Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Cleo Standlee
Longtime Menlo Park resident
Cleo Standlee, a resident of Menlo Park for 50 years, died January 27 in Lafayette, California.
She was born in Glendive, Montana, and as a child moved to Camas, Washington. She later moved to Laguna Beach, California, where she met her future husband, Norm Standlee, a member of the San Francisco 49ers football team. They lived in San Francisco and then moved to Menlo Park with their two daughters. Mrs. Standlee moved to the East Bay last year.
Mrs. Standlee was an avid gardener blessed with "a green thumb," say family members. She was a member of the Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary to the Children's Hospital and, when her daughters were young, was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader.
She worked for many years at Franes gift shop in Menlo Park and at the Wick Candle Shop at the Allied Arts Guild.
"Blessed with an indominable spirit, she will be missed by many," said her daughter Susan Crane.
Mrs. Standlee is survived by her daughters, Shirley Standlee Moore of Orinda and Susan Standlee Crane of Palo Alto, and her grandchildren, Meredith Moore and Duncan Moore of Orinda and Ellen Crane of Palo Alto.
A service celebrating her life will be held at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, with a reception immediately following at the home of her friend Helen Dallmar of Menlo Park.
The family prefers donations to the Alzheimer's Association or the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.
Bernard Brawner
Swimming pool company owner
Bernard Brawner of Menlo Park died January 20 at the age of 78. The cause of death was a heart attack.
A native of Clinton, Missouri, Mr. Brawner served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and the Korean War.
He moved to California 50 years ago, working in the swimming pool construction industry. A former executive of Anthony Pools, he founded the Brawner Pool Co. in San Jose in 1970.
An avid golfer, Mr. Brawner was a former member of Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, where he was club champion in 1963. Most recently, he was a member of Sharon Heights Country Club in Menlo Park.
Mr. Brawner is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Peterson-Brawner of Menlo Park; a daughter, Bridget Healy of Palm Beach, Florida; and a brother, Thomas Brawner of Dallas.
Private services were under the direction of Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
The family prefers that memorial donations be may to the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304.
Gary Lawrence Neil
Pharmaceutical researcher
A memorial service for Gary Lawrence Neil of Menlo Park, who died February 9, is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 15, at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave.
Mr. Neil was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, and received his doctorate in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1966. He spent his professional life engaged in pharmaceutical research and development. Among other firms, he worked for the Therapeutic Discovery Corp. in Palo Alto, and became the president and chief executive officer of Crescendo Pharmaceuticals in Mountain View.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly, whom he marriage in 1962; his daughter, Nadine Fabish; his son, Michael Neil; and his grandson, Tyler Fabish. He is also survived by his mother, Barbara Neil; his sisters, Shirley Mennel and Nancy Neil; and his brothers, Doug and Robert Neil.
Mr. Neil's family said he believed a person achieved success by living well, laughing often and loving much, and that he was successful in all these endeavors.
He enjoyed the water, and spent much of his personal time sailing, windsurfing and water skiing. His pleasure in taking vacations around the world with his family was surpassed only by his love of being a grandfather, family members said.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the National Brain Tumor Foundation, 414 13th St., Suite 700, Oakland, CA 94612-2603 (www.braintumor.org), or to Stanford Hospice, 300 Pasteur Drive, Mail Code 5520, Stanford, CA 94305.
Charlotte Shearer
Community volunteer
Charlotte Shearer, who lived in Menlo Park for 30 years, died January 31 at Doctors' Hospital in Modesto. She was 85.
Mrs. Shearer was born in Iron River, Michigan. In 1933 she was marriage to Lorne F. Van Sickle and lived in Detroit, where two daughters were born. In 1948 the family moved to Los Angeles, where a third daughter was born.
In 1960, following the death of Mr. Van Sickle, Charlotte marriage James Shearer. The couple moved to Menlo Park, where Mrs. Shearer lived for 30 years. Mr. Shearer died in 1994.
Mrs. Shearer volunteered at the Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Menlo Park for more than 20 years, as well as at Sequoia Hospital and Stanford Medical Center. She enjoyed entertaining and was a fabulous cook and baker, says her family.
She also worked from time to time in the women's garment industry, creating couturier apparel, and enjoyed sewing for her daughters. While living in Menlo Park, she walked around the lake at Sharon Heights Park nearly every day with friends.
Last November Mrs. Shearer moved to Angels Camp to live with her daughter, Patricia.
Mrs. Shearer is survived by daughters Kay White of Susanville, Patricia Hudson of Angels Camp, and Suzanne Van Sickle Gilletly of San Mateo; three grandsons; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held February 10 at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.
Caroline La Barbera
Atherton resident
Caroline La Barbera, who was marriage to her husband, John, for 77 years, died February 5 at age 94.
