Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Margery Farwell
Owner, Farwell's nursery
Margery C. Farwell, a Woodside resident for 42 years, died January 16 in Belmont. She was 87.
Ms. Farwell was born in Oakland and lived in Alameda for 40 years. She was the owner of Farwell's Rhododendron Nursery on Skyline Boulevard in Woodside.
Ms. Farwell is survived by her daughter, Carol Farwell Faber of Upland; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a stepsister, Minnie Lee Sass of Alameda. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Everett E. Farwell; and a son, Gary D. Farwell.
A celebration of Ms. Farwell's life was held January 23 at the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade Community Building. The family prefers that donations in her memory be sent to a favorite charity.
Lester Barry
Electrical engineer
Lester Barry, a resident of Menlo Park for 35 years, died January 10 at Stanford Medical Center. He was 92.
Mr. Barry graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in electrical engineering in 1935. He retired from General Electric Co. after working there for 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; three children, Barbara Mikkelson, Victoria Thoits and Michael Barry; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Private services have been held. The family prefers contributions to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, cardiology department, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 94301.
Kenneth T. Larkin
Lockheed manager
Kenneth T. Larkin, a manager at Lockheed and longtime Portola Valley resident, died January 12 at The Sequoias retirement community in Portola Valley after a long illness. He was 83.
Mr. Larkin is remembered by friends and colleagues as a bright, approachable man, who even served a term as president of the Portola Valley PTA, normally a female citadel.
Born in Fowler, Colorado, Mr. Larkin earned a degree in electrical engineering at Southern Methodist University, graduating at the top of his class.
World War II soon brought the young engineer to the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., where he worked on early development and testing of radar.
In 1946, Mr. Larkin marriage in Houston and moved with his wife, Marjorie, to Boston, where he worked for 10 years for Raytheon. He managed radar projects and got in on the ground floor of computers, Ms. Larkin said.
In 1956, the Larkins moved to the Peninsula. They settled in Portola Valley, where they raised two children while Mr. Larkin worked as a manager at Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.
During his years at Lockheed, Mr. Larkin directed information systems in the Research and Development Division, developed electrical systems for guided missiles, and obtained several patents. "He was a guy who could see opportunities. He was a winner," said Keith Koehler, who worked for Mr. Larkin at Lockheed.
Toward the end of his career, Mr. Larkin became involved with setting up medical data systems to help doctors keep track of patient information, with an early model of the system at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View. When Lockheed spun off that division into a new company, Mr. Larkin stayed with it for a few years. He retired in 1984.
Mr. Larkin enjoyed tennis and golf, and "he loved his Rotary Club," Ms. Larkin said.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Brian S. Larkin of Moss Beach; a daughter, Carol Pahlke of Boulder, Colorado; and three grandchildren.
A private service has been held. The family suggests donations to Christ Church, 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley.
Antoinette Agrella
Tutor and piano teacher
Antoinette (Nettie) Agrella, a resident of Menlo Park since 1955, died January 11. She was 95.
Ms. Agrella moved from Revere, Massachusetts, to California with her family in 1952. She tutored many local schoolchildren in English and reading, and taught piano. She was passionate about music, the arts, and education, and loved being with children, say family members. She was Nettie to her friends and Nonnie to her children.
Ms. Agrella is survived by her children, Corinne Schultz of Modesto and Robert Agrella of Richmond; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Maurice Agrella; a daughter, Virginia Agrella; and a son, Maurice "Jerry" Agrella.
A funeral Mass was celebrated January 16 at Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park, with Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent to Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, 770 Welch Road, Suite 350, Palo Alto, CA 94304 (phone 497-8141).
Constance Larkin
Professor of nursing
A funeral Mass was to be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 27, at Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, for Constance M. Larkin. Ms. Larkin died January 20 at Stanford Medical Center. She was 82.
Ms. Larkin was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and studied nursing, receiving her master's degree in pediatric nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. As a young nurse at New York Memorial Hospital she helped care for ailing baseball great Babe Ruth.
Her professor for classes at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia was C. Edward Koop, who became surgeon general of the United States during the administration of Ronald Reagan. She later taught nursing at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
After Ms. Larkin moved to California in the late 1950s, she taught nursing classes at Foothill and DeAnza community colleges. She retired in 1987. A good athlete, she enjoyed golf, tennis and skiing in her younger days, and kept up a daily regime of swimming and walking for many years, say family members.
