Obituary of Eileen D. Shamel

Eileen Reid Davidson was the firstborn to James Fleming Davidson and Irene Reid. She was soon joined by her loving sister and brother, Charlotte J. Davidson, and James F. Davidson, Jr. in Riverside, California. Eileen attended Riverside Polytechnic High School followed by the University of California, Berkeley. She was a proud member of Alpha Phi Sorority and was chosen as the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. She served faithfully as the Chapter Advisor to Alpha Phi Gamma Beta at UC Santa Barbara. Eileen married her high school sweetheart, Norman A. Shamel in 1937, in Riverside, CA. This loving union produced three children: Richard(dec), John, and Kathleen (Dennis) Kittle. A loyal Sunkist family, they lived and raised their children in Corona and Santa Barbara. Eileen worked as a substitute teacher and homemaker. She served as an assistant to the Social Studies teachers at San Marcos High School and for many years was a "Pink Lady" at County General Hospital. She became a very proud grandmother(7), great-grandmother(14), and a great-great grandmother(2). Her first grandchild coined her nickname and she became, forever, "Gaga". Eileen was an avid Bridge player and enjoyed the longtime friendship of her bridge club, "The Second Tuesday Bridge Club". She especially enjoyed walks in the neighborhood and was known to all as the "Lady in Pink". Completing her daily crossword puzzles kept her bright and her memories close at hand. Fall was football for Gaga, especially the "Big" games, CAL vs Stanford and CAL vs USC. On October 1, 2014, at 98 years young, "Gaga" achieved her goal of proudly living alone in her cherished home to her last days. Eileen's serene passing was after only a week's stay in Vista del Monte where she was aided by caring nurses, Hospice, and her Pastor Jim Proeber, in rejoining her husband, Norm, her son, Richard, sister, Charlotte, brother, James, and her mother and father, James and Irene. She leaves behind her son, John, daughter, Kathleen, and all of her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and her many nieces and nephews. Gaga's rich and happy life was an inspiration to all in her family and to those who knew her. A memorial service will be held on October 18, at 1:00 PM, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. A reception at her house will follow. The family would like to thank the emergency staff at Goleta Valley Hospital, Dr. Jeffery Polito, Dr. Sal Garofalo, Dr. Frank Gamberdella, Santa Barbara Hospice, Pastor Jim Proeber and the congregation of Our Redeemer Luthern Church, and all of the family and friends for the outstanding care and kind thoughts and wishes. Eileen's cremation will be handled by McDermott Crockett Mortuary, Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Eileen's favorite charity, Wounded Warriors, or your own favored charity.