Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Ruth Davidson
Volunteer for the blind
Ruth Davidson, a onetime resident of Menlo Park, died at her Santa Cruz home July 20. She was 86.
A native of Westfield, New Jersey, she was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. After marrying rare book dealer Alexander Davidson, the couple moved to New York City, where Mrs. Davidson became studio director of the New York unit of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and later director of the group's headquarters studio.
In 1971 she moved to Palo Alto to become studio director of the Northern California unit of Recording for the Blind. Staff members said her quick wit, charm, and elegant use of the English language endeared her to the 200 volunteers whose work she supervised. During her time as studio director, she lived in Menlo Park for nine years.
After her retirement in 1978, she settled in Santa Cruz. She was a Pink Lady at Dominican Hospital for 11 years, served on the board of directors of the Doran Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, learned Braille, and was a Braille transcriber for the County Office of Education.
At her request, no services were held. Memorial contributions may be made to Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, 488 West Charleston Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
Ione Schindele
Menlo resident for 50 years
Ione Schindele, a Menlo Park resident for 50 years, died on July 19. She was 83.
Born in Stickney, South Dakota, Ms. Schindele attended school in Iowa and later marriage Erwin W. Schindele in Idaho, where he was stationed at the Pocatello Army Air Base.
After moving to Menlo Park, Ms. Schindele worked as an executive secretary for 20 years at the American Hardware Mutual Insurance Company. She retired in 1997, at the same time her husband retired from United Airlines.
Ms. Schindele enjoyed music, travel, and service to her church, family members said.
She is survived by her son, David Schindele and his wife Vicki of Fullerton, California; and three grandsons, Brent, Scott and Todd.
A memorial service was held July 25 at the First Baptist Church of Menlo Park. Arrangements were made by the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Menlo Park Music Fund.
Edes Enomoto
Homemaker
A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 5, for Edes Enomoto, who died in her Atherton home July 27 after a brief illness. She was 83.
A longtime Atherton resident, she is survived by her children, Janice Matsumura, Ronald Enomoto, Karen Sugiyama, and Cindy Chandler; siblings Sachi Masuyama and Tosh Nakashima; and 10 grandchildren. Her husband, William Enomoto, and a grandchild, Katherine Chandler, preceded her in death.
The service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple, 2751 Louis Road, in Palo Alto. Arrangements were made by Roller, Hapgood & Tinney.
John R. Heaphy
Media veteran
John R. Heaphy died September 17. He was 62.
Mr. Heaphy was born in Palo Alto and raised in Menlo Park. He attended St. Joseph's Grammar School, Bellarmine College Preparatory and Santa Clara University.
Mr. Heaphy served in the Army overseas where he met and marriage his former wife, Pia Heaphy. After military service, Mr. Heaphy worked in radio, television and advertising. He also spent the last seven years as a teacher, department director and communication director for the Academy of Arts College in San Francisco.
His quick wit and great sense of humor will be missed by all, family members said.
Mr. Heaphy is survived by two children, John A. and Nicolette Heaphy; a sister Jean Woolslayer and brother-in-law Gary Woolslayer of Kennewick, Washington; nieces Katie and Megan Woolslayer. Mr. Heaphy was also a dear friend to Rooney Blach and her family.
A funeral Mass was held at Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, followed by a Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park. Contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
Harold Earl Hoss
Firefighter
Harold Earl Hoss, a 41-year resident of Portola Valley, died September 17 at Sharon Heights Convalescent Hospital. He was 86.
A native of Salem, Oregon, he moved with his family to Menlo Park in 1922. He attended Menlo Park Central Grammar School and Sequoia High School in Redwood City, and graduated from College of San Mateo in 1934.
Mr. Hoss was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Redwood City Aerie #418, the Menlo Park Chapter of AARP, the Menlo Park Historical Society, and Little House. He was a past president of Western World Pet Supply Association.
Family members said his wide-ranging career included a stint working as a biologist for Redmond Scientific, as a firefighter for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, and as owner-operator of Tropic Waters Aquarium in San Carlos. He retired in 1980.
A sports enthusiast, Mr. Hoss also enjoyed reading, music, art, gardening, and woodworking, family members said.