Caroline and John La Barbera eloped from San Francisco to Portland, Oregon, when both were just 17, and attended business school. Mrs. La Barbera became a buyer of infants' and children's wear for many years and, later, worked in the purchasing department of Southern Pacific Railroad.
In 1956 the couple took early retirement and moved from San Francisco to San Carlos. Five years ago they moved to Atherton to live in the spacious in-law unit of their only child, Marie Zahn, and her husband, Dene, built for them at their home.
The La Barberas celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary with a black-tie dinner dance for 125 at Sharon Heights Country Club. The Zahns put on parties for her parents every five years, starting with their 50th wedding anniversary.
The La Barberas loved to travel, visiting Mexico, Europe, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, with many trips to Hawaii.
Mrs. La Barbera is survived by her husband, John Sebastian La Barbera; daughter, Marie Zahn, and her husband, Dene; grandchildren Lynne Meyer of Morgan Hill and Timothy Cookston of Santa Rosa; and one great-granddaughter.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park on February 8, with Interment at Italian Cemetery in Colma.
Barbara Helms
Music teacher
Barbara V. Helms of Menlo Park, a music teacher in the Millbrae school district for 19 years, died February 3 at age 85.
Mrs. Helms was born in Berkeley. She was a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and attended Columbia University and the Juilliard School of Music.
After a brief professional career as a concert violinist, Mrs. Helms returned to California to become a music teacher in Leggett Valley, Napa, Burlingame and Millbrae. She was also first violinist for the Peninsula Symphony.
Mrs. Helms, a member of the Sierra Club, had a great love for the High Sierra and Yosemite National Park, where she and her husband first met, say family members. She and her husband, Bill, traveled extensively, visiting 32 countries and six continents, taking countless photographs along the way.
Mrs. Helms was also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity and the American Association of University Women.
Mrs. Helms is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bill; sons Robert of Santa Barbara, Richard of Huntsville, Arkansas, and Gary of Ashburn, Virginia; and three granddaughters.
Services were held February 7 at Spangler Mortuary, Menlo Park.
Joy Dutcher
County social worker
Joy Nina Dutcher of Menlo Park, a Santa Clara County social worker, died unexpectedly on February 4 at Stanford Medical Center following a brief illness. She was 72.
Ms. Dutcher, a native of Carlsbad, lived in Menlo Park for nearly 30 years. She was a graduate of Los Angeles State College and received her master's degree in social work from University of Southern California.
She was a social worker for Santa Clara County child welfare services from 1979 to 1989. In recent years she provided social services in conjunction with the juvenile court. She was also a social worker in the pediatric oncology program at Stanford University.
Ms. Dutcher's many interests included her pet cats, her fine doll collection, indigenous art and artifacts, say family members.
Ms. Dutcher is survived by her brother, Franklin Dutcher, and sister-in-law, Joyce, of Amity, Oregon; as well as an uncle and cousins.
A memorial service was held February 8 in Walnut Creek, with Burial in San Bernardino.
Memorials may be made in Ms. Dutcher's name to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto 94304.
Robert Maxwell
IBM executive
Robert M. Maxwell, 81, of Menlo Park died January 28 in Ralston Village of Belmont after a short illness.
Mr. Maxwell was born in Oak Park, Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois.
The day after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Navy's personnel and accounting department throughout World War II. Shortly after his discharge, he was employed by IBM as a sales trainee, and spent the following 38 years either in direct sales or developing sales programs for new products. He was assigned to six cities, from New York to California, the last being Menlo Park in 1974.
He retired from IBM in 1984. Mr. Maxwell's father, Paul, and brother, William, were also employed by IBM. The three of them amassed 103 years with the company over a 60-year period.
In 1950 Mr. Maxwell was called to active duty in the Korean War, serving at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on a project to computerize and coordinate all Naval supplies and equipment.
Throughout his life, Mr. Maxwell had a passion for fishing, say family members. He especially liked salmon fishing and, at least once a week, was off to Sausalito to board a favorite party boat. He also enjoyed giving his catch away to friends and neighbors.
Mr. Maxwell is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marjorie, whom he met when their families were neighbors in Oak Park, Illinois; a son, Thomas, of Oak Park; a sister, Elaine Olstead of Royal Oak, Michigan; a brother, William, of Willowbrook, Illinois; and one granddaughter.
The family prefers memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, research fund, 2065 West El Camino Real, suite C, Mountain View 94040.
Robert Maxwell
Memorial service this Friday
A memorial service for Robert Maxwell, a longtime Menlo Park resident, is set for Friday, February 23, at noon, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 Portola Road, in Portola Valley.
Mr. Maxwell died January 28 after a short illness.
Betty Steigerwald
Native of Hawaii
Betty Jane Steigerwald, a former Atherton resident, died February 3 in Poway, California, after a nine-month battle with myelofibrosis, according to her daughter Patricia Elkus.
