Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Roy Bailey
Retired geologist
Roy A. Bailey, who spent 42 years as a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Washington, D.C., Reston, Virginia, and Menlo Park, died July 13 at his home in Santa Cruz. Mr. Bailey moved from Menlo Park to Santa Cruz five years ago. He was 73 years old.
Mr. Bailey was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated from Brown University, where he was a member of Sigma Xi fraternity. He earned a master's degree from Cornell University and a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. In 1956 he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand, where he met his wife, the former Patrice Kelly.
He was a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and an internationally recognized authority on volcanic petrology (the study of the classification, location, structure and origin of rocks).
Mr. Bailey was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hiking, mountain climbing and white-water canoeing. He was a keen birdwatcher, nature photographer and naturalist, say family members.
In addition to his wife of 45 years, Patrice, he is survived by daughters Tara Bailey Deller of Santa Rosa, Deirdre Bailey of Santa Cruz, and Moana Bailey Hendrix of San Andreas; sisters Carolyn Gill of London, England, Rosalind Kosheleff of Los Gatos, and Cheryl Wilson of Amherst, Massachusetts; and five grandchildren.
Memorials are preferred to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum (New Zealand garden), 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95064.
Martha Olliver
Menlo Park resident
Martha Kessenich Olliver of Menlo Park died July 26 at age 77.
A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Mrs. Olliver graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in medical technology. While working at the Phoenix General Hospital in Arizona, she met and marriage William Olliver in 1951.
The Ollivers lived in Valparaiso, Chile, where Mr. Olliver worked for First National City Bank. Three of their children, Bob, John and Bill, were born there. Mrs. Olliver became fluent in Spanish and made many life-long friends, say family members. In 1965 the family moved to Mexico City, where she became a volunteer at the ABC Hospital, and worked with the blind.
Returning to the United States, Mrs. Olliver became active in Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Family members say they will remember her for her love of music, gardening, movies, books, photographs, chocolate and her latest discovery: e-mail.
Mrs. Olliver is survived by her children, Julie Tousend of Moraga, twins John Olliver of Atlanta and Bill Olliver of Menlo Park, and Bob Olliver of Boulder, Colorado; sister Barbara Teige of Menlo Park; four grandchildren; and former husband William Olliver of Mexico City, Mexico.
Services were held July 30 at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (marked "Russia"), 950 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, or to World Vision Inc., PO Box 78481, Tacoma, WA 98481.
Ruth Kenyon
Menlo Park resident
Ruth Elizabeth Kenyon, a resident of Menlo Park since 1972, died July 25 at home after a battle with cancer. She was 77.
Mrs. Kenyon was born in New York City and graduated from Bayside High School in 1943. An aspiring model and clothes designer, she spent her early years in and around the rural community of Flemington, New Jersey. She moved to the Peninsula with her husband, Robert, in 1968, first residing in Woodside.
Mrs. Kenyon loved movies, travel, nature and animals, especially her dog, Roxy, and cat, Simba, say family members. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert; sons Lance Kenyon of Reno and Brian Kenyon of Salt Lake City. Private services were planned. Memorials are preferred to Defenders of Wildlife.
Frank Carter
Former Menlo Park resident
Memorial services have been held for Frank Carter of Corralitos, who died at home on July 24. He was 84.
Born in Palo Alto, Mr. Carter lived in Menlo Park from age 5 until 1981. He graduated from Sequoia High School, where he played football and rugby.
He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and was involved in the clean-up of Pearl Harbor. A bricklayer, he worked on many residences in Menlo Park, Atherton and Los Altos. He retired to Corralitos in 1981, where he grew apples.
Mr. Carter is survived by his wife of 54 years, Antoinette (Toni); son Christopher Carter of Menlo Park; and daughter Mary Louise Carter of Ruston, Louisiana.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Oakwood Memorial Chapel of Santa Cruz.
Louise Hansman
Community volunteer
Louise Kurfess Hansman of Menlo Park died July 30 at age 81.
Mrs. Hansman grew up in LaGrange and Hinsdale, Illinois. She attended the University of Chicago and during World War II worked for the War Department.
She marriage John F. Kurfess and, during their 29-year marriage, lived as a Naval officer's wife in Guam, Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Hawaii, Virginia, Connecticut and California. Mr. Kurfess died in 1976.
