Ethel Letitia Berryhill

Ethel Letitia Berryhill, 76, passed away October 27, 2010, at Madrone Hospice House in Yreka. Ethel was born February 21, 1934, in Dallas Oregon. She was raised on a farm with her 2 brothers and sister, where her brother and his family continue to reside today. Following her graduation from Dallas High School, Ethel attended College of the Pacific in Stockton, majoring in music therapy, graduating with a Bachelor of Music. She worked as a music therapist for three years at Stockton State Hospital and then traveled to Germany where she spent two years as a recreation director for the Department of the Army. Upon her return to the U.S., she worked for Modesto State Hospital for six months as a music therapist. She then married and moved to San Francisco for two years, working secretarial jobs while her husband, Norman, obtained his degree and teaching credential. She came to Yreka in 1963 when Norman accepted a position teaching drama, speech and English at Yreka High School. She stayed home and took care of her two children, Karen and Kevin, until they started school, at which time she began working for the Siskiyou County Mental Health Department as a medical stenographer. In 1995, she retired from her position as the Mental Health Department’s business administrator. Prior to Norman’s death in 2001, Ethel and Norman spent their retirement traveling, visiting Greece, Italy and Canada. She also enjoyed traveling to Colorado and Fresno to spend time with Kevin and his family and Karen and her family. She was an active member of Yreka Community Theater’s Red Scarf Society and the local Women’s Investment Group. Throughout her life, music continued as a hobby for Ethel. For years she belonged to a small group of local residents who met and performed monthly in each other’s homes. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, her mother and father, Roy and Leticia Blanchard, her sister Lillian and her brother Donald. She is survived by her brother Ralph Blanchard of Dallas, Oregon; her daughter, Karen Barrett of Fresno, and Karen’s three children, Elizabeth, Christian and Carson; her son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Tami Berryhill of Napa, and their three children, Kyle, Brady and Caitlyn; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Yreka United Methodist Church, 502 Fairchild St. in Yreka. Memorial Contributions may be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097, or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. Girdner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Ethel Letitia Berryhill

February 21, 1934 - October 27, 2010