Mrs. Steigerwald was born and raised on the island of Oahu. Leaving Hawaii for the Mainland, she attended the University of Washington. Her career as an executive secretary took her overseas to Europe, where she met her future husband, Hermann Steigerwald.
Mrs. Steigerwald returned to the United States, where she became office manager for Van Waters and Rogers Scientific in Brisbane. Moving to Atherton in 1970, she continued working and enjoying many hobbies, including gardening, dancing and travel. She was an active member of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir.
Five years ago Mrs. Steigerwald moved to Poway to be with her daughter.
Mrs. Steigerwald is survived by her daughter, Patricia, and son-in-law, Richard M. Elkus, of Poway; sister Theone Allen of Michigan and Hawaii; former husband, Hermann E. Steigerwald of Jacksonville, Oregon; nephew Richard Lechleitner of Pacifica; and two grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the San Diego Hospice, 4311 Third Ave., San Diego 92103-1407; or the San Diego Blood Bank Foundation, 440 Upas Street, San Diego 92103-4900.
Theodore Bekins
Yachtsman
Theodore Austin Bekins, 73, died at his home in Portola Valley on January 17 of complications from cancer.
Mr. Bekins was an adventurer, avid yachtsman, ham radio operator and blue water sailor, says his family. He spent 15 years sailing in the South Pacific and Pacific Northwest aboard his 54-foot motor-sailer, Integrity.
Mr. Bekins grew up in Hillsborough, attended Stanford University and served in the U.S. Navy. He worked with his family's company, Bekins Van and Storage, in Los Angeles. He was a member of the St. Francis and Hawaii Yacht Clubs.
Mr. Bekins is survived by his wife, Joan Nobs Bekins of Portola Valley; sons Reed Bekins of Davis and Russell Bekins of Bologna, Italy; daughters Christina Bekins of Calistoga and Dr. Barbara Bekins of Menlo Park; brother Donald Bekins of Belvedere; sister Janet Martic of Hillsborough; and two grandchildren.
Mr. Bekins ashes will be scattered at sea.
John Hanbery
Speech pathologist
John Gordon Hanbery of San Francisco, who lived in Atherton for 20 years, died February 12 at Davies Hospital in San Francisco. He was 49.
Mr. Hanbery was a graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School and Stanford University. He was a speech pathologist at Davies Hospital, an accomplished photographer, and world traveler. His family recalls his "keen mind, gratifying wit and great love for his family."
Mr. Hanbery is survived by his partner of 17 years, Frank Morris; sisters Carol MacKay of Austin, Texas, Janet MacKenzie of Atherton, and Lynn Fuller of Albany; and five nieces and nephews. He was the son of the late Shirley and John Hanbery of Atherton.
The family expresses its gratitude to Dr. Philip O'Keefe, Mr. Hanbery's physician and friend, and the staff at Davies Hospital.
Private services were held. A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Hanbery's name to Canine Companions for Independence, 707-577-1700.
Peggy Gale
Retired Stanford law school employee
A memorial service for Peggy Gale will be held Tuesday, February 20, at noon at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park.
Mrs. Gale died at Stanford Hospital on February 12 at the age of 75.
A native of Burma, she was a resident of Menlo Park and Palo Alto since 1965. She was a retired employee of Stanford University's school of law and is remembered as a wonderful cook, according to family members.
She is survived by her son, Kyaw, and his wife, Myitzd Myat; her siblings, Daisy, Jackie and Sheila; and one grandson.
The family prefers that memorial donations be sent to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by John O'Connor's Menlo Colonial Chapel.
Gary T. Walker
Prominent trial attorney
Gary T. Walker of Atherton, a trial attorney prominent both locally and nationally, collapsed and died unexpectedly February 22. He was 58.
A memorial service will be held at Stanford Memorial Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 28.
In over 30 years of legal practice, Mr. Walker tried numerous high-profile product liability cases. Among his clients were Airtouch Communications, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Toyota, Porsche and Ford.
Mr. Walker graduated from Stanford University in 1964 with a degree in political science. After serving as an U.S. Army Infantry officer in Korea, he obtained his law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1969.
Also in 1969, he marriage Celia Ann Kimes, and they moved to Atherton in 1979. They have a daughter, Nicole, who lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and a son, Travis, a senior at Menlo-Atherton High School.
Mr. Walker joined the San Francisco law firm of Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon in 1969, becoming a partner in 1977. He served as the firm's managing partner for several years before helping to found the San Francisco law firm of Preuss & Walker in 1993. In mid-2000 Mr. Walker joined the San Jose office of Bowman and Brooke, a national legal firm.
Besides his wife and their children, Mr. Walker is survived by his father, Frederic H.L. Walker, and his brother, Frederik L. Walker, both of Southern California; a sister, Elaine Moore of Los Altos; and six nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorial donations be made to a charity of the donor's choice or to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