Ms. Larkin is survived by her husband, Vincent R. Larkin of Menlo Park; son Vincent R. Larkin Jr. of Los Altos; and sister Joan Koerner of Tampa, Florida.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Jenne Kowtko
Mother of five
Jenne Kowtko, a resident of Menlo Park since 1965, died peacefully in her sleep at her home January 20. She was 78.
Ms. Kowtko was born in Niagara Falls, New York, to Italian immigrant parents. She was raised in Rochester, New York, and attended Syracuse University.
After moving to California in 1949, she marriage Michael "Mike" Kowtko. A homemaker, Ms. Kowtko was proud of her five children, who all graduated from Ivy League schools. She also raised four foster children. "My mother was a educational advocate," said her daughter, Sherry Kowtko. "Her children and her grandchildren were her life."
She is survived by her children, Sherry Kowtko of Menlo Park, Eveline Kowtko of Newburyport, Massachusetts, Jacqueline Kowtko of Half Moon Bay, Michael Kowtko of Redwood City, and John Kowtko of Redwood Shores; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Kowtko.
Services were held January 25. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller Hapgood & Tinney, Palo Alto.
Doris O'Brien
Menlo School's 'First Lady'
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, February 9, at Stanford Memorial Church for Doris M. O'Brien of Menlo Park. Ms. O'Brien, widow of former Menlo School and College president Dick O'Brien, died January 24. She was 81.
Ms. O'Brien was born and raised in Santa Barbara where, at age 14, she met her future husband, Dick O'Brien. They were marriage in 1943 and moved to the Bay Area after World War II. For the next 25 years Ms. O'Brien concentrated on raising their three daughters and making a home for the family. In addition to her talents as a homemaker, her flair for entertaining won many admirers, say family members.
In 1970 Mr. O'Brien became the president of Menlo School and College in Atherton. Over the next 17 years Ms. O'Brien became the school's most enthusiastic cheerleader and served as friend and mentor to generations of students, say family members.
After her husband's death in 1989, Ms. O'Brien, who was known as "Gram" to friends and family, served as a volunteer at Stanford Medical Center and kept up with a wide circle of friends.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Cretarolo of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Cindy Ford of Los Altos, and Sally O'Brien of Menlo Park; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Following the February 9 memorial service, there will be a reception at Menlo College. The family prefers memorials be made to a charity of choice.
Svea Ittner
Native of Sweden
Svea Ittner, a resident of Menlo Park since 1932, died January 26. At her request, no services will be held.
Ms. Ittner was born in Tolseboda, Sweden, in 1906 and came to the United States with her parents when she was six months old. She spent her youth growing up in the Pacific Northwest. She moved to San Francisco in 1923 and got a job as a "bindery girl" in a book binding shop, where she met her future husband, Albert Ittner.
After their marriage in 1928, the Ittners lived in San Francisco before moving to Menlo Park in 1932. Ms. Ittner was active with the cub scouts, and was a member of the Menlo Park Women's Club. She enjoyed traveling through the West with her husband and, later in life, took up Japanese painting.
Ms. Ittner is survived by her son, Richard Ittner of Menlo Park; and two grandsons. Her husband, Albert Ittner, died in 1983.
The family prefers donations to the American Cancer Society or a favorite charity. Arrangements were under the direction of Menlo Colonial Chapel.
Carolyn Mikkelsen
Former Atherton resident
Carolyn Mikkelsen died at her home in Aptos on January 23. She was 79.
Born in Bakersfield, Ms. Mikkelsen was a former Atherton resident, and was a homemaker. She was marriage to Axel Mikkelsen, who died in 1977. Family members said she enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, playing golf and being surrounded by her family. She was a member of the De Laveaga Women's Golf Group.
Ms. Mikkelsen is survived by her children, Karen Svihus of Aptos and Greg Mikkelsen of Desert Cove, Arizona; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at The House of Prayer in Watsonville. For the date and time, call 831-688-3953.
Mary Coe
Portola Valley resident
Mary Ricker (Plaisted) Coe, who was living in Honolulu during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, died January 27 in Portola Valley. She was 96.
Ms. Coe was born in Fresno and moved with her parents to San Diego. After attending business school in Los Angeles, she marriage Benjamin Coe, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, in 1929. The Coes traveled to many ports of call with their son, Benjamin, following the ships Maryland, Saratoga, Southard and Ross.
After Adm. Coe's retirement in 1950, the Coes returned from the Boston area to California. They lived in Los Angeles, La Jolla, and Menlo Park before moving to The Sequoias in Portola Valley. They had been marriage 60 years when Adm. Coe died in 1989.