He is survived by his wife, Annie; sisters Clara Campbell of Palo Alto and Ellen Allen of Medford, Oregon; children Gail Ocker of Corpus Christi, Texas, Gary Hoss of Redwood City, Joan Hoss of Grass Valley, and Gregory Hoss of San Jose; and 10 grandchildren. A brother, Melvin Hoss of San Carlos, died in 1997.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 23, at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Episcopal, 815 Portola Road, in Portola Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Pulmonary Rehab Unit through the Sequoia Foundation, Sequoia Hospital, 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA 94062.
Kathryn Loretta Hawkins
Menlo Park native
Kathryn Loretta Hawkins, a native of Menlo Park, died on Septemer 29. She was 84.
Ms. Hawkins was born on November 10, 1914, and was the widow of William E. Hawkins.
A memorial Mass was celebrated on October 7 at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park. Donations are preferred and can be made to the Kathryn Hawkins Scholarship Fund, San Jose High Academy, 275 North 24th St., San Jose, CA 95116.
Frederic S. Glazener
Emeritus Stanford professor
Frederic S. Glazener, clinical professor emeritus of medicine at the Stanford University Medical School as well as the University of California School of Medicine, died September 25 after a long struggle with cancer. He was 76.
Dr. Glazener and his wife, Jean Herring Glazener, have lived in Menlo Park for the past 42 years. At his request, no funeral services are planned. A memorial service is not planned at this time.
Born in Ellerbee, North Carolna, Dr. Glazener received his medial degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. With his internship and residency at Walter Reed Hospital, he began a long career, encompassing private practice, research and teaching.
He served on active duty with the Army Medical Corps in London. In 1957, he joined the Veterans Administration, serving in various hospitals, including Palo Alto. He was an attending physician at University of California Medical Center clinics in San Franciso.
After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center in clinical pharmacology, Dr. Glazener was named medical director of the Bloomfield Service at Stanford University Hospital. He was with the Redwood Medical Clinic in Redwood City as an internist and clinical pharmacologist from 1983 to 1989. Earlier this year, he retired as medical director of the state's Industrial Medical Council.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean Herring Glazener; son, Thomas Alan Glazener; and two brothers, Edward of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Bruce of Sarasota, Florida.
Hal Tryon Morris
USGS geologist
Services are scheduled for Thursday, October 21, for Hal Tryon Morris, a former geologist with the USGS in Menlo Park, who died of cancer October 17 at his Menlo Park home. He was 78.
A native of Salt Lake City, Mr. Morris received his bachelor's and master's degrees in geology from the University of Utah. Although he was discharged from the Marine Corps because of severe allergies, he was later called up in the military draft during World War II, serving in the Chemical Warfare Service in the United States and in the South Pacific.
Mr. Morris began his career with the USGS in 1947, retiring in 1986. During his career, he received the Meritorious Service Award from the Department of the Interior.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Mr. Morris is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth (Libbie); his sons, Dan of San Jose and Mark of Livermore; a daughter, Kay M. Loveless of Utah; a brother, Edward Morris of Colorado; 11 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandson.
The service will be at 11 a.m. in the Menlo Park First Ward Chapel, 1105 Valparaiso. Friends may call one hour prior to the service for a viewing. Burial will be in Utah.
Mary M. Giovanzana
Longtime resident of Menlo Park
Mary M. Giovanzana, a Menlo Park resident for 46 years, died October 8. She was 73.
A native of South San Francisco, Mrs. Giovanzana moved to Menlo Park shortly after she marriage John L. Giovanzana. She became a member of ICF #351 of Menlo Park and the Piemontesi Nel Mondo Club.
Friends and family say they remember Mrs. Giovanzana for her excellent cooking, but most of all for her devotion to her husband, children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband; her children, Mark Giovanzana and Linda Giovanzana Solbeck; and four grandchildren.
Arrangements were directed by Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries. Mrs. Giovanzana was entombed at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto.
Walter Francis Skees
Singer
Walter Francis Skees, a singer who provided entertainment in the White House for 28 years, died October 23 in Carmel at age 64.
A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Skees lived in Atherton for the past 15 years.
Mr. Skees' career as official White House singer spanned seven administrations -- from Eisenhower through Reagan, according to his friend, Nan Chapman, mayor of Atherton. During his tenure with the government, which included performances for State Department, embassy, and Diplomatic Corps functions, Mr. Skees performed live for millions of people, Mrs. Chapman said.
He also appeared regularly on the television shows of such entertainers as Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Dinah Shore and Merv Griffin, and recorded several albums, she said.
