Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Donna Donovan
Community volunteer
Donna Lorraine Donovan, a resident of Menlo Park for 50 years, died February 26 of lung cancer, three days after her 81st birthday.
Ms. Donovan was born in Huron, South Dakota. She was a graduate of the Radford School for Girls in Texas, and attended Mary Washington College in Virginia, where she was president of her freshman class and received a teaching certificate
In 1942 she was marriage to John Donovan in Richmond, Virginia. When her children were of school age, Ms. Donovan was active in the PTA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She raised prize-winning West Highland White Terriers and was appointed to the board of directors of the West Highland White Terrier Club.
For 42 years, Ms. Donovan was a charter member of the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club, where she was captain of the Ladies 18-hole Golf Group. She was a member of Friends of Filoli and a volunteer at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Menlo Park. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, gardening, writing poetry, reading, and playing games, such as contract and duplicate bridge, say family members.
The Donovans traveled extensively in Europe, Mexico and the United States.
Ms. Donovan is survived by her husband, John Donovan of Menlo Park; children, Sandra Lee Wenning of Cary, North Carolina, Judith Ann Thomson of Maui, Hawaii, Linda Louise Olson of Woodinville, Washington, and Michael Dennis Donovan of Dallas, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were under the direction of the John O'Connor Menlo Colonial Chapel in Menlo Park. A private celebration of Ms. Donovan's life will be announced later. The family prefers donations to Pathways Health and Hospice, 201 San Antonio Road, Suite 135, Mountain View, CA 94040, in recognition of its care of Ms. Donovan.
Dennis Siden
Mechanical engineer
Dennis Carl Siden, a Portola Valley resident for more than 30 years, died February 27 at the age of 58.
Mr. Siden was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned a master's degree in product design management from the University of Westminster in England. A mechanical engineer, he worked as director of advanced product development for Raychem Corp. in Menlo Park, retiring in 1996 after 27 years there. He holds multiple international patents.
A boating enthusiast and pilot, Mr. Siden was a member of the Sequoia Yacht Club. He also enjoyed working with wood and metal, designing jewelry and restoring antique shop machines.
Mr. Siden is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jennifer; son Daniel Siden; daughter Joanna Reed and her husband, David E. Reed II; and a grandchild due May 11.
Services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Russell & Gooch Funeral Chapel in Mill Valley.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in San Francisco or to Stanford University's Asian Liver Center.
Elizabeth Fisher Stedman
Resident of The Sequoias
Elizabeth Fisher Stedman, a resident of The Sequoias retirement community in Portola Valley since 1990, died February 9. She was 93.
Mrs. Stedman was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and was born in a manse in Mendocino. Growing up, she lived in Gilroy and Palo Alto, where she was raised by her aunt after losing both parents by the age of 14.
She graduated from Palo Alto High School and Pomona College, and taught elementary school in Mountain View before marrying Marcus Stedman, an architect and builder from Palo Alto, where the couple settled and raised three children. Mr. Stedman died in 1980.
Mrs. Stedman was a longtime supporter of the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Among her other interests were sewing, reading, a fascination with the stock market, and a lifelong curiosity about plants, said daughter Jean Stedman Robertson of Palo Alto. As a widow in her late 80s, she continued to drive herself to the rustic family cabin near Lake Tahoe.
Mrs. Stedman is survived by her son Jon Marcus Stedman of San Francisco; daughters Janet Stedman Gibson of Tucson and Jean Stedman Robertson of Palo Alto; and three grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to be donated to the Elizabeth F. Stedman Fund for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in care of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, 770 Welch Road, Suite 350, Palo Alto, CA 94304.
Joseph M. Frankle
Former lighting salesman
Joseph M. Frankle of Menlo Park died March 3 at Stanford Medical Center following a long illness. He was 87.
A former longtime resident of Cupertino, Mr. Frankle was a wholesale lighting salesman and active throughout his life in Freemasonry and B'nai B'rith.