Ms. Coe was a member of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. She taught and attended bible studies at both the church and The Sequoias. She was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
She is survived by her son, Benjamin P. Coe of Watertown, New York; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The Coes were also guardians of Daniel J. Carver of San Jose and Saralynn Carver of Mountain View.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. March 13 at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
The family prefers that donations be made to Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller Hapgood and Tinney in Palo Alto.
Salvador Laurel
Former vice president Philippines
Salvador "Doy" Laurel, a former vice president and senator in the Philippines, died January 27 in Atherton of complications arising from lymphoma, according to the Manila Times newspaper. He was 75.
Mr. Laurel came to the United States in June for treatment at Stanford Medical Center. His family had been staying at their Atherton home since November.
Mr. Laurel served as vice president to Corazon Aquino from 1986 to 1992. He was elected to the Philippine senate in 1967 and was named the most outstanding senator from 1968 to 1971, the newspaper reported.
An attorney, he was the son of the late Dr. Jose P. Laurel, president of the second Philippine Republic.
Philip Schneider
Former Rotary Club president
Philip Vanderbilt Schneider of Menlo Park, a former president of both the Menlo Park and Redwood City Rotary clubs, died February 11. He was 69.
Mr. Schneider was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. After he and his wife, Susan, moved to the Bay Area with their two young sons, he became active in community affairs.
He was a member of the Sequoia Union High School District's board of trustees, and a Rotarian for 43 years, starting with the Milpitas club. He brought the Menlo Park club into the computer age, says Susan Schneider.
Mr. Schneider was active in the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, serving as an usher and deacon. He was also a member of the men's Bible study group.
Mr. Schneider is survived by his wife Susan, sons Philip and George, and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be announced later.
Dr. James Stickler
Obstetrician/gynecologist
Dr. James Stickler, obstetrician-gynecologist at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation for more than 30 years, died February 8 at the age of 71. He was a longtime resident of Menlo Park.
Born in Kirksville, Missouri, Dr. Stickler attended the University of Missouri where he received his bachelor's and medical degrees. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the Phi Beta Pi medical fraternity.
He was president of the San Francisco Gynecological Society and served in the Air Force in the early 1960s.
After moving to Carmel Valley more than 10 years ago, he continued being active and enjoyed golf, tennis and skiing, family members said.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lois; children Mike Stickler, Kathy Schommer, Debbie Johnstone and Diane Namet; sister Fran Hopkins; and seven grandchildren. A service in celebration of his life has been held.
Julius Clarke
Pharmacist and clinical psychologist
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 21, at the Woodside Road United Methodist Church, 2000 Woodside Road, Redwood City for Julius (Jeff) Clarke of Atherton. Dr. Clarke died January 19 after a long illness. He was 83.
Born in Waco, Texas, he graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in petroleum engineering. He worked in the oil fields of West Texas before entering the service in 1942. He served in North Africa and Italy during World War II, attaining the rank of major.
After leaving the service, he received a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the UC San Francisco Medical Center. He owned Clarke's Pharmacies in Menlo Park, Redwood City and Palo Alto in the 1950s and another in Cupertino in the 1960s.
He later developed his own brand of pharmaceuticals, manufactured under the name of Professional Pharmaceutical Products.
After retiring in 1975, he received a master's degree in psychology and a master's degree in marriage, family and child counseling from the University of San Francisco, and a doctorate in psychology from Saybrook Institute in San Francisco.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol; daughter Leslie Mullins of Menlo Park; and one granddaughter.
Memorials may be made to Woodside Road United Methodist Church, the American Red Cross, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Corinne Schultz
Former Menlo Park resident
Corinne M. (Agrella) Kaylor Schultz died January 5 in Modesto after a long illness. She was 75.
Ms. Schultz, a longtime Menlo Park resident, moved from Revere, Massachusetts, to California in 1951. She was a telephone company employee in Palo Alto and then in Redwood City, retiring after 40 years.
Ms. Schultz is survived by her husband, Jim Schultz of Yountville; brother Robert Agrella of Richmond; daughters Antoinette Kaylor of San Francisco, Jamie Maryanne Fernandez of Sunnyvale, and Caralyn Patterson of Groveland; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held February 12 at Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park. Arrangements were under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries.
Memorials may be made to the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, 770 Welch Road, Suite 350, Palo Alto CA 94304.