In 1986, she marriage E.J. (Pete) Hansman, whom she had known for most of her adult life as both spent summers at Saugatuck, Michigan.
Mrs. Hansman had many interests including travel, the symphony, bridge, volunteer work and numerous charities, say family members, who will also remember her sense of humor.
She is survived by her husband, E. J. Hansman of Menlo Park; sons John Kurfess of Westlake Village; William R. Kurfess of Menlo Park; David Kurfess of New York City; sister Mary Mabel Luning of Holland, Michigan; niece Sally Schreur of Macatawa, Michigan; nephew Hugh Hazelton of Toronto; and eight grandchildren.
Burial will take place August 16 in Saugatuck, Michigan. Donations may be made to the Peninsula Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired; 2470 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 94306 or the Children's Health Council, 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto 94304.
Margaret McAulay
Former Realtor
Margaret Dobbel McAulay, a former resident of Woodside, died at her Los Altos Hills home on August 1.
Mrs. McAulay was born in Sonoma on September 9, 1912. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. After completing a degree in library science at the university, she worked in public libraries in Palo Alto and Redwood City until her marriage to William Hatton McAulay. They lived in Woodside from 1956 to 1965 before moving to Los Altos Hills.
Long interested in residential design, landscape architecture and home decoration, Mrs. McAulay obtained her real estate license in 1969, and embarked on a successful career as a Realtor with Cornish and Carey Realtors, Los Altos. She retired in 1995.
She is survived by her children Richard of Los Altos Hills and Tamsin of Pacific Grove; and one grandson. Her husband, William Hatton McAulay, died in 1984.
Justin Parker
University student
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 16, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, for Justin Parker, 22, of Menlo Park. Justin died July 31 in an accidental fall from a balcony at the University of Colorado where he was a student. He is the son of Juli and John Parker of Menlo Park.
Joseph Eugene Beh
Civic-minded businessman
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, August 20, for Joseph Eugene Beh of Atherton, who died August 15 of kidney failure. He was 85, and lived in Atherton for more than 55 years.
A native of Iowa, Mr. Beh was a 1941 graduate of Georgetown University. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and served in the Adjutant Generals Division of the Air Transport Command in Washington, D.C.
In 1950, he began an accounting practice that developed into his own real estate fire and casualty agency, with offices throughout the Peninsula. He also served as chief executive and director of the San Mateo County Savings & Loan Bank, and was president of the Banner Development Co.
Mr. Beh was known for his involvement in the community and his church. He was a trustee of St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park and St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco.
In the realm of civic affairs, Mr. Beh had served as president of several organizations, including the Herbert Hoover Boys Club, the Menlo Park Rotary and the Exchange Club. He had also served as president of the board of Sacred Heart Schools and the Menlo Park Board of Realtors.
Mr. Beh is survived by his wife, Allanah Cleary Beh, whom he marriage in 1996. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Byrd W. Wilshire, who died in 1983 after 41 years of marriage. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Louise Beh of Menlo Park, and a brother, Philip Beh of Alexandria, Virginia.
A vigil is set for 7 p.m. August 19 in the chapel of St. Patrick's Seminary, 320 Middlefield Road, in Menlo Park. A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. August 20 in the Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. A private entombment service will follow. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries.
The family prefers that memorial gifts be made to Pathways Home and Health Hospice, 201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 135, Mountain View, CA 94040.
Cedric Lussier
Retired dentist
A Mass of Christian Burial for Cedric Lussier, who died August 13, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 21, at St. Raymond Church, 1100 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, followed by Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Menlo Park.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, at Redwood Chapel, 847 Woodside Road, Redwood City. A rosary will follow at 7 p.m. at St. Raymond Church.
Dr. Lussier was a resident of Menlo Park for 50 years. He practiced general dentistry at 777 Welch Road for 44 years before retiring in 1997.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cedric Lussier came West with his father, an oral surgeon, after his mother died when he was 18 months old. The family settled in San Francisco, and Dr. Lussier graduated from St. Ignatius High School, the University of San Francisco and the University of the Pacific College of Physicians and Surgeons.
A war hero, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1943 and was shot down in the Mediterranean waters near Corsica in 1944, where he was rescued by a PBY flying boat. He arrived back in the United States in 1945 after completing 92 fighter bomber missions over Italy, France and Germany. A highlight of his overseas duty was attending an audience with Pope Pius XII in 1944 while on rest leave in Rome.
