Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Sister Mary Berchmans Spicer
Nun, educator
Sister Mary Berchmans Spicer, who spent 10 years as teacher and principal at Nativity School in Menlo Park, died March 17 at the Presentation Sisters Motherhouse in San Francisco. She was 97.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Sister Berchmans was a Sister of the Presentation for 81 years. She spent 56 years as an educator before retiring in 1981.
She is survived by her sister, Rosella Macquarrie, and a brother, Joseph Spicer.
A funeral Mass was celebrated March 21 at the Presentation Motherhouse, followed by Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Sisters of the Presentation, Congregational Offices, 281 Masonic Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118.
Thomas Halligan
Menlo Park resident
Thomas Walsh Halligan, an executive and Menlo Park resident for the last decade, died March 21. He was 80.
Born October 20, 1922, in Davenport, Iowa, he attended Georgetown University before serving for three years in the Navy.
Mr. Halligan then went to work for Walsh Construction Company, and a successor company, Guy F. Atkinson Construction, for 43 years. He worked his way up from surveyor to chief executive officer and worked across the United States.
In the community, he served on the Board of Regents at Santa Clara University, the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was active with the United Way.
Mr. Halligan is survived by his wife Mary and their six children and five grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at St. Denis Catholic Church on March 31. The family asks that well-wishers make a donation to a charity of their choice.
Leslie Hill
Atherton artist
Leslie Stewart Hill, a longtime Atherton resident and both an artist and interior decorator, died at home March 13. She was 88.
Born October 16, 1914, in Chicago, Mrs. Hill was an impressionist painter. As an interior decorator, she was known for her country decorating style.
Mrs. Hill is survived by her son, John Randall of Atherton, and one grandson.
A rosary and vigil service were held at the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuary, and a memorial Mass was held March 21 at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park.
Alberta Duncan
Former grocer
Alberta Francis Duncan of Portola Valley died April 3. She was 90.
A native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, she and her husband Ray came to California during the Great Depression and settled on the Peninsula. In the early 1960s they moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where they operated a grocery store.
Upon retirement, they returned to the Bay Area to live with their son and daughter-in-law, David and Julie, in Portola Valley.
Mrs. Duncan was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her three children, Nancy of Lincoln, Keith of Cincinnati, and David of Portola Valley; and four grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Dr. Frank Talarico
Menlo Park resident, physician
Dr. Frank Talarico, M.D., a 16-year Menlo Park resident and the first general resident physician at Sequoia Hospital, died March 31. He was 88.
Dr. Talarico earned both his bachelor of science degree and his doctor of medicine degree from Wayne University at Detroit, finishing his studies in 1949.
In 1950 he joined the new Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City as a general resident physician.
From 1951 to 1953, he served in an Army MASH unit during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from the war, he had a private practice in Redwood City until his retirement in 1982.
Dr. Talarico is survived by his sons, Karl Talarico of Sunnyvale, Gregory Talarico of Santa Monica and David Talarico of Laguna Niguel; and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service was held April 4 at Alta Mesa Memorial Park Chapel in Palo Alto, with arrangements by Redwood Chapel of Redwood City.
Herman Koopmans
Horseman and dressage instructor
A memorial service will be held on April 13 at Pony Tracks Ranch in Portola Valley for Herman Koopmans, local horseman and dressage instructor.
Mr. Koopmans died February 19 in a nursing hospital in Belmont. He was 87.
Born in Amsterdam on October 13, 1915, Mr. Koopmans grew up around horses, and began riding at 3 years old.
Mr. Koopmans worked for Javasteel in the Dutch East Indies, scouting and purchasing raw materials for the company. When Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies, Mr. Koopmans became a prisoner of war and was forced to perform slave labor.
One year after the war, he returned to Amsterdam with his wife Thelma, whom he had marriage in Jakarta before the war. In 1955 they moved to Quebec, Canada, and five years later, California.
Mr. Koopmans began teaching at stables in San Jose and founded the Los Altos Hills Riding School. By 1970 he had moved the school, now renamed the Equestrian Institute of California, to Los Trancos Road in Portola Valley.
Mr. Koopmans' school disbanded in the late 1970s, but he continued to teach private pupils up and down the Peninsula.
Mr. Koopmans was divorced in 1977 and in 1987 he marriage Virginia Kean, a writer. He is survived by his wife, his son Peter, three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Elizabeth Huey
Oldest active St. Denis parishioner
Elizabeth Parrish Huey, a former librarian and the oldest active member of St. Denis Parish, died April 3. She was 95.
Born in Mannington, West Virginia, in 1907, Mrs. Huey graduated from Fairmont State Teachers College and marriage Charles Huey in 1934.
