Dorothy Jean Blythe
Dorothy Jean Blythe left her mark on a lot of people in the lifetime she spent on the Coastside: on fellow employees at the Blue Gate Candle Factory that existed in Moss Beach, students and staff of the Cabrillo Unified School District in the years she worked there in food service, and on her family.
"She was a kind and loving woman to her husband, her mother and her children," said a grieving Fred Blythe, her husband of six years.
To that, add her sister, said that sister Patricia Rychecky of Half Moon Bay.
Mrs. Blythe died Jan. 26 at Peninsula Hospital in San Mateo, following a brief illness. She was 52.
Mrs. Blythe was born Dorothy Jean Mason on July 7, 1950, and raised in Half Moon Bay. She went through school on the coast, graduating from Half Moon Bay High in 1968.
She went to work for the Blue Gate Candle Factory in Moss Beach for about eight years. Later, she went to work for the school district, in food service at the high school and Cunha Intermediate School.
Outside of work, Mrs. Blythe was known as a quiet woman, and an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers football team. But since the 49ers were not playing in this year's Super Bowl, she "settled for the Raiders," said her sister, and was disappointed when they lost.
Mrs. Blythe is preceded in death by her brothers, Edward Mason and Richard Mason, and by her father, Edward Mason, Sr.
She is survived by her second husband, Fred Blythe, her daughters Jessica Mangrubang and Rachael Mangrubang, her mother, Evelyn Mason, and her sister, Patricia Rychecky, all of Half Moon Bay.
She is also survived by an aunt and uncle, Buzz and Dina Myers of Half Moon Bay, and a niece, Rita Coggeshall, of San Mateo.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31 [2003] at Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church in Half Moon Bay. Private inurnment will take place at Skylawn Memorial Park.
George W. Bonham
Former magazine editor George W. Bonham, formerly of Half Moon Bay and recently of Fairfield, died March 30 at age 77, in the Waveny Care Center in New Canaan, Conn.
Mr. Bonham was the editor-in-chief of Change, a well-respected opinion magazine dealing with contemporary issues in higