EATON, Vera
EATON, Vera (1906-2004) [SS#546-24-5712], only surviving daughter of Ira and Margaret Eaton. She spent her childhood living at Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz Island, where she was exposed to film producers and movie stars of the silent film era. She left the island to pursue a career in acting in Hollywood. Actor, David Niven (1910-1983), referred to Vera in an unflattering way, without mentioning her name, in his 1975 book, Bring on the Empty Horses. Vera threatened to sue Putnam’s, Niven’s American publisher, for libel. Putnam’s chose to pay Vera an out-of-court settlement for $6000. Half the sum was deducted from Niven’s next royalty payment, and he allegedly left Putnam’s over the incident, because they did not give him a chance to fight the case. Vera Amey died on July 9, 2004 in Fillmore, California at age 98.
married Gibbons; Vera Amey (lived at 10149 Louis Ave., Northridge, CA)
» Niven, David Bring on the Empty Horses New York: Putnam's, (1975)
In the News~
July 4, 1914 [SBMP]: “Captain Ira K. Eaton returned from Pelican Bay in his powerboat, Sea Wolf, at noon yesterday, to add his handsome craft to the marine pageant that is expected to be such an important feature this evening, in the big celebration. Mrs. Eaton and her daughter, Vera, returned with the Captain for the Fourth of July festivities.”
October 27, 2005 [VCS]: “Vera Natalie Eaton Amey, daughter of Margaret Ann Holden Eaton and Capt. Ira Eaton of Santa Barbara, made her transition on July 9, 2004 at the age of 98. A resident of Ventura County for more than 50 years, Vera lived primarily in Fillmore but also shared her home with her daughter in Santa Paula. Although born in Santa Barbara on March 15, 1906, her fondest memories were stories of her upbringing on Santa Cruz Island. Vera graduated from Santa Barbara High School before working in the film industry in the 1920s. She was a loving wife and mother, who supported and sheltered not only her immediate family but extended family members as well, during the lean time of the Depression. One of her greatest accomplishments was publishing her mother's diary detailing the early Santa Barbara and Channel Islands history. Diary of a Sea Captain's Wife, in 1980. Vera painstakingly verified information, collected photos, helped to edit the manuscript and saw the project through from conception to fruition. Diary of a Sea Captain's Wife has since become a classic tale of local history. Vera's fondest and most vivid memories were of her enchanting childhood spent on Santa Cruz Island. Among her memories was acting as guide and fishing expert to a visiting John Barrymore, who gave her a child's sewing kit complete with a child's-size silver thimble for one of her birthdays. Helping her mother and father with tourists and visitors to the island, including filmmakers, actors, novelists and many others, still inspired her warm and vivid memories decades afterward. During her teens, she was introduced to acting, playing her first role as a mermaid. Vera's love, beautiful soul and selflessness have touched so many, including her late husband, Ronald 'Bud' Amey. She will be remembered with respect, admiration and affection by her daughter and son-in-law, Jevere and John Klingaman of West hills; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Amey and Barbara Kurtz of Santa Paula; daughter Susan AMey of Santa Paula; grandchildren, Jonna Reid of Simi Valley, Marc Klingaman of Simi Valley, Michelle Amey Powell and her husband, Scott, of THousand Oaks, Jessica Cook of Claremont and Jay-Michael Cook of Santa Paula; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew and Jesse Holden Reid of Simi Valley, Tyler Klingaman of West Hills, Cara, Laura and Emmagrace Klingaman of Idyllwild and Spenser Powell of Thousand Oaks. A service to celebrate Vera's life of love and dedication to her family will be held at 10 Am Wednesday, July 14, at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary in Santa Paula. Arrangements are under the direction of the family-owned Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, Santa Paula.”
