Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Elizabeth Hone
Emeritus professor of education
Elizabeth "Betty" Hone of Portola Valley died May 7 at the Sequoias retirement community, where she had lived for many years. She was 95.
Ms. Hone grew up in Lyons Falls, New York, and graduated from Wellesley College in 1931 with a major in botany. She taught in elementary schools in New York City and Lyons Falls and earned a master's degree in elementary science education from Columbia University.
During World War II, she served as a Wave in the U.S. Navy. After the war, she taught in elementary schools in suburban Los Angeles.
In 1948 she joined the faculty of the Los Angeles State College for Applied Arts and Sciences, now known as California State University, Northridge, as a professor of elementary science education.
She was awarded a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California in 1959. Ms. Hone retired in 1972 after teaching hundreds of aspiring teachers.
She was the author of "A Sourcebook for Elementary Science" and co-author of the textbook series, "Concepts in Science," used in public schools around the country. At the request of the series publisher, she led many workshops for teachers on the use of the textbook series.
After retiring, Ms. Hone wrote articles for natural history magazines. She served for many years as a volunteer and supervisor of The Sequoias' flower garden, say family members.
She is survived by her sister, Hester Hone Hitzrot of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts; seven nieces and nephews, including Frederic Nichols of Palo Alto; and many grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Private family services were held. Contributions in her name may be made to her favorite nature education program for children, the Trust for Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.
Kenneth B. Sorensen
Menlo police lieutenant
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, for Kenneth Sorensen, who died May 12 in Carson City, Nevada. He was 66.
In 1991, he retired as a lieutenant after 31 years of service with the Menlo Park Police Department.
The service will be held at 1 p.m. at FitzHenry's Funeral Home, 833 N. Edmonds Drive in Carson City, Nevada. An obituary will appear in the next issue of the Almanac.
Wilbur E. Mattison III
Menlo-Atherton graduate
Wilbur E. Mattison III died May 9 at his home in San Jose after a three-year struggle with lymphoma. He was 48.
Mr. Mattison was one of a small group of students who were the inspiration for the Charles Armstrong School, which was founded by his father, Dr. Wilbur E. Mattison Jr., according to family members.
Mr. Mattison graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School and worked as a driver in the trucking industry.
He is survived by his wife, Kristy; his children, Sean, Brandon, Lenae, and Natalia; father Dr. Wilbur E. Mattison Jr. of Cupertino; and sister Patricia O'Dell of Gooding, Idaho. His mother, Patricia Mattison, died in 1999.
Memorial donations may be made to the Charles Armstrong School, 1405 Solana Drive, Belmont, CA 94002; or to a favorite charity.
Harriet Swinbank
Charter member of Menertons
Harriet Bowers Swinbank, a former resident of Menlo Park, died May 5 in Boise, Idaho. She was 86.
Ms. Swinbank lived in Menlo Park for 44 years, moving to Boise in 1999 to be closer to family.
A native of Mellen, Wisconsin, Ms. Swinbank attended Wasau Business Institute in Wasau, Wisconsin, and served as a Red Cross nurses' aide during World War II.
While living in Menlo Park, she worked as a physician's assistant at the School of Medicine, Stanford University. She was life member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a charter member of the Menertons, a women's organization composed of Menlo Park and Atherton residents.
Ms. Swinbank is survived by her daughters, Kathy Laurie of Santa Rosa and Nancy Biladeau of Boise, Idaho; and six grandchildren. Her husband, Fred, died in 1996.
Mary Myser
Former Portola Valley resident
Mary Scott Hickenlooper Myser died May 9 at the Starr Farm Nursing Center in Burlington, Vermont, where she had been a resident for several years. She was 89.
Ms. Myser and her husband, Andrew, lived in Portola Valley during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and were active in community affairs. Ms. Myser served as president of the local school board and PTA, according to family members.
Ms. Myser was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to Hollywood, California, as a young girl. She attended Occidental College and graduated from UCLA. She witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor and, later, served briefly in the armed forces. Her photo and biography are on display at the new Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C.
In 1965 the Myser family moved to Friday Harbor, Washington, where, at one point, she served as chief of the Friday Island volunteer fire department.
Ms. Myser moved to Burlington, Vermont, in 1998 to be near her daughter, Sally Wadhams, and only grandchild, Sam Wadhams.
