Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Mildred Virginia Hearn
Educator and language scholar
Mildred Virginia Hearn, an educator and longtime resident of the Peninsula, died April 21 in Roseville, California. She was 84.
Ms. Hearn earned a degree in political science in 1937 from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was the editor of the school newspaper, the Daily Californian. She received her master's in education and her teaching credential from Stanford University in 1951.
She taught in local schools for 10 years, including the Palo Alto Adult School, then returned to Stanford to earn a second masters degree in Russian. Over the next 25 years, she taught first Russian, then English at both Foothill College and San Jose State University, where she also directed the language lab. She retired in 1991.
Ms. Hearn is survived by her brother, Robert Caldwell of Flagstaff, Arizona; and sons Keith Hearn of Sutter Creek, California and Jerry Hearn of Portola Valley.
At her request, no services were held. Donations may be made to any Alzheimer's association.
Marie Pickens Holden
Former Fair Oaks resident
Marie Pickens Holden, who lived on Fair Oaks Avenue in Menlo Park from 1946 to 1998, died at her Napa home on April 30.
Born in 1919 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, she worked for AT & T and Pacific Telephone for 28 years. Ms. Holden spent 21 of those years as an operator and supervisor, later working as a graphic artist and drafter. In 1938, she marriage Earl Henry Holden, who died in 1977.
She moved to Battleground, Washington, in 1998 to live in an apartment her son, Bob, and his wife, Diane, built. After Bob died in January 1999, Mrs. Holden moved to Napa to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Al Lilleberg.
Family members say she had great talent and interest in the arts, including painting, drawing, writing, needlework, knitting, crocheting, designing clothes and tailoring.
Mrs. Holden is survived by the Lillebergs; two grandsons; three sisters, Betty Kroger, Rosalie Williams, and Doris Starkey; two grandsons; and several great-grandchildren.
A service was held in Napa on May 5. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Napa Valley or the charity of the donor's choice. For further information, the Lillebergs may be reached at (707) 255-3087.
David Regnery
An original Westridge resident
David Cook Regnery, who, with his wife, Dorothy, was one of the original residents of Westridge in Portola Valley, died May 9 after a cardiac arrest.
Born in Illinois in 1918, Dr. Regnery moved to San Diego County with his family as a child. He graduated from Stanford University as a biochemistry major in 1941. After taking part in the Woods Hole Marine Biology program in the summer of 1941, he began his graduate studies in biology at Stanford. His studies were interrupted when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a corpsman-epidemiologist until 1946.
After completing graduate work at Stanford he moved to Cal Tech where he received his doctorate in 1947. Dr. Regnery's 41-year career with the Stanford Biology Department began after completing his doctoral. degree. He taught introductory biology classes for more than 20 years. He also taught upper-division courses in eukaryotic genetics and the ecology of disease. Many of his research studies used Jasper Ridge Biologic Preserve as a study site.
Dr. Regnery spent a sabbatical year in 1962-1963 at the Australian National University, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Canberra, Australia. Dr. Regnery's career as a member of the Stanford faculty was notable for his genuine commitment to excellence in teaching and the number of students he inspired, say family members.
A resident of Portola Valley for 50 years, Dr. Regnery was a member of the Portola Valley School District's board of trustees during the district's period of rapid growth in the 1950s.
Dr. Regnery is survived by his children: Richard of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Russell of Tucker, Georgia, and Roberta of Jacksonport, Wisconsin; a brother, Rolland, of Los Altos; a sister, Ruth Paine, of Pomona; and two grandchildren. His wife, Dorothy, a well-known regional historian, died in 1990.
At Dr. Regnery's request, no public service is planned. Donations in his name may be made to the Peninsula Open Space Trust, 3000 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park 94025.
Maryadele Burke Colville
Ski patrol nurse and community volunteer
A memorial service is planned for Maryadele Burke Colville at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Menlo Park. Ms. Colville died in her sleep after a 13-year struggle with brain cancer, relatives said. She was 48.
Ms. Colville was a native of Cohasset, Massachusetts, and obtained a nursing degree from New England Baptist Hospital. She went on to work in the intensive care units at Massachusetts General Hospital and the hospital at the University of California, San Francisco, family members said. She later worked as a ski patrol nurse on the ski slopes at Killington, Vermont.
Ms. Colville marriage and moved to the Bay Area, residing in Portola Valley with her family for the past nine years. She returned to school at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned a business degree in 1988, relatives said.
She was active in the Portola Valley community, volunteering in the classroom, with Windmill Preschools and with the Portola Valley School Foundation. Ms. Colville was also a communicant at St. Denis Church and enjoyed membership in the Renew group there, relatives said.
Family members said she had an optimistic personality and never let her disease interfere with her life, which included sailing, travel and hockey. She especially enjoyed the San Jose Sharks.
Ms. Colville is survived by her husband James of Portola Valley and daughters Kayley and Alana.
Funeral services will be held at her family home in Cohasset, Massachusetts. Donations may be made in Ms. Colville's name to the National Brain Tumor Foundation, 414 13th St., Oakland, CA 94612-2603.
