* Ella Richardson; Descendant of Pioneer Families

Ventura native Ella Dennison Richardson, a descendant of two pioneering families in the county, died Monday at her home after a long illness. She was 89.

Richardson’s father was born on the Dennison ranch in the upper Ojai and her mother was from an early Ventura family. Richardson was born Aug. 4, 1909.

Trips to school on horseback were routine for her in the early 1910s. There were no cars and her steed knew the way. But the return trip was exciting as the horse, tired and hungry, galloped home.

“Coming home was like lightning. The horse was ready to eat,� said Richardson’s daughter, Beverley, recalling a story her mother had told her.

She attended Ventura schools, graduating from Ventura High School in 1927. She attended Knapp College of Nursing in Santa Barbara, graduating in 1933.

Two years later, she married Mark Richardson of Santa Paula. The couple lived on a ranch that had sheep and horses. Her husband died in 1963.

Ella Richardson worked as a registered nurse at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara and was a founder of the Ventura County Nurses’ Assn. She was a member of the World Wildlife Fund and asked that donations be made to the Ventura County Humane Society. In addition to her daughter, Richardson is survived by a sister, JaNette D. Washburn of Diamond Springs.

At Richardson’s request, there will be no services. Private interment is under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.