The couple moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, and Mrs. Huey taught English and reading at Bettendorf Middle School.
She commuted to Iowa City to obtain a master's degree in library science from the University of Iowa. For 15 years she was the middle school's head librarian, retiring in 1972.
After her husband's death in 1973, Mrs. Huey moved to the Bay Area, and lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Scott Feamster, since 1979.
Mrs. Huey worshipped at St. Denis Church and attended the church's weekly Spirituality Group and Bridge Group.
She also volunteered at Oakwood Retirement Community and taught English as a second language at local schools.
Mrs. Huey is survived by her sister, Mary Louise Parrish Clarke of Front Royal, Virginia; daughters Carolyn Feamster of Atherton and Nancy Kotch of Westfield, New Jersey; and three grandsons.
A memorial Mass was held April 12 at St. Denis Church in Menlo Park. Donations may be made to St. Denis Parish for a remembrance in her name.
Jane Milliken
Menlo Park Realtor
Jane Milliken, a Menlo Park Realtor and literacy advocate, died April 4. She was 74.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1929, Mrs. Milliken graduated from Smith College in 1951 and sold residential real estate in Southern California for over 40 years.
She was a member of the Smith Alumnae Association and an instructor in a developmental reading program for primary school children for many years.
A member of the professional standards committee of the Santa Barbara Board of Realtors, Mrs. Milliken was the recipient of the Howard Gates Award, given in recognition of the completion of unique real estate transactions in and around Santa Barbara.
Mrs. Milliken is survived by her husband of 51 years, James; daughters Barbara Pivnicka of Woodside, Sara Swanson of Santa Maria and Margaret Morris of Tacoma, Washington; sons Patrick and Vincent Milliken of Santa Barbara; sister Judy Oakford of Peoria, Illinois; brother Frank A. Little of Louisiana; and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or to Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063.
Mark Smith
Menlo Park financial adviser
A memorial service in honor of Mark Payte Smith will be held April 16 at 1 p.m. at the Unity Palo Alto Community Church, 3391 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto.
Mr. Smith, a financial adviser and resident of Menlo Park for eight years, died April 2. He was 48.
Born in 1954 in Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Smith moved with his family to Palo Alto in 1963.
After graduating from Cubberley High School in 1973, he attended the University of California and graduated in 1977 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science.
He started his financial advisory business in 1979 in Menlo Park at Kidder Peabody, now UBS Paine Webber.
An advocate for children's development and health, Mr. Smith was active in the Chuck Muncie Foundation and Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health.
Mr. Smith is survived by his father, Floy Smith, brother Marty Smith and two nephews.
Norman Oaks
Woodside artist
A celebration of the life of Norman E. Oaks will be held at the King's Mountain Fire House, 13889 Skyline Blvd. in Woodside, on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m.
A 35-year resident of Woodside, Mr. Oaks died March 9. He was 79.
Born in Burlingame on September 26, 1923, Mr. Oaks graduated from high school in 1942 and served in World War II as a naval carrier fighter pilot in the South Pacific.
After returning from the war, Mr. Oaks finished his education at San Mateo Junior College and U.C. Davis. He served in the Naval Reserve until 1963.
In his civilian life, Mr. Oaks worked as an electronic research and development technician at Varian Systems.
In 1969, Mr. Oaks moved to his farm near Skyline Boulevard, where he raised sheep and cattle. Active in youth activities, he was a scoutmaster and 4-H leader for more than 30 years.
An artist and sculptor for many years, he exhibited his work at the King's Mountain Art Fair since 1966. His giant playground tire structures are on display throughout Northern California.
Mr. Oaks is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beverly; a son, Donald T. Oaks; daughters Patricia D. Naylor, Marilyn D. Smith and Virginia G. Oaks; and four grandchildren.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Oaks' memory be made to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301, to honor Dr. Marc Gradman.
Lynne Forbis Egbert
Lived 45 years in Portola Valley
A memorial service for Lynne Forbis Egbert, who lived in Portola Valley with her family since 1958, will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley.
Mrs. Egbert died April 10 at Stanford Hospital after suffering a massive stroke. She was 76.
"Lynne was a wonderful loving mother and wife, who enjoyed family activities together, many of which took place at the Alpine Hills Tennis and Swim Club," said her husband Jack Egbert. They became members in 1960. Her friends described her as "Mrs. Alpine" because of her friendliness and welcoming way with people of all ages.
Her passion for tennis won her numerous tournaments over the years. She was active in many of the Alpine Hills club's tennis activities and loved interacting with people of all ages, said her family.
