Oma Vincent

Oma Vincent was born Oma Lee Momsen on August 2, 1932, in Healdsburg, and passed away on October 6, 2021, in Eureka. Her parents were Julius Arthur Momsen and Etta Mae Fraser. At a very young age her parents divorced and both remarried. With these marriages, Oma was blessed with four half-siblings. Oma grew up with her mother and her husband Wayne Carey, Sr., a man who loved and treated Oma as his own.

Oma was a proud Arcata High School graduate, class of 1950. Go Tigers!! In August of that same year, she married Robert James Fulton in Reno, Nevada. Bob and Oma moved into their new home in 1952, a home she remained in the rest of her life. Oma and Bob had three children: Robert Lee, Ronald Alan, and Gwen Ann.

When motherhood allowed or finances required, Oma began her career at Bank of America. She worked her entire career of more than 30 years at the Arcata branch and retired in 1987 as an operations officer.

During her career and after retirement, Oma was dedicated to community service. Some of the groups she volunteered with were: BSA as a Cub Scout Den Mother, school PTA, Sequoia Lifeline, the local chapter of Business and Professional Women, Arcata Chamber of Commerce, Redwoods United and an organization that was especially dear to her, the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes provided medical assistance to her young family, and she never forgot their generosity.

After the death of her first husband Bob in 1976, Oma was fortunate to meet and then marry Norman Vincent in 1980. Their 37-year marriage was filled with family, friends, and fun. They enjoyed traveling (by car since Norm hated to fly). They often took trips to Reno. They enjoyed attending Humboldt State University football games, many years as season ticket holders, and might occasionally be found at Everett’s Club on the Plaza enjoying good cocktails and great friends.

In addition to Norm and her kids, Oma loved gambling, jigsaw and word search puzzles, and needlepoint. Oma created pieces of art with needle and thread. And her greatest love of all…Frank Sinatra! After retirement Oma traveled with friends to China and Mexico. She also made a pilgrimage with her sister Pat to her mother’s home state of Missouri. She and Norm also took numerous road trips around the western states.

Pre-COVID and as long as her health would allow, Oma enjoyed her monthly luncheons with her high school classmates. She had many friends in the group and when she no longer drove, someone was always there to give her a ride. Thank you to her classmates for making that effort to always include her.

Oma was predeceased by husbands Robert J. Fulton and Norman Vincent and stepson Scott Vincent. She is survived by her children: Robert, Ronald (Lorrie), Gwen Dotson, her stepchildren Vicki Shanafelt, Mike Vincent and Shelly Jansen, her siblings Wayne Carey, Jr. (Barbara), John Carey, Patricia Petrusha, and Joan Momsen, her grandchildren Mary Price (Stuart), William Fulton, and two great-grandsons, Garrett and Parker Price.

A private family burial was held October 12, 2021, in Arcata. When COVID allows (PLEASE get your vaccinations!), we will hold a Celebration of Life. For those wishing to make donations in Oma’s memory, please consider the March of Dimes (MarchofDimes.org) of any charity of your choice.

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