Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Sharon Lee Davis
Volunteer, former Portola Valley resident
Sharon Lee Davis, a resident of Portola Valley for 26 years, died August 3 following a battle with cancer. She was 58.
The oldest of four children, Mrs. Davis was born and raised in Michigan. She and a friend moved to California in 1963, where she worked for Pan-Am Airlines. She marriage Richard Davis a few years later, and the couple lived in Michigan and Texas before moving to Portola Valley in 1973 with their three sons. A fourth son was born five years later.
While living in Portola Valley, Mrs. Davis became like a second mother to her sons' many friends, relatives said. She volunteered in their activities, from running the snack shack at Alpine Little League games to working with the Mothers Club at their schools.
She also stayed busy taking her four boys to soccer, baseball, basketball and football practices and games, said family members.
In 1999, Mrs. Davis and her husband retired to Surprise, Arizona.
She is survived by her husband Richard of Surprise, Arizona; her mother Betty Ilhenfeldt of Sun City West, Arizona; her sons Matt, Chris and Paul, all of Mountain View, and Steve of Scottsdale, Arizona; her siblings Gayle and Paul of Bellville, Michigan, and Donnie of Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Memorial services were held in Arizona, Menlo Park and Michigan, with Interment at Michigan Memorial in Flatrock, where she could be laid to rest with her father Donald.
Robin Lee Stephens
Needlepoint artist
Robin Lee Stephens of Woodside, owner of the Mountain Needle Art Studio, died at home August 6 after a 10-year battle with cancer. She was 63.
Mrs. Stephens, a native of the Wintu Indian tribe, was born in Redding. She began her business career at Pan American Airlines in crew scheduling and enjoyed her travel benefits to the fullest, family members said.
After working for 35 years, she retired in 1989 and devoted herself to needle art. The next year, she opened Mountain Needle Art Studio in Woodside, where she taught classes and created her own needlepoint designs.
Mrs. Stephens, a resident of Woodside for more than 25 years, is survived by her husband, Gerald L. Stephens of Woodside; son Mark A. Stephens of Woodside; daughter Kimberly Fuhrman of Woodside; and two grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Woodside School Foundation, art program, 3195 Woodside Road, Woodside 94062, or to the cancer research program of the donor's choice.
Sally Guard
Former Portola Valley resident
Sally Guard, who graduated from Woodside High School in 1980, died of non-Hodgkins disease lymphoma July 28 at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City. She was 38.
Ms. Guard was born in Australia, the daughter of Gretchen and the late Dave Guard, a founding member of the Kingston Trio. She grew up in Australia, Palo Alto and Portola Valley. She spent her summers at the Bar 717 Ranch in Trinity County.
She graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1984 and became a reporter at Sports Illustrated in Manhattan, covering golf, the Winter Olympics, and soccer, the sport she loved most, according to friends.
She marriage David Burger in 1995 and left Sports Illustrated shortly before her daughter, Emma, was born. She worked as an editor at Bishop Books until her daughter Cameron was born in 1998.
Ms. Guard is survived by her husband, David Burger; daughters Emma and Cameron, all of New York City; her mother Gretchen Guard of Santa Fe, New Mexico; sister, Catherine Shinneman of North Hollywood; brother Tom Guard of Santa Cruz; and aunt Sarah Ballard of Seattle, Washington.
A memorial service was held August 11 at The Orensanz Foundation for the Arts in New York City. Contributions in Ms. Guard's memory may be made in her name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 475 Park Avenue South, 21st floor, New York City, 10016, with acknowledgement requested to David Burger, 50 Walker Street, Apt. 4B, New York City, 10013.
Thomas Ricktor
Outdoor enthusiast
Thomas Blair Ricktor of Menlo Park, who loved the outdoors, died August 7 at Stanford Medical Center. He was 34.
"He enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, snow skiing and water skiing," said his mother Mary E. Pimentel of Menlo Park.
A graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School in 1985, Mr. Ricktor attended Long Beach Junior College and worked in food management in the restaurant business in both the Bay Area and Southern California. He recently graduated as a computer technician from the OICW job-training center in Menlo Park.
He is survived by his mother Mary "Missy" Pimentel; father William T. Ricktor of Menlo Park; sister Shelly Moglia of Hermosa Beach; brothers Mark and Matthew Ricktor of Menlo Park; and a niece and nephew.
A celebration of his life was held August 11 at the Robert Battaglia home in Atherton. Memorials in Tom's name may be made to the Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo.
Andrew Joseph Stagnaro
Former owner of Woodside's Peanut Farm
Andrew Joseph Stagnaro, the former owner of the Peanut Farm in Woodside, died August 25 following a long illness. He was 65.
Mr. Stagnaro was a lifelong Californian who had lived in San Benito County for the past nine years. He was a member of the Professional Rodeo of California Association, a member of the Frontier Boys, and was a team roper and former member of the Native Sons.
He is survived by his companion Linda Stubo of Hollister; his children Wendy Von Haesler of Pollock Pines and Lisa Dean of Carmichael; his mother Anita Stagnaro of South San Francisco; his siblings Anthony Stagnaro, Joseph Stagnaro and Joann Bertolucci; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 15, at 3 p.m. at 7430 Lovers Lane in Hollister. Arrangements are by the Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Hollister.