" Not only was Lynne a people person, she also cared tremendously for animals," said her husband. "This was especially true with her fondness for cats, and she enjoyed their companionship throughout her life."
Born Elizabeth Lynne Forbis on November 10, 1926, she was raised in Albany, Missouri, until age 10 by her parents Grace Peery Forbis and Roy Forbis. Her mother died before Lynne's 11th birthday. Her two aunts, Ruby Peery, a school teacher, and Lucy Peery, who taught music, helped raise her until she went off to Briarcliff Junior College.
She continued her studies at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts. Her dream was to teach art as a career after graduation, and she did teach one summer while at Briarcliff. Her interests included ceramics, pottery and photography.
She met Jack Egbert while working in Boston, and they were marriage in 1951 in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Living in in Wayland, Massachusetts, they started a family that included four sons. In 1958 the family came to California and built their home in Portola Valley.
Mrs. Egbert is survived by her husband Jack Egbert; four sons, Steve of Carmel Valley, Scott in Oregon, John of Scotts Valley and Jeff of Oakland; and three grandchildren.
The family prefers that memorial contributions be made to the donor's favorite charity. Arrangements were made by the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Jane Duncan
Publicist
Jane Shanesy Duncan, a longtime member of the Peninsula Volunteers, died April 15 in Menlo Park. She was 84.
Born in Arcata, she moved to the Bay Area in 1949, living in Menlo Park. Her career in public relations began in 1949 at Stanford Research Institute. She later worked at the President's House at Stanford University and in 1966 moved to San Francisco where she was appointed public relations director of the Hotel St. Francis.
In 1971 she became public affairs director of the western region of the U.S. Department of Health and Welfare. In 1974 she moved to Washington, D.C., where she handled activity and event supervision for the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration for the 26 eastern states. She later became a special assistant to the Undersecretary of HEW, coordinating media relations and public appearances.
In 1979 Mrs. Duncan returned to San Francisco as a media consultant for the San Francisco Department of Public Health. In 1983 she retired from public life and devoted her time to volunteer work, family and traveling.
She was the first president of the Peninsula Symphony Association. Her memberships included the Peninsula Volunteers, the Public Relations Society of America, the San Francisco Press Club, the Menlo Circus Club, and Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club.
Mrs. Duncan had a dynamic personality, loved people, parties and traveling and made many friends all over the world, say family members.
Her first husband, Leon Dillon, died in 1982; her second husband, James B. Moore, died in 1996. She is survived by her husband Herb Duncan of Menlo Park; daughter Barbara (Bobbie) Bousky of Adelaide, Australia; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Donations in Mrs. Duncan's memory may be made to the Peninsula Volunteers Rosener House or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Ward Walkup
Warehouse company owner
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Christ Episcopal Church, 815 Portola Road in Portola Valley, for Ward Gale Walkup Jr. of Menlo Park, who died March 5 at Sequoia Hospital. He was 80.
Mr. Walkup lived his entire life in the San Francisco Bay Area. Raised in Atherton, he graduated from Sequoia High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He graduated from Stanford University in 1947 with a degree in mechanical engineering and was a member of the Stanford baseball team and Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
Mr. Walkup was president and owner of Walkup Drayage & Warehouse Co. in American Canyon, California, a business started by his father in 1906.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Soule Walkup of Menlo Park; sons, Ward III, Howard, and Clyde Walkup; daughter Karen Quinn; sister Edith Searles; stepdaughters Leslie Quist and Gina Madeira; and nine grandchildren.
The family prefers memorials be made to Sequoia Hospital Foundation Heart Fund, 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, 94062, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Ian A. Bastelier
Publishing company executive
A private family service is planned for Ian A. Bastelier, Portola Valley resident and former vice-president of Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. in Menlo Park.
Mr. Bastelier died March 8 after a long illness with cancer of the throat.
After serving as an officer and helicopter pilot, flying medical evacuation missions during the Vietnam War, he worked for Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. in Menlo Park. He became a vice-president of the publishing firm in 1971. Later, he was a consultant with Scientific America and Scott-Forseman Publishing Co.
Originally from Long Island, New York, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he was an active yachtsman and raced sailboats on the New England circuit. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman.
Mr. Bastelier attended Brooklyn Technical Institute and New York City College before working in educational publishing for the New York Times.
He is survived by his wife Carol Bastelier of Penn Valley, daughters Christine Bastelier of Mountain View and Michelle Rowe of Portola Valley, son Peter Bastelier of Mountain View; and granddaughter Amelia Bastelier Rowe.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Institute of Cancer Research by calling 1-800-843-8114.
