine interest in meticulous details, was the queen of one-on-one catch-ups. Both were always up for a fun time with family and friends. Rich played every instrument under the sun while Sheila was the first to grab a sing-a-long book and join in. Rich would make his presence known with his boisterous laugh. Sheila was constantly amused and delighted by him while she preferred a witty quip under her breath. And she had some zingers!
Sheila and Rich both loved the outdoors and shared that passion with their children, spending entire summers at Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, or Kings Canyon National Parks where Rich was a park naturalist during his summer breaks as a science teacher at Santa Paula High School. Even when their family of six was assigned a two-room tent cabin in Kings Canyon with no bathroom and no hot water, Sheila never complained. At least out loud! In addition to all the family memories, the couple established wonderful friendships at Grant Grove, which they maintained and cherished well after their park service career ended.
Throughout their nearly 60 years in Santa Paula together, Sheila and Rich enjoyed great friendships with the SPHS staff and with fellow parishioners from St. Sebastian’s Church. They loved their friends dearly and needed no excuse to throw a party. They enjoyed traveling with their RV group, where big money ($1) was won or lost over a game of 31.
During her life, Sheila generously gave of her time and talents, volunteering not only in her children’s parent-teacher organizations but also in the Family Literacy (FLAIR) program at the Santa Paula’s Blanchard Library, the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser, and St. Sebastian’s Church YLI (Young Ladies Institute). She was also an active member of the Santa Paula chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority which supported academic and civic projects.
Sheila’s family was her whole world. With her four children, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, Sheila prioritized family gatherings and celebrations above all else. Over the years, she was always present for various life milestones, big or small: from sporting events and drama performances, to preschool promotions and high school and college graduations. The family flipped the script on them in 2001, when their four children and eleven grandchildren surprised Sheila and Rich with a family trip to Hawaii for their 50th wedding anniversary. She and Rich adored and celebrated their family, living lives of peaceful contentment and gratitude. They considered themselves blessed and exemplified for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren what it means to live a life together with purpose and love.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Rowe Residence for their exceptional, tireless, and loving care of Sheila. They would also like to extend their sincere thanks to Mission Hospice for the compassionate support they provided.
Sheila was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Richard Bryson, her parents, Ardell and Marguerite White, and great-granddaughter, Grace Maddigan.
She leaves behind daughter Kathleen Murray (predeceased by Kevin), daughter Susan Edgar (Doug), son Michael Bryson (Denise) and daughter Jeanine Lewis (James), eleven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Sheila’s life will be celebrated in a memorial Mass on July 15th at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 3175 Telegraph Road, Ventura. A Rosary will be held on July 14th at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.