Mr. Frankle was preceded in death by his two wives, Pearl in 1964 and Helga in 1995. He is survived by his sons, Bob Frankle of Menlo Park, Nick Frankle of Thousand Oaks, and Alan Frankle of Rockville, Maryland; and six grandchildren.
Interment will be in Washington, D.C. A local memorial service is being planned. Contributions in his name may be made to a charity he administered: Dentistry for the Handicapped, the Humanitarian Foundation, 1696 Brice Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 43068. Arrangements were under the direction of John D. O'Connor Menlo Colonial Chapel.
Service set for Jane Gallagher
A tribute to Jane Gallagher, Portola Valley artist and founder of the town's Cultural Arts Committee, is being planned for 1 p.m. Sunday, March 21, in the Historic Schoolhouse at Portola Valley Town Center, 765 Portola Road.
Ms. Gallagher, whose paintings and sketches reflect her love of the land and respect for the environment, died January 17 at Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City after a brief illness.
Her friends on the Cultural Arts Committee are planning a reception immediately after the tribute. They have established the Jane Gallagher Memorial Arts Fund, in care of Bank of America, 2180 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park 94025.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Jane Gallagher Memorial Arts Fund or the Committee for Green Foothills.
Arthur Vane
Microwave engineer
Arthur Bayard Vane of Menlo Park, a pioneer in microwave engineering, died March 14 after a long illness. He was 88.
Mr. Vane was born in Portland, Maine. He received a bachelor's degree in physical chemistry from the University of Washington in 1937 and a master's degree in the same field from Oregon State College in 1941.
During World War II he was asked to work on the development of microwave radar at the radiation lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
From 1947 to 1949, Mr. Vane was a research associate at the Stanford Microwave Laboratory and received a degree of engineer from Stanford in 1949. That year, he joined Varian Associates, where he designed and produced a comprehensive line of microwave test equipment. Varian sold the line of equipment to Hewlett Packard, where it became the basis for Hewlett Packard's line of microwave test equipment.
He left Varian in 1962 to work at Melabs, Sonoma Engineering and Research and Addington Laboratories, returning to Varian three times for higher positions. He retired from Varian in 1978.
Mr. Vane held many patents on equipment he designed, and published extensively in engineering journals on his work with microwave devices, say family members.
He was a member of the American Association of the Advancement of Science, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Sigma Pi Sigma, Sigma Xi, the American Chemical Society and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc.
After retiring, Mr. Vane and his wife, Sylvia, traveled with Stanford alumni groups and Elderhostel all over the globe. He was interested in stereophonic music, and, while his children were small, family camping, according to his family. He also was an avid reader all his life.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto for more than 50 years. He was active with the Palo Alto-Stanford Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and the Community Committee for International Students at Stanford.
Mr. Vane is survived by his wife, Sylvia; children Ronald Vane, Linda Vane, and Laura Ames; sisters Marjorie Carpentier and Ivy Williams; three grandchildren; and 15 nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held March 27. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller Hapgood & Tinney. The family prefers memorials be made to the Stanford Engineering Fund or the Outreach Fund of the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto.
Doryce McKelvy
Business partner and developer
Doryce Kathryn McKelvy, who was a business partner with her husband, Alfred, in the McKelvy Oil Co., died March 16 at the Atherton home where she had lived since 1949.
Ms. McKelvy attended Columbia University in New York City and worked for the A.D. McKelvy Co., where she met her husband. They were marriage in 1947.
After many years in the company's cosmetics business, she helped her husband start and build the McKelvy Oil Co., a business of wildcatting for oil and gas-tapping into the Hugoton gas field. The couple also developed parcels of property in San Mateo, Redwood City, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Monterey, and Brazoria County, Texas.
Ms. McKelvy was a member of the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, and the Beach and Tennis Club of Pebble Beach. She was a Pink Lady at Stanford Hospital. In later years, she made philanthropic gifts to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Humane Society, the Kidney Foundation and the American Heart Association.
She is survived by her sons, Alfred "Tod" McKelvy and J. Dorian McKelvy; a sister, Eleanor Batyos of Teaneck, New Jersey; a brother, August Kellermann of New Canaan, Connecticut; and four grandchildren. Her husband, Arthur, preceded her in death.