The family prefers that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
Robert Morey
Longtime Menlo Park resident
Robert Morey, a member of the well known Morey family of Menlo Park, died September 5 at Kaiser Hospital in San Jose. He was 62.
Mr. Morey was a graduate of St. Joseph's Elementary School in Atherton and Bellarmine College Preparatory. He operated his own cement company before going to work for cement contractor Richard Benitas of San Jose.
Mr. Morey is survived by his wife, Jeanne Morey of San Jose; daughter Kim Cukar of Pleasanton; brothers Richard Morey of Menlo Park and William Morey of San Jose; and two grandchildren. His son Robert Morey predeceased him.
Private family services were held. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Almaden Boulevard, Suite 500, San Jose, 95113-2214. Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Eleanor Kane Hill
Former Woodside resident
Eleanor Kane Hill, who lived in Woodside and Palo Alto for many years, died September 5 at Sharon Heights Care and Rehabilitation Center in Menlo Park. She was 89.
Mrs. Hill was a native of San Francisco and a member of the class of 1934 at the University of California at Berkeley. During World War II she worked daily in a community Victory Garden, raising vegetables for her Palo Alto neighbors. In recent years she tended her prized begonias and roses.
She had been a member of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto Auxiliary to Lucile Salter Children's Hospital at Stanford, Menlo Country Club, and Palo Alto Garden Club.
Mrs. Hill is survived by her daughter-in-law, Carolyn Eriksson-Ey of Menlo Park; stepchildren George Hill of San Clemente and Polly Carlisle of Plano, Texas. Her husband Walter B. Hill died in 1998 and her son, Christian Kane Ey, died six weeks ago.
Private family services were held. Contributions in Mrs. Hill's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2065 West El Camino Real, Suite C, Mountain View 94040.
Ida Bridgeman
Menlo Park resident
Ida May Bridgeman, who had lived in this area for 50 years, died August 22 in Menlo Park. She was 82.
Mrs. Bridgeman was a native of Paso Robles. She was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening and outdoor activities, and was a member of the Genealogy Society of California.
Survivors include daughters Carole Bridgeman of Menlo Park, Patricia Dallam of Palo Alto, and Susan Hafleigh of Portola Valley; a brother, Leonidas Petersen of New Mexico; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Woodside Community Foundation Trail Fund, c/o Robert Flint, 185 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside, 94062. Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
George Bruck
Physicist
George Bruck, an eminent physicist and holder of more than 50 patents, died August 15 at the Sequoias in Portola Valley, where he had lived for 25 years.
Dr. Bruck was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1904. He studied physics, mathematics and engineering in Vienna, earning his doctorate in 1927. His post-graduate work took him to universities in Rome, Zurich, Berlin and Paris. He also obtained diplomas from Penn State and from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (War College in Washington, D.C.). He was fluent in eight languages.
Dr. Bruck came to the United States in 1930 and spent several months with General Electric Co. When he could not find permanent work during the Great Depression, he returned to France. He worked for many years in France and Italy for offshore subsidiaries of GE, returning to the United States in 1939.
His subsequent career was devoted almost entirely to developments in military electronics, which led to obtaining more than 50 U.S. patents. He was a life member of the American Physical Society, life fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and a registered nuclear fallout shelter analyst.
He retired from his position as chief scientist at Avco Corp. in 1969 and moved with his wife to Switzerland. In 1976 they returned to California, moving into the Sequoias. His wife of 70 years, Edith Ann Bruck, died in September 2000.
Dr. Bruck is survived by his adopted daughter, Lisa Ahorner of Palo Alto; a niece, Anita Batens of Manigod, France; and a cousin, Valyi Gaborne of Budapest. According to his wishes, no service was held.
Colleen Million
Property manager
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Menlo Park, for Colleen K. Million, who died August 22 in Menlo Park. She was 85.
Mrs. Million, who had lived in Menlo Park for more than 20 years, was born in Maxwell, Iowa. She lived and worked in New York City as a young woman. After she marriage Eddie Million, the couple moved to California, where she worked for Taylor Properties in Palo Alto for 10 years. She also managed Sharon Heights properties, including the Sharon View apartments, for Radin & McDonald for about 10 years.
After retiring from property management, Mrs. Million opened a jewelry business, Colleen's Collection, which she operated from her home. She traveled extensively throughout the world, often on jewelry-buying trips. "If there is any thing that was distinctive about Colleen, it was her ability to make friends and keep in touch with old friends," says longtime friend Patricia Genasci.
Memorials in Mrs. Million's name may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, 94025; or Pets in Need, 873 Fifth Ave., Redwood City, 94061.
Keith C. Jones
Keith C. Jones, who had lived in Menlo Park since he was 3 years old, died August 16 at Sharon Heights Care and Rehabilitation Center. He was 59.
Mr. Jones was a native of San Francisco. After his family moved to Menlo Park, he attended Las Lomitas Elementary School and Menlo-Atherton High School.