Vera Wade
Longtime resident of Menlo Park
Vera Wade, a native of Russia who lived for more than 40 years in Menlo Park, died May 9 at Sharon Heights Convalescent home in Menlo Park. She was 90.
Ms. Wade was a homemaker who liked cooking and entertaining and enjoyed helping others, family members said. She was the wife of the late Nicholas Wade and mother of the late Michael Vedensky.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 15, at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin in Menlo Park, with Interment at the Alta Mesa Memorial Park.
Glenn A. Heimsoth
Horseman from Woodside
Glenn A. Heimsoth, horseman and resident of Woodside for nearly 40 years, died May 1 at Sequoia Hospital at the age of 85.
Family members said Mr. Heimsoth made lasting impressions of kindness and friendship on people he met, that he "sparkled with laughter and joy" and lived by the golden rule.
He especially enjoyed his horses and the country living in Woodside, relatives said. His love of horses was reflected by his long membership in the San Mateo County Horsemen's Association and the fact that his barn was one of the largest on a residential property in Woodside.
Mr. Heimsoth's wife, Bettye, died three years ago. He is survived by his sons Charles of Pacifica and Gerald of Woodside; daughter Lynda Walker Backman of Foster City; brother Guy of San Mateo; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his caregiver Maria Castillas.
A memorial service was held May 5. Donations may be made in Mr. Heimsoth's name to the San Mateo County Horsemans' Association in Woodside.
Kathleen Teresa Molteni
Gardener and longtime resident of Menlo Park
Kathleen Teresa Molteni, a resident of Menlo Park for 49 years, died May 3 at the age of 76.
Ms. Molteni was a native of County Cork, Ireland. Relatives said she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed baking and gardening. She was also a sports fan. On June 9, she would have celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary.
Ms. Molteni is survived by her husband Louis; daughters Mary Ann of Belmont, Kathleen L. Samut of Redwood Shores, Sheila Ann Barrett of Menlo Park and Teresa Ann of Reno, Nevada; sons John of Redwood Shores and Louis of Sacramento; sisters Bridget of Boston, Julie Anne of Australia and Maureen Sweeney of England; and three grandchildren.
Private funeral services were held. Donations in Ms. Molteni's memory may be made to the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309.
Winifred Coyle
Longtime resident of Menlo Park
Winifred (Teddy) Coyle, a resident of Menlo Park for 25 years, died at her home in Palo Alto on May 5. She was 92.
Ms. Coyle was a native of Indiana. She graduated with honors from Ohio State University and in 1936, she married.
Ms. Coyle is survived by her husband Edward of Palo Alto; sister Peggy Green of Getzville, New York; daughter Nancy of Palo Alto; son Edward of Frisco, Texas; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A private memorial service is being planned. Donations may be made in Ms. Coyle's name to the Girl Scouts - Santa Clara Council at 1310 South Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128, or to the Midpeninsula Pathway Hospice at 201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 135, Mountain View, CA 94040.
Thomas Stephens Jr.
Former Menlo Park resident
Thomas Mattei Stephens of La Canada, who grew up in Menlo Park and graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School, died April 25 in Southern California. He was 47.
Mr. Stephens was a member of the swim team at Menlo-Atherton High School. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in environmental engineering and obtained his master's degree from the University of Arizona.
In 1985 he started his own civil engineering company, Crescenta Valley Engineering, specializing in chemical waste water treatment.
An avid sailor, Mr. Stephens loved swimming, water skiing and camping trips, says his family. He was an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts and admired for his devotion to the children in the organization.
Mr. Stephens is survived by his wife, Carol; children: Paul, Timothy, Adrienne, Allison, Amy and Andrick; his father Tom Stephens of Menlo Park; and brother Jack Stephens. His life was celebrated at a private family gathering.
Dorothy Wise
Retired journalist
Dorothy B. Wise, a Menlo Park resident for 32 years, died May 13 at Stanford Medical Center after a long illness. She was 82.
A native of Berkeley, Mrs. Wise was a graduate of UC Berkeley and earned a master's degree in the School of Journalism at Columbia University.
She worked as a journalist for Ladies Home Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle before becoming a public relations employee with Consolidated Freightways.
A member of the Great Pyrenees Club of California, she loved dogs and reading books, says her family.
Mrs. Wise is survived by three sons: Michael of Colorado; Peter of Illinois and Timothy of Washington, D.C.; and two grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held May 19 at Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries. Donations to a favorite children's charity are preferred.
Daria Leslie Bailey
Legal secretary
Daria Leslie Bailey, a resident of Menlo Park for the past 16 months, died May 17 in Menlo Park at the age of 50.
Ms. Bailey was a graduate of Notre Dame High School and Santa Clara University. She lived for many years in Fresno, and pursued a career as a legal secretary and property manager.
Ms. Bailey is survived by her son William; daughters Kelsey and Hillary Joyce; her mother, Jean; and a sister, Christine Cali.
A funeral Mass was held May 21 at St. Raymond's Catholic Church in Menlo Park, with Burial at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto.
