Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Jean Scherr
Services will be held Aug. 16 for Jean Scherr who died Tuesday in San Francisco after a three-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 68.
Ms. Scherr was born in Millers Falls, Mass.
She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.
She moved to the Bay Area in 1963 and worked at the University of California Medical Center. Following her employment at the center, she worked as an elementary school teacher and preschool paraprofessional for more than 20 years.
She enjoyed gardening and working with kids.
She is survived her husband, Steve Scherr of San Francisco; daughter Rachel Scherr of San Francisco; mother Laura Gralenski of Millers Falls, Mass.; and brothers Michael Gralenski of Millers Falls, Mass., Nicholas Gralenski of Aptos, John Gralenski of Shelburne, N.H., and Fred Gralenski of Pembroke, Maine.
Services will be Aug. 16. Time and location is pending.
Contributions are preferred to the Jean Scherr Memorial Bench in Strybing Arboretum in San Francisco or to the Coalition for Medical Marijuana in San Francisco.
July 19, 2003
Merle Meeks
Services will be Tuesday for Merle Meeks, who died Wednesday in Glendale, Ariz. She was 70.
Mrs. Meeks was born in Guthrie, Okla. She lived in Watsonville and San Jose before moving to the Phoenix area eight years ago.
Mrs. Meeks retired from the Internal Revenue Service seven years ago.
She is survived by her husband, Wayne; son Roger of Massachusetts; daughter Marjorie Ann Hall of Phoenix; brother William Tibbitts of Morgan Hill; sisters Claudine Lopes of Watsonville, Mildred Armstrong of Sacramento, Betty Jean Baker of Freedom and Maxine Bradley of Missouri; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Davis Memorial Chapel. Committal will be at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, as well as from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.
July 21, 2003
Hugh T. Paris Sr.
Services will be private for Hugh Thomas Paris Sr., who died Thursday in Kalispell, Mont. He was 87.
A native of Circle, Mont., the son of Scottish emigrants graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City, Mont., in 1934.
He attended Montana State College in Bozeman where he graduated in 1939 with a degree in architecture.
While attending school in Bozeman, he met his future wife, Harriet McCord, from Los Angeles. He was active in college, playing football for the Bobcats and serving as president of various campus clubs.
After graduation he taught school and coached for a year in a Stanford, Mont., high school before joining the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in 1940.
In Japan he served under Gen. Douglas McArthur and was later stationed in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in Nurnberg, Germany. He served in World War II and the Korean War. He also became chief of sports for the U.S. Army and was in charge of all Army athletes in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, he and his family settled in Santa Cruz in 1957 where he joined EBSCO industries, first on Walnut Avenue and then on 41st Avenue in Capitola. He was one of the first to regard 41st Avenue as a potential center of commerce, "back when it was still a cow pasture," his family members say.
He was a member of the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, Santa Cruz Rotary and served on the Dominican Hospital board. He became western regional manager and served on the board of directors of EBSCO.
In 1972 Mr. Paris and his wife moved to Kalispell with their two younger children. As he often said, "All Montanas go back home." After his retirement, he and his wife were avid golfers and bridge players, and spent winters in Hawaii.
In 1974 he bought and oversaw the management of the Glacier View Golf Course at the entrance to Glacier Park. He also served as a president of the Montana State Senior Golf Association in 1986.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Harriet, of Kalispell, Mont.; daughters Susanna Eaton of Sunset Beach in Watsonville and Heather Cleary of Richland, Wash; sons Thomas Paris of Cheney, Wash., and Hugh Paris Jr. of Peoria, Ariz.; and nine grandchildren.
Private services will be held at the golf course he once owned.
Contributions are preferred to the Kalispell Hospice, 1280 Burns Way, Kalispell, MT 59901.
July 22, 2003
HUGH THOMAS PARIS, SR.
Hugh Thomas Paris, Sr. passed away Thursday, July 17 in Kalispell, MT at the age of 87.
He was born to Thomas and Hyme (MacKenzie) Paris in Circle, MT on April 25, 1916. His parents emigrated from Scotland in 1912 and homesteaded in that area. They later moved to Miles City, MT where Hugh graduated from Custer County High School in 1934.
He attended Montana State College in Bozeman where he graduated in 1939 with a degree in agriculture.
While attending school in Bozeman, he met his future wife, Harriet McCord from Los Angeles. Hugh was very active in college, playing football for the Bobcats and president of various campus clubs and organizations.
After graduation, he taught school and coached at Stanford, MT for a year before joining the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in 1940.
After a long-distance courtship, Hugh and Harriet were marriage August 30, 1942 in Springfield, MO where Hugh was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood. Hugh had a distinguished career in the Army that took him and his family to many different posts. In Japan he served under General Douglas McArthur and later was stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, DC and in Nurnberg, Germany. He served in both WWII and the Korean War. He also became chief of sports for the US Army and was in charge of all the Army athletes in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.
