Hedwig (Hedy) Antonia Roripaugh

Hedwig (Hedy) Antonia Roripaugh, born March 18, 1918, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2013, in Escondido, California.

Hedy was the only child of Austrian immigrants John and Hedwig Katherine Berger. She was born in Detroit and grew up in Livonia Township, Wayne, Michigan.

On May 1, 1943, Hedy enlisted in the Women Army Corps (WACS) as a stenographer/typist. She was stationed first in North Africa, then in southern Italy, and finally in France. Discharged in 1945, she was very proud of her military service and her status as a veteran of World War II.

After returning to Michigan, she worked for an advertising agency and for Ford Motor Company. While vacationing in Southern California, she answered an ad in The Los Angeles Times for a stenographer’s position. It stated that the applicant must be willing to live in the country and like animals. She applied, was hired, and went to work for Erle Stanley Gardner, the mystery writer and creator of Perry Mason. While working at Rancho del Paisano, Mr. Gardner’s “fiction factory” near Temecula, she met Louis (Louie) Roripaugh. They were married in 1947, and from that time until the mid 1960’s, Hedy and Louie lived at Casa Loma on the Pauba Ranch, where Louie was the ranch manager for the Vail Company.

For the last forty five years of her life, Hedy resided on Wilt Road, in rural Fallbrook. During those years, in addition to occasional travel adventures, she baked cookies for friends and neighbors and cared for her beautiful garden.

Hedy was predeceased by her husband Louie in 1994. She is survived by her son Ray Louis Roripaugh (Francisca) of Hermosillo, Mexico, daughter Louise Beesley (David) of Nevada City, California, grandchildren Lynne Frame (Rick) of Mill Valley, California, Scott Frame (Johanna) of Oakdale, California, and three grandsons, Alex Hoskins Frame, Louis Byerly Frame, and Charles Byerly Frame.

Donations in Hedy’s memory may be made to The Salvation Army or a charity of the donor’s choice.

A memorial gathering and celebration of Hedy’s life will take place on April 13, 2013, at Pala Mesa Resort. If you would like to attend, please call Louise Beesley at (530) 470-8770.