Mr. Skees is survived by his wife, Patricia Skees; his children, Walter Skees Jr., Melanie Harrison, Laurie Kightlinger, Christopher Skees and Kelly Katz; step-children Sherry O'Donnell, Mark Balestra and Katie Walter; and 13 grandchildren.
Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery.
William 'Bill' Neylan
Menlo businessman
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 28, for William F. "Bill" Neylan, who died October 24.
Mr. Neylan was a partner in the Menlo Park advertising agency Wank, Williams and Neylan, for more than 25 years.
Services will be held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 473 Lincoln Ave., in Los Altos.
Lorraine Tietzen
Southern Pacific employee
A memorial service was to be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 26, at Redwood Chapel, 847 Woodside Road, Redwood City, for Lorraine A. Tietzen of Menlo Park who died October 20. She was 78.
Mrs. Tietzen was honored as a 55-year employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad. An active member of the Order of the Easter Star, chapter 213, for 50 years, she also enjoyed traveling with her good friend Betty Wirth.
Mrs. Tietzen was the widow of Homer Tietzen. She is survived by a brother, Henry Arneson, of Excelsior, Minnesota; niece Jill Krantz, and nephew James Arneson.
Private Interment will take place at Golden Gate National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, #100, Burlingame, California, 94010-1311.
Dr. Evelyn Schilling Thomas
Teacher, Stanford alumna
Dr. Evelyn Schilling Thomas died October 7 after a long illness. She was 83.
Dr. Thomas was a resident of Portola Valley before moving to Sharon Heights near the end of her life. She studied at Stanford, became involved with music, and served four years on the California Youth Authority Board. She worked as a teacher, counselor and interpersonal-relationships facilitator in Bakersfield, at Stanford, at San Francisco State University, and at New College.
Family members say she found deep satisfaction and fulfillment with her husband of 36 years, Dr. Lawrence G. Thomas, a professor of educational philosophy at Stanford.
Arrangements were directed by Roller, Hapgood & Tinney in Palo Alto.
Crystal 'Alyne' Roderick Nonnemacher
Portola Valley resident
Crystal "Alyne" Roderick Nonnemacher, a Portola Valley resident, died October 3 at the age of 72.
Born in Eagle River, Wisconsin, Mrs. Nonnemacher attended school in Eagle River and graduated from Milwaukee Business College. She marriage Maynard Nonnemacher in 1951 and moved to California the next year.
Family and friends say they will remember Mrs. Nonnemacher as "a bubbly and vivacious character."
She is survived by her husband, Maynard; a daughter, Kimberly; and a grandson, Eric Berlin. She is also survived by two sisters, Margaret Brown of Sunnyvale and Thelma Wilber of Milpitas; and two brothers, John Roderick of Sunnyvale and Tom Roderick of Santa Clara.
Memorial services were held October 6 at the First Congregational Church in Redwood City. Memorial donations may be sent to the American Lung Association or to the First Congregational Church, 2323 Euclid Ave., Redwood City, CA 94061.
Miriam Kotin
Co-owner, Paper Chase
Miriam Kotin, co-owner of the Paper Chase in downtown Menlo Park for more than 20 years, died Sunday, October 17. She was 76.
Mrs. Kotin co-owned the Paper Chase with her sister Isabelle Leon.
She is survived by her husband Bertram; daughters Stephanie Tebbutt, Lisa Kotin and Gwen Watson; son Geoffrey; and six grandchildren.
Contributions may be made in her name to George Mark Children's House, Hospice for Children, 220 Sansome St., Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94104.
George Lawrence Steinhardt
Woodside-born entrepreneur
Retired business owner and entrepreneur George Lawrence Steinhardt died in Santa Clara on October 15.
Mr. Steinhardt was born in Woodside to the late Lawrence J. and Mildred W. Steinhardt of Woodside.
A longtime member of the Palo Alto Elks Club, he will be remembered for helping people and for having a sense of adventure, family members said.
Mr. Steinhardt is survived by his wife, Julia S. Steinhardt; daughters Deborah Steinhardt-Alloro, Mindy Steinhardt of Palo Alto, and Gigi Williams of Menlo Park; son Larry Steinhardt of Fairfax, Calif.; sister Virginia S. Buckmaster of Chula Vista, Calif.; and grandchildren Chris, Talia, Christine, Michael and Somone.
A memorial service was held on October 22 at the Chapel of John O'Connor's Menlo Colonial Chapel in Menlo Park.
