Joyce Van Ornam
Christine H. Rangsit-Cameron
Mrs. Christine H. Rangsit-Cameron of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away Aug. 8, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. She was born Aug. 14, 1934, in Mostaganem, Algeria, to Armand Clerc and Andree Clerc.
She spent most of her youth in the village of Chaufour-Les-Bonnieres in the Normandy region of France. After high school she moved to Paris to pursue an acting career. While there, she competed in the Miss Cinemonde contest of 1952, finishing 2nd. While in Paris, she also attended cosmetology school.
Shortly after this, she met and married her first husband Prince Sanidh Rangsit of the Thai Royal Family. They were married for 40 years and lived in Bangkok and Paris, before his passing. She subsequently moved to Tucson to be close to her daughter Valaya. There she met and married Richard L. Cameron, Major USAF (ret.). They were married for 28 years and spent many happy moments with their extended family.
Christine received her Graduate Gemologist Certificate from the Gemological Institute of America in 1983. She became a naturalized American citizen in 2004. She spoke three languages—French, Thai, and English—and played the piano with grace and style. Christine had a great passion for cooking and travel.
She is survived by her husband Richard, her daughters Valaya (Brian) and Lynda (Steve), and her sons Bryan (Jan) and David (Tammie). She is also survived by nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A memorial was held on Aug. 28, 2024, at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, Ariz.
Christine H. Rangsit-Cameron
Joyce Van Ornam
Joyce Elaine (Thompson) Van Ornam was born on Nov. 11, 1937, the fourth daughter of Fred Ford and Mary Edith Thompson in Dover, Del. She passed away on July 19, 2024.
She was predeceased by her parents, three sisters (Elizabeth Reed, Lillian Hopkins, and Margaret Harlow), a son Mark William Swanson, and husbands Colonel (Retired) Thomas Swanson and William Van Ornam.
Her survivors are son Eric Swanson of Peoria, Ariz., and grandson Thomas Swanson and four great-grandchildren (Faith, Tommy, Micah, and Alice Swanson) of Argyle, Minn.
Joyce grew up in Dover, Del., and graduated from high school there. She earned a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa. Advanced degrees were a master’s plus 50 in Counseling from Troy State University in Montgomery, Ala., and a master’s in School Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz.
A memorial service will be planned at a later time.