Burial took place in Atchison, Kansas. Memorial services are pending. The family prefers donations be made to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.
Memorial services are pending. Arrangements are under the direction of Redwood Chapel, Redwood City.
Ruth Bonham
Longstanding church member
Ruth E. Bonham, who was born in what is now Atherton in 1913, died March 18 at age 90.
At the time of her death Ms. Bonham was the longest-standing member of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, according to church historian Bill Russ. Ms. Bonham joined the church in 1927 and was listed as member No. 194.
Ms. Bonham lived in Menlo Park in her earlier years and was a resident of Palo Alto at the time of her death. She worked as a seamstress with Roos-Atkins clothing store in Palo Alto, doing men's clothing alterations.
She was an avid traveler and enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii. She and a group of women friends called themselves the "Lunch Bunch" and would meet regularly at different restaurants, according to her nephew, Barry Johnson.
She is survived by her niece, Carolyn Gulledge, and nephews Brian and Barry Johnson, all of Menlo Park. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Bonham.
At her request, no services were held. She was buried
at Alta Mesa Memorial Park. The family prefers memorials be made to a charity of choice. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller Hapgood & Tinney.
Walt Key
Walt Key, who served as an educator at Hillview School in the Menlo Park City School District from 1955 to 1986, died December 28 at his home in Paradise, California. He was 76.
Mr. Key was born in Iowa and graduated from Michigan Normal Teachers College, now known as Eastern Michigan University.
He taught in the Midwest for five years before moving to California in 1955 as a newlywed with his wife, Joanne.
Mr. Key's entire California career in education was spent at Hillview School. For five years he was a teacher; for another five years he was assistant principal before becoming principal. During his 21 years at Hillview, it was first a kindergarten through eighth-grade school, then became a middle school for seventh- and eighth-grade students. He retired to Paradise in 1986.
During his retirement, he enjoyed working in his garage workshop and gardening, say family members.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne, of Paradise; and son, James, of Brentwood. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Donald Halvorson
Don Halvorson died February 28 in Kaiser Hospital in Roseville, from continuing complications following earlier surgery for an abdominal aneurysm. He was 77.
Mr. Halvorson was a native of Tracy, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II, and was educated at South Dakota State College. He began his teaching career in South Dakota, where at 25 he became the state's youngest superintendent of schools.
He marriage Doris Jungwirth and moved to California in 1954. Mr. Halvorson taught at Green Oaks School in East Palo Alto for three years before moving to Oak Knoll School in the Menlo Park City School District, where he taught for nine years.
From 1966 to 1985, he was a core teacher for the seventh and eighth grade at Hillview School, also in the Menlo Park district. He retired in 1985.
"Don loved teaching, and was an advocate for those in need," says his wife. "He was completely insistent on civil rights for everyone and integration of the schools."
He marched with Cesar Chavez, walked in peace marches to protest the Vietnam War and the Iraq War, and slept in homeless shelters to learn the needs of the people there, says Ms. Halvorson.
Among the many organizations he worked for were the Catholic Inter-Racial Council, the first human relations committee of the Menlo Park Teachers Association, the task force for integrated elementary education, and the committee to desegregate Sequoia Union High School District. He was given an honorary life membership in the Menlo Park City School District PTA. The Halvorsons moved to El Dorado Hills in 1997.
Mr. Halvorson is survived by his wife of 53 years, Doris; daughters Sally and Shelley; sons Robin, Ronald and Terry; two sisters; and nine grandchildren.
Mary Anne Beswick
Community volunteer
Mary Anne Beswick died of cancer on April 20 at her Menlo Park home. She was 68.
Ms. Beswick was born in Tacoma, Washington, and attended Seattle University before moving to San Francisco in 1958 to pursue a career in insurance. She marriage Daniel E. Beswick in 1962.
After having three children, Ms. Beswick was active in community affairs. She was a member of the Creative Initiative Foundation and Parents Who Care, and belonged to a variety of political, international and community-based organizations, say family members.