He was introduced to his future bride, Alice (Sis) Whelan, by his cousin, Marguerite Lussier Savage, who was her best friend. The couple marriage in 1945.
Between 1946 and 1954, their six children were born, and Dr. Lussier completed dental school and started his general practice. "There were five of us children at Dad's graduation from dental school," says daughter Christine Dyer.
Dr. Lussier was a past member of the Serra Club, the Peninsula Dental Association, Ducks Unlimited, Menlo Circus Club, and Menlo Country Club. He was active in the St. Raymond Men's Club, Bellarmine Men's Club, and a number of other organizations. He enjoyed duck hunting, playing tennis and golf, and spending time with family and friends, say family members.
Dr. Lussier is survived by his wife of 58 years, Alice (Sis); his children, Cedric (Steve) Lussier Jr. of Cloverdale, Oregon, Michael Lussier of Brookdale, Norman Lussier of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Mark Lussier of St. Helena, Christine Dyer of Menlo Park, and David Lussier of Palm Springs; 19 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The family prefers that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2065 West El Camino Real, Suite C, Mountain View, CA 94040; the Carmelite Monastery, 68 Rincon Road, Kensington, CA 94707, or to Corpus Christi Monastery, 215 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park CA 94025.
Henry Scott
Former Peninsula School teacher
Henry Clarkson Scott, former Woodside and Menlo Park resident, died July 6 at his home in San Anselmo.
Mr. Scott was born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to East Hampton, Long Island, New York, as a young boy. He graduated from Phillips Academy at Andover and Stanford University. He completed his doctoral work, but for his dissertation, as a Danforth Teaching Fellow in Education.
Mr. Scott started his teaching career at Sequoia High School and continued at San Francisco State University while living in Woodside with his first wife, Cynthia Keil and their three children. In 1963 he joined the Peace Corps and served as deputy director for Ethiopia.
After returning to the West, he joined the faculty at the California Institute for the Arts in Valencia, where he lived with his second wife, Catherine Berne and their three children. He next moved to Menlo Park and became executive director of Hidden Villa's environmental education program. He later became a teacher at Peninsula School and served on its board of directors.
He is survived by his wife, Caroline Rose Helmuth; brother Tom Keck Scott of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; children, Mary Elizabeth Scott-Bellman of Portland, Oregon; Kathryn Ann Scott Dulin of Lake Oswego, Oregon; Peter Kiel Scott of Boulder, Colorado; and Chloe Britton Scott, Will Berne Scott and Samuel Keck Scott, all of Lagunitas, California; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Daniel Regan
Former Menlo Park resident
Daniel M. Regan, who was a devoted Giants' fan, died August 11 in San Jose. He was 55.
Mr. Regan, who was born at Stanford Hospital, spent his childhood in Menlo Park. Services were held for him August 15 at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Menlo Park.
He is survived by his wife, Louise M. Regan of San Jose; sons, Daniel M. Regan Jr. and Patrick V. Regan, both of San Jose; his mother, Naomi Regan; sisters, Kathleen Bui, Janet Difu and Ann Holloway; brothers, William, John and Michael Regan. His father William V. Regan has died.
Donations may be made to the Diabetes Society of Santa Clara Valley, 1165 Lincoln Ave., Suite 300, San Jose 95125. Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 650 Live Oak Ave., Menlo Park.
Margaret Gruter
Intellectual crusader
Margaret Gruter, founder of the Gruter Institute for Law and Behavioral Research in Portola Valley, died August 2. She was 84.
Mrs. Gruter was born and educated in Germany where she obtained a law degree from the University of Heidelberg. Together with her husband, Dr. Joachim Gruter, and daughter, Vera, she emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1951.
The family first moved to Ohio, where her husband served as the doctor to a small rural community. Mrs. Gruter began a series of projects, including a mink ranch and a Christmas tree farm. She started and later sold a successful nursing home business, which prompted a move to California in 1969.
In 1973 Mrs. Gruter received a master's degree in law from Stanford, where she also taught as an adjunct professor. "Her unique background set the stage for her ability to motivate and bring out the best in scholars across so many disciplines, launching the Gruter Institute," said her granddaughter, Monika Gruter Cheney.