He was employed as a manufacturing manager of Boxer Cross Inc. in Menlo Park.
He is survived by his wife, Denise, daughter Kathleen "K.C". Jones-Aarons of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; sons Kevin Jones of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Brian Jones of San Francisco; brother Lynham Wallace Jones of Twain Harte, and one granddaughter.
The family prefers donations to the American Cancer Society of San Mateo County, 1720 S. Amphlett Boulevard, Suite 120, San Mateo 94306, or the Mid-Peninsula Hospice Foundation, 65 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 94025.
Private family services were held. Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Jesse Livesay
Retired teacher
Jessie "Junia" Livesay of Portola Valley died August 17 after a series of illnesses from congestive heart failure. She was 83.
Mrs. Livesay was born in Bakersfield and grew up in Fresno, attending Fresno State and San Francisco State colleges. She received her master's degree in education from UCLA.
She was a teacher for kindergarten and first grade in California public schools for 38 years. After moving to Menlo Park in 1952, her last 28 years of teaching were in the Palo Alto School District with most of those years at Green Gables School. She retired in 1980.
Mrs. Livesay lived in Portola Valley with her sister's family from 1968 until her death. After retiring, she worked as a volunteer part-time librarian at the Portola Valley Library. She was a Pink Lady at Stanford Hospital, an active member of the DAR and a member of the Republican Women's Organization. She became interested in family history and Bible study in her later years.
Mrs. Livesay is survived by her sister, Jacqueline MacKay; and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews including Norman and Patrick MacKay of Menlo Park; Tami L. Brook and Brady Chandler of Portola Valley; Barbara J. Stever of Medford, Oregon; and Kristan, Alexander and Haydee Morphin of Portola Valley.
At Mrs. Livesay's request, no services were held.
Maria 'Bobbi' Blankenhorn
School volunteer
Maria Teresa E. Blankenhorn of Menlo Park, known to her friends as "Bobbi," died September 13 after a seven-year battle with cancer. She was 50.
"Bobbi was known as the mom with the big car," says her husband Ron Blankenhorn. "She was always volunteering to take kids to gymnastics or the library. She loved to organize birthday parties for parents who both worked."
Mrs. Blankenhorn was an active volunteer at both Las Lomitas and La Entrada schools, which her daughter, Rhoni, 12, attended.
Mrs. Blankenhorn was born in the Philippines and came to this country as an exchange student to attend high school in Rochester, New York. She returned to the Philippines to attend Maryknoll College.
After graduating from college, she was sent to the United States as a cultural attache for the Philippine State Department. She met her future husband, Ron, at a cultural function at Stanford University. They were marriage in 1980.
Mrs. Blankenhorn is survived by her husband, Ron Blankenhorn and daughter, Rhoni, of Menlo Park; her mother, Helen Hansen Espino, and father, General Romeo Espino, former chief of staff of the armed forces of the Philippines; sister, Helen, and brothers, Leslie, Rafael and Ricardo, all of the Philippines.
A memorial Mass was held September 17 at St. Denis Catholic Church in Sharon Heights where Mrs. Blankenhorn had been an active member for the past 20 years.
Charles J. 'Charlie' Dompe
Assistant fire chief
Charles J. "Charlie" Dompe, a former assistant fire chief for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, died September 11 at Menlo Park Place. He was 88.
A native of Wakefield, Michigan, Mr. Dompe was a 37-year volunteer with the Red Cross and an active member of Little House senior center in Menlo Park.
Mr. Dompe was the husband of the late Mary Dompe. He is survived by his daughter Cathy Dompe of San Francisco; son Robert Dompe of Pleasanton; sister Antoinette Graves of Menlo Park, and brother Frank Dompe of Sunnyvale.
A Mass was held at St. Raymond's Catholic Church with Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park. Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
The family prefers that donations in Mr. Dompe's memory be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Harold Nathan Manbeck
Menlo Park barber
Harold Nathan Manbeck, who owned the Menlo Barber Shop on El Camino Real for 25 years, died September 2. He was 73.
Mr. Manbeck, a resident of Menlo Park for 36 years, was a native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was an avid Giants fan who also enjoyed fishing.
He is survived by his wife Margaret of 36 years; sons Walter Manbeck of Menlo Park, and Michael Manbeck of Pennsylvania.
Services have been held with arrangements under the direction of the Neptune Society of Northern California. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association.
Ida May Bridgeman
Menlo Park resident
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 29, at the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 650 Live Oak Ave., for Ida May Bridgeman, who died August 22 at her home in Menlo Park. She was 82.
Born in Paso Robles, Mrs. Bridgeman had lived in the Menlo Park area for more than 50 years. She was a homemaker who enjoyed gardening and outdoor activities. She was a member of the Genealogy Society of California.
Mrs. Bridgeman is survived by her daughters Carol Bridgeman of Menlo Park; Patricia Dallam of Palo Alto; and Susan Hafleigh of Portola Valley; sister Leonidas Petersen of New Mexico; and four grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the Woodside Community Foundation Trail Fund, c/o Robert Flint, 185 Bear Gulch Road, Woodside, CA 94062.
