Ellen "Babe" Gill Ladd passed away at home surrounded by her family after a short illness. She was born and raised in Oxnard, California, the youngest of six children. As a child she enjoyed a free-spirited life on her family's 100-acre farm. She graduated from Oxnard High in 1938, attended Ventura College and went on to work at Camarillo State Hospital as a secretary. She met Francis Marvin Ladd in 1943 when he was stationed in Ventura during World War II. They married at Mission San Buenaventura on May 14, 1944, and moved to South Gate, California, where they raised their 12 children.

In 1970 Ellen attended Trade Tech College and then began working as an administrative assistant at Locke High School in Los Angeles, and South Gate Junior High.

After her husband of 33 years passed away in 1977, Ellen moved to Santa Maria and worked at Lompoc Valley Middle School. She retired in 1991 and moved to Vandenberg Village.

She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the American Heart Association and other non-profit organizations. She also volunteered and attended Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Lompoc.

She was an avid sports fan, enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and an occasional game of golf at the Vandenberg Village Country Club. She always loved going for short nature hikes with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her 12 children and leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Her 98 year old sister, Margaret Reeder, resides in Ventura.

Ellen Regina Ladd was beloved by all who knew her. She was a kind and gentle soul with a great sense of humor who always thought of others and never said a harsh word about anyone. She was an extremely patient person who was loving, caring, generous and an eternal optimist. She will be missed and loved as unconditionally as she loved others.

Visitation is Thursday, May 26, 4 - 8 pm, with a Rosary at 5 pm, at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, 123 North A Street in Lompoc, CA 93436, (805) 735-3773. www.starbucklind.com

A Funeral Mass will be Friday, May 27, 10 am, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 3495 Rucker Road, Lompoc CA 93436, (805) 733-2735. A reception will follow.

Graveside Services will be Tuesday, May 31, 10 am, at All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807, (562) 424-8601.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Ellen Ladd Memorial Student Scholarship, La Purisima Conception Catholic School, 219 W. Olive Ave., Lompoc CA 93436.