Ellen Patricia Weston
Longtime resident who loved Menlo Park
Ellen Patricia Weston, a native of Atherton who lived in Menlo Park for more than 60 years, died April 12 in Menlo Park. She was 92.
Ms. Weston worked for many years as the clerk at the front desk of the California Water Company in Menlo Park. Although she never married, she enjoyed the company of her extended family and particularly her life in Menlo Park, family members said. She was an active parishioner of St. Raymond's Catholic Church.
Ms. Weston is survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy Weston of San Jose; nephews Gerald Biggs of Sunnyvale, Kenneth Biggs of Half Moon Bay, John Weston of Kingsburg, California, Paul Weston of Redwood City, and Father Thomas Weston, S. J., of Oakland; and five great-nephews.
A memorial service was held for Ms. Weston on Friday, April 20, at St. Raymond's. Donations may be made in her name to a charity of your choice.
Hilda Bocci DeMartini
Role model to family, friends
Hilda Bocci DeMartini, originally from San Francisco and a 28-year resident of Menlo Park, died February 28 in Menlo Park. She was 97.
Those who knew Ms. DeMartini admired her for her spirit, sense of humor and wisdom, relatives said. She also traveled the world until the age of 86 and enjoyed reading historical novels and biographies. Ms. DeMartini was a member of the Druids Green Valley Circle and the Native Daughters of the Golden West, for which she served as president in 1973-74. Her husband of 68 years, Fred, died in 1992. Ms. DeMartini is survived by her daughters, Barbara J. Hills and Joan D. Morris, both of San Francisco; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held March 2 at St. Denis Catholic Church in Menlo Park. Donations in Ms. DeMartini's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Wilma B. Horrow
Volunteer for charitable causes
Wilma B. Horrow, a longtime resident of Atherton and a volunteer with many Peninsula organizations, died April 20 at her home in Menlo Park. She was 84.
Ms. Horrow was an active volunteer in the Menlo Park chapter of the Children's Home Society of California, the Children's Health Council of the Mid Peninsula and other charitable organizations on the Peninsula. She and her husband Harry also contributed to the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera and many other organizations, relatives said.
Ms. Horrow was a native of San Francisco. She marriage in 1940 and resided with her family for many years in homes in Atherton and Pebble Beach.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara H. Gaynor of Salem, Oregon; and son Michael of Capitola. At her request, a private family service was held.
George Kaattari
Research scientist
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6, for George Edward Kaattari of Menlo Park, who died at home March 28. He was 81.
Mr. Kaattari was born in Elkol, Wyoming, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked in Provo, Utah, prior to serving two years in the Army Air Force.
Mr. Kaatari graduated from Stanford University with a master's degree in mechanical engineering, and taught engineering courses at the University of Utah from 1948 to 1950.
He served as an aeronautical scientist at the NASA Ames Laboratory from 1950 until he retired in 1978. He was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Elizabeth; son Dr. Stephen Kaattari; daughter Katie Ann Kaattari; and two grandchildren.
Joseph A. Monti
Longtime Atherton resident
Joseph A. Monti, native of Colma and resident of Atherton for 55 years, died at home April 16. He was 91.
Mr. Monti is survived by Evelyn, his wife of 65 years; son Phillip of Palo Alto; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
At Mr. Monti's request, no memorial services are planned.
Margaret Snowden
Retired city clerk of Menlo Park
Margaret E. Snowden, a one-time city clerk of Menlo Park, died on April 16. She was 86
A longtime Menlo Park resident, Mrs. Snowden was active in the community as a Little House senior center volunteer, and a member of the Menlo Park Historical Association and the American Association of University Women. Frank Helfrich of the historical association said Mrs. Snowden "was one of our best volunteers _ she came in here every week to help. It's going to be hard without her."
Mrs. Snowden worked in Menlo Park City Hall for 32 years, beginning in 1952. She was city clerk from 1964 to 1984, working under 12 mayors and three city managers. "She knew everybody in town," Mr. Helfrich said.
Mrs. Snowden is survived by daughters Emily Lamoreaux and Betty Snowden, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, James, and son, James Jr.
Services were held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Palo Alto.
The family prefers that memorial donations be made to the Menlo Park Historical Association or the American Lung Association.
Leah E. O'Neil
Library and senior center volunteer
Leah E. O'Neil, a longtime resident of Menlo Park and an active volunteer at the Menlo Park Library and the Avenidas senior center in Palo Alto, died April 15 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was 86.
Ms. O'Neil was a native of Caspien, Michigan. She moved to California with her husband Robert in 1948 and worked as a secretary for the Southern Pacific Rail Road for 30 years, retiring in 1978.
Ms. O'Neil is survived by her sister Patricia Buchanan of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews in Wisconsin and Michigan.
At the request of Ms. O'Neil, no services were held.
A memorial service for Marcella Pope, a 53-year Atherton resident, will be held Tuesday, May 1, at 11 a.m. at Peninsula Bible Church, 3505 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Mrs. Pope died April 20 at the age of 87.