She is survived by her son, Mark Myser of Seattle, Washington; daughter Sally Wadhams of Shelburne, Vermont; a grandson; and nieces and nephews. Her husband, Andy, died in 1995. A son, Paul, died in 2002.
Memorials may be made to San Juan Island Library, 1010 Guard Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
Barbara Britton Chicas
Longtime Stanford employee
Barbara Britton Chicas of Menlo Park died May 6 at Stanford Medical Center with her family by her side. She was 68.
Born in San Jose, she grew up in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. She graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 1954.
For 30 years, she worked as an accountant in the comptroller's office at Stanford University, retiring in 1999. She was a regular blood bank donor.
She is survived by her husband, Edgar Chicas of Menlo Park; her daughters, Christina McNern of San Jose and Cynthia Meadows of Oregon; sisters Linda McDonald and Elizabeth Broeker of Arizona; and three grandchildren.
Private services were held. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Anne Estacaille
Native of Portola Valley
Anne K. Estacaille, a member of a pioneer Portola Valley family who lived her entire life in the valley until suffering a stroke two years ago, died April 3. She was 88.
At the time of her death she was living at Sharon Heights Care and Rehab, where she had previously served as a volunteer for 22 years. The three most important things in her life were her family, friends, and Catholic faith, say family members.
Ms. Estacaille is survived by her daughter, Joan Madden of Portola Valley; two granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren. Her husband, Jack, died in 1982.
Private services have been held with Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel in charge of arrangements. The family prefers donations to a favorite charity.
Edna Rose Fehring
Executive secretary
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 23, for Edna Rose Suverkrup Fehring, who died March 28. A longtime Menlo Park resident, she was 92.
The service will start at 2 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Ave. in Menlo Park.
Ms. Fehring was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, and served as the church's executive secretary for 11 years.
She attended Indiana University, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress, and was known as a gracious hostess, say family members.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, William P. "Dutch" Fehring; daughters Susan Hanson, Ann Fehring Larkin and Carol Irvin; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The family prefers donations be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025; Pathways Home Care and Hospice, 585 North Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085; or Partners in Caring, Stanford Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305.
Frank M. Chandler
Auto mechanic
Frank M. Chandler, who built his own racing cars in his younger years, died April 5 at his home in Menlo Park. Mr. Chandler, a resident of Menlo Park since 1961, was 77.
Born in Oakland, he served in the U.S. Marine Corp in the Korean war.
A retired auto mechanic, he was an active volunteer in the St. Vincent De Paul Society Nativity Conference. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus No. 2677 of Palo Alto, the Highland Touring Club and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peg) of Menlo Park; son Robert Chandler of Indianapolis; one grandson; and numerous cousins.
A funeral Mass was held April 8 at Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, where he was a longtime member. The family prefers donations to the St. Vincent De Paul Society Nativity Conference, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Geraldine Churchill
Retired real estate agent
Geraldine M. Churchill of Menlo Park, who was in real estate for 16 years with Pantano Realty in Menlo Park, died April 2 in Millbrae.
A native of Wabasha, Minnesota, Ms. Churchill was a member of St. Raymond Catholic Church. She also belonged to the church's Legion of Mary.
Ms. Churchill is survived by her twin brother, Howard Churchill of San Carlos, younger brother Donald Churchill of Minneapolis, and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held April 7 at St. Raymond Church. Donations in Ms. Churchill's memory may be made to the Parkinson's Institute, 1170 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Arrangements were under the direction of Menlo Colonial Chapel.
Nancy Starr Hackler
Longtime Menlo Park resident
Nancy Louise Starr Hackler, who lived in Menlo Park for most of her life before moving to Phoenix two years ago, died March 21 in Phoenix. She was 52.
Ms. Hackler was born in Palo Alto and was employed at Lockheed-Martin in Sunnyvale. She is survived by her brother, Tom Starr, of Citrus Heights; and a niece and three nephews.
Services were held April 9 at Menlo Colonial Chapel, Menlo Park.
Barbara Harrington
Former Atherton resident
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the First Congregational Church in Redwood City for Barbara "Bobbie" Bryant Harrington. Ms. Harrington died unexpectedly February 19 at her home in Apple Valley. She was 77.
Ms. Harrington was born in Oak Park, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 1950, and taught in elementary schools in San Francisco, Redwood City and Atherton until 1961. She was marriage to Walter H. Harrington Jr. from 1952 until 1974. In 1979 she moved to Apple Valley and taught special education in the Adelanto School District until retiring in 1999.