Retiring as a Lt. Colonel, Hugh and his family settled in Santa Cruz in 1957 where he joined EBSCO Industries; first on Walnut Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz and then one of the first businesses to develop an office building on 41st Avenue in Capitola. He was a member of the Santa Cruz Elks Club, Santa Cruz Rotary and served on the board of Dominican Hospital. He became Western Regional Manager and served on the board of directors of EBSCO which was based in Birmingham, AL.
In 1972, Hugh and Harriet moved to Kalispell with their 2 younger children. As he often remarked, "all Montanans go back home". Following his retirement in 1977, Hugh and Harriet enjoyed their time by spending winters in Hawaii and summers in Kalispell. As a couple they were avid golfers and bridge players enjoying many games with their large circle of friends.
In 1974 Hugh purchased and enjoyed overseeing the management of Glacier View Golf Course at the entrance to Glacier Park. He also served as president of the Montana State Senior Golf Association in 1986. Hugh was a special individual to all who knew him. He had an endless enthusiasm and a zest for life. From such humble beginnings he lived his life to the fullest and loved his family and his many friends. He possessed great strength of character, was very generous, and had a very strong work ethic. He will be missed very much by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Harriet, of Kalispell; daughter Susanna Eaton and her husband Ray of Sunset Beach in Watsonville; son Thomas of Cheney, Washington; daughter Heather Cleary and her husband Joe of Richland, WA; and son Hugh Paris, Jr. and his wife Joyce of Peoria, AZ; as well as his nine grandchildren; Sybil Paris Armstrong, Michael McCord Noble, Benjamin Noble, Arwen & Cameron Paris, Elizabeth and John Cleary and Kathryn & Meghan Paris.
He requested that no funeral or memorial service be held. Arrangements and cremation will be conducted by Johnson Mortuary in Kalispell. A private family gathering for inurnment is planned later this summer in Glacier Park. In lieu of flowers and in keeping with his wishes, the family requests that donations be directed to Kalispell Hospice, 1280 Burns Way, Kalispell, MT 59901.
July 22, 2003
Jessie Rodriguez
Services will be Thursday for Jessie Rodriguez, who died Sunday at her home in Watsonville. She was 39.
A Santa Cruz native, she lived in the Monterey Bay area all her life.
Mrs. Rodriguez was a cook and teacher’s aide for the Porter-Vallejo Community Center for the past 13 years. She was a member of the Church of the Assumption in Pajaro and enjoyed camping, jogging, bike riding and working out at the spa.
She is survived by husband Robert Rodriguez of Watsonville; daughters Terra of Watsonville and Crystal of Idaho; brother Tony Dominguez of Watsonville; sisters Esther Cabrera of Salinas and Laura Valdez of Hollister; parents Jesus and Nellie Dominguez of Watsonville; grandparents Andres Dominguez of Texas and Miguel Cabesuela of Watsonville; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call 2-5 p.m. Wednesday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel. The rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of the Assumption.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, also at Assumption.
She will be buried at Valley Cemetery.
July 22, 2003
Thomas S. Lindsay
Services will be later for Thomas Scott Lindsay of Capitola, who died Saturday. He was 46.
He had been a Santa Cruz County resident for the past six months.
Lindsay, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., was a director for several health-care education groups.
He is survived by brothers Robert Lindsay Jr. and John Lindsay, both of Fort Wayne; and sisters Linda Holt of Oakland and Laura Smart of Pleasant Lake, Ind.
Arrangements are by Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel.
July 22, 2003
Roberto Valdivia
Services will be Thursday for Roberto Valdivia, who died Monday in a Fresno hospital from injuries suffered in a Fresno County car accident. He was 50.
A native of Guanajuato, Mexico, he had lived in Watsonville about 20 years. He had been a strawberry worker for several years at Larson Farms.
He is survived by his wife, Maria Juarez Valdivia of Watsonville; sons Gerardo, Roberto Carlos and Brandon Valdivia, all of Watsonville; father Raimundo Valdivia of Mexico City; several brothers and sisters in Mexico; and a grandson.
A vigil service will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Church. Cremation will follow. Friends may call 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday At Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.
July 23, 2003
Esther M. Canham
Services will be Saturday for Esther M. Canham, who died Friday at her home in Watsonville. She was 90.
A native of Delta, Utah, she had lived in Watsonville since 1945.
She was a high school secretary for about 10 years in Lompoc and was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was a Girl Scout leader for several years when her daughters were growing up.
She is survived by daughters Roberta Canham of Watsonville, Carol Payne of Sparks, Nev., and Susanne Skjefte of Corralitos; and a grandson.
Her husband, Edward G. Canham, died in 2000.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 480 S. Green Valley Road, Watsonville.
Cremation will be under the direction of Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.
July 23, 2003