After founding the Gruter Institute in 1981, Mrs. Gruter continued to foster multi-disciplinary research in law, evolutionary biology, economics, neurobiology and other behavioral sciences for 22 years.
"Even on her last day, she was talking of the exciting research that lay ahead for the Institute and of her many wonderful friends and colleagues," said Ms. Cheney.
Survivors include her daughter, Dr. Vera Morhenn of La Jolla; a son, Oliver Gruter of San Ramon; and four grandchildren.
A private funeral service was held in Palo Alto. The family prefers donations be made to the Gruter Institute, 158 Goya Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028.
Polly Harris Robertson
Longtime Menlo Park resident
Polly Harris Robertson, a 45-year resident of Menlo Park, died August 21 at age 78.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs. Robertson grew up in Chicago during the Great Depression. Her family settled in Idaho, where she graduated from Pocatello High School and was a member of the National Honor Society.
She attended the University of Idaho and received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1948, the same year she marriage Donald Robertson. The couple moved to San Francisco, then Redwood City and finally Menlo Park in 1958.
After working for Hewlett Packard as an administrative assistant for 25 years, Mrs. Robertson retired in 2000. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority, the Palo Alto Auxiliary to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford and Little House.
Mrs. Robertson is survived by her husband Donald B. Robertson of Menlo Park; daughters Janet Orazem of Maryland and Mary Lou Coleman of Utah; son William B. Robertson of Menlo Park; and sister Carol J. Harris of New York.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pathways Hospice Foundation in Mountain View.
Mary Clark Swinerton
Distinguished equestrienne
A private memorial service will be held for Mary "Polly" Clark Swinerton, who died September 16 at her home in Woodside. She was 86.
Ms. Swinerton, who taught riding and horsemanship to countless children, began her lifelong love of horses when she was 4, and soon was trick riding at the old Gymkhana Club in San Mateo, according to her daughter, Susie McBaine. She liked to say she was one of the last people who had ridden a horse from South San Francisco to Woodside without crossing a paved road, says Ms. McBaine.
Ms. Swinerton was born in San Francisco and attended the Katherine Branson School in Ross. She attended Radcliffe College, earning a bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University in 1939. After graduation, she worked at the Colt Press as an assistant to Jane Grabhorn and William Roth.
She marriage William Swinerton in 1943 and moved to Woodside with her family in 1958. Ms. Swinerton was involved in many organizations, including the Woodside Riders and Recording for the Blind. She was a member of the board of the Peninsula Humane Society, The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America, and the Center for Equine Health at U.C. Davis.
In 1969 she developed "Mary's Farm" in Loma Rica in Northern California, where she trained and bred champion Welsh ponies and cobs. She was given the Distinguished Horseman Award in both 1975 and 1990 by the San Mateo County Horseman's Association.
Ms. Swinerton is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill Swinerton of Woodside; sisters Evelyn Gregory and Nancy Hammond; children Leslie Swinerton of Geary, Oklahoma, Susie McBaine of San Francisco, Jim Swinerton of San Francisco, and Sarah Swinerton of Woodside; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The family prefers memorials to the Center for Equine Health, U.C. Davis; or to a charity of choice.
Suzanne Walsh
Menlo Park resident
Suzanne Marie Walsh of Menlo Park died September 17 after a battle with cancer. She was 39.
Ms. Walsh was born in San Carlos and moved to Menlo Park with her family 20 years ago. She worked as an advocate and job coach for the developmentally disabled community at Gatepath in Burlingame. "She actually helped find them jobs," said her mother, Marian Walsh.
She had worked as a volunteer for children with cancer at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and enjoyed singing in the choir at St. Raymond Church, Menlo Park. 'She was never happier than when she was spending time with her family," her mother said.
Ms. Walsh is survived by her parents Douglass and Marian Walsh of Menlo Park; sisters Debbie O'Neal of Lafayette, and Mimi Enea of Alamo; brother Doug Walsh of Alamo; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass for Ms. Walsh was held September 20 at Church of the Nativity, Menlo Park. Memorials may be made to the Lucile Packard Foundation Recreational Therapy for Children with Cancer Fund, 770 Welch Road, Suite 150, Palo Alto, 94304; or to St. Patrick's Seminary, 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, 94025.
Arrangements were under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries.