Ms. Harrington was known for hosting festive Christmas parties at her homes in Atherton and Apple Valley, say family members. She was also proud of her heritage from the state of Maine, where she spent childhood summers.
Ms. Harrington is survived by her daughters, Stacey Doreen Harrington of Kirkland, Washington, and Sara Duval Harrington of Atherton.
The family prefers that donations be made to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, (866) 346-3228; the Lance Armstrong Foundation (512) 236-8820; or a favorite charity.
The Rev. Renee Riley
Church leader
A memorial service was scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at Stanford Memorial Chapel for the Rev. Renee Riley of Stanford.
She died April 6 from complications resulting from a brain tumor. She was 45.
A native of Santa Maria, she was ordained in June 1986, and served as a minister in the state of Washington; Alberta, Canada; and San Jose. In the summer of 2001, she served as substitute minister at Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley, where she also was a frequent guest speaker.
She is survived by her husband, Ed Riley of Stanford; two sons, David and Noah; a daughter, Hannah; her parents, Al and Marge Gumb of Laguna Beach; and two sisters, Diana Gumb of San Clemente and Pamela Strahle of Maui, Hawaii.
The family prefers that memorials be made to the Renee Riley Scholarship Fund, Whitworth College, 300 W. Hawthorne Road, No. 1903, Spokane, WA 99251.
Georgia Jennings
Longtime Menlo Park resident
Georgia Louise Jennings of Menlo Park died April 8 at age 84. A funeral Mass was set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, at Church of the Nativity, with Burial at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto.
Ms. Jennings was a native of Oklahoma. She enjoyed reading novels, watching sports on television, and taking walks in the park.
She is survived by her children, Mike Jennings, Cathy Batti and Linda Grace, all of Redwood City; her brother, Donald Brown of Oklahoma; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Her husband, Theodore M. Jennings, preceded her in death.
Arrangements were under the direction of Crippen & Flynn Woodside Chapel, Redwood City.
Betty Breisch
Businesswoman
Betty Ferguson Breisch, a resident of Menlo Park for the past two years, died March 28. She was 74.
A service celebrating Ms. Breisch's life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church. 728 W. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale, where she was an active member for almost 30 years. Memorials may be made to the endowment fund at the church.
Before retiring in 2000, Ms. Breisch worked for 18 years in the placement business in Silicon Valley.
Born in San Fernando, she was a graduate of Willamette University.
Ms. Breisch is survived by her daughters, Barbara Moulden of Sherwood Forest, Maryland, and Sue Johnson and Kristi Breisch of Menlo Park; her sister, Barbara Clabaugh of Huntington Beach; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph J. Breisch Jr.
Joan McDonald Welch
Menlo Park resident, philanthropist
Joan McDonald Welch, a Menlo Park resident, died March 27 at age 77.
Ms. Welch was born in Oak Park-River Forest, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree in literature from the University of Illinois and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.
She lived in the Bay Area for 50 years. Along with her late husband, John Moran Welch, a former Exalted Ruler of the Elks in Palo Alto, she was a generous contributor to many charitable, religious and educational institutions, family members said.
Ms. Welch is survived by her brother, George G. McDonald of Atherton; and her sister, Betty C. Sutherland of Dallas.
A private funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Nativity, with arrangements by John O'Connor's Menlo Colonial Chapel.
Jean Lauer
Land Manager at POST
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Ladera Community Church for Jean Lauer, who died March 28 at her home in Menlo Park. She was 31.
Known as Jeanie to her family and friends, she was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and moved as a young child with her family to Ladera near Portola Valley.
She graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 1991 and attended Stanford University, graduating in the class of 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in human biology.
Later she went to Duke University to obtain a master's degree in environmental management.
She then returned to the area to work as land manager at the Menlo Park-based Peninsula Open Space Trust, where she was an integral part of a team focused on bringing permanent protection to open lands in coastal San Mateo County.
She is survived by her parents, Allen and Kathleen Lauer of Portola Valley, and her brother, Donald, who lives with his family in Phoenix.
The Jean Lauer Memorial Land Protection Fund at the Peninsula Open Space Trust has been established in her memory and in recognition of her deep love of nature and her local landscape, family members said.