In 1990 Ms. Beswick returned to college to finish her undergraduate degree at the University of San Francisco, where she graduated in 1991. She took painting and drawing classes at the Cultural Center of Palo Alto and her work hangs in the homes of friends, family and admirers, say family members. In 1997 she became an executive assistant for an Internet start-up company, retiring in 2000.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel K. Beswick; children, Karen Beswick Salas of Menlo Park, Kimberly Beswick of Boise, Idaho, and Brian Beswick of Burlingame; her sister, Virginia Rivers of Reno; three brothers, Allen, Richard and Eugene Rivers, all of Tacoma, Washington; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at the Beswicks' Menlo Park home. Call 556-1560 for information.
The family prefers that donations in Ms. Beswick's name be made to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, P.O. Box 161150, Austin, TX 78716; and Habitat for Humanity, 690 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063.
Thomas R. Harrison
Sports, parks advocate
A memorial service was held February 29 for Thomas R. Harrison, a longtime Menlo Park resident who died at home on February 22 after an illness. Mr. Harrison, 64, chaired the city's Parks and Recreation Commission and was active in expanding athletic opportunities in Menlo Park.
Mr. Harrison is survived by his wife, Mavis; daughter Sarah Sorensen of San Carlos; son Jonathan of Menlo Park; and sister Susan Herman of Auburn, California.
The family prefers that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society at 1650 South Amphlett Blvd., Suite 110, San Mateo, CA 94402.
Arrangements were under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries in Menlo Park.
Bernard Segulyev
Willow Road Market owner
Bernard Segulyev, a Menlo Park resident for 57 years, died at home February 24. He was 95.
Mr. Segulyev was born in San Bruno and moved in 1946 to Menlo Park, where he purchased the Willow Road Market. He and his wife, Isabelle, operated the market until they sold it and retired in 1974.
After retiring, Mr. Segulyev volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels. He had been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 1955.
Mr. Segulyev is survived by his children, Barry Segulyev, Sandra Cuen and Linda Stoddart; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. His wife of 57 years, Isabelle, preceded him in death.
Services were held March 1 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Menlo Park. The family prefers donations in Mr. Segulyev's memory be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the ward of your choosing. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller Hapgood & Tinney, Palo Alto.
Edgerton Scott
Venture capital partner
Edgerton "Edgie" Scott III, managing director of Lighthouse Capital Partners, a venture capital firm in Menlo Park, died unexpectedly February 22. He was 60.
Mr. Scott had more than 25 years of experience investing in emerging growth companies. He joined Lighthouse Capital Partners in 1999; prior to that he founded Imperial Bank's emerging growth division.
From 1984 to 1990, he was president and founder of BNP Venture Capital, the U.S. venture capital arm of Banque Nationale de Paris.
Mr. Scott lived in Point Arena, California, and is survived by his wife, Sandy; four children; and one grandchild.
A memorial was held February 28 at the Menlo Circus Club. Donations may be made to Friends of Coast Community Library Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 808, Point Arena, CA 95468.
Arvin Henderson
Pediatrician
Dr. Arvin T. Henderson, a pediatrician who cared for local children for more than 35 years, died January 21. A longtime resident of Portola Valley, he was 84.
Dr. Henderson graduated from Indiana University, where he received his bachelor of science and doctor of medicine degrees. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and the Korean War. Between service duties, he completed pediatric residencies in New York City and Detroit. He was commander of a U.S. Naval hospital serving Marines behind the lines in Korea during the Korean War.
After leaving the service, he opened his pediatric practice on Welch Road near the Stanford University Medical Center. He was a member of the Stanford University Hospital clinical faculty for many years.
After retiring in 1990, Dr. Henderson pursued his interest in genealogical research and traveled widely.
Dr. Henderson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Julia; children, Arvin T. Henderson Jr., Philip Henderson, Susan Henderson Cannon and Janice H. Lahr; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A family celebration of his life has been held. Burial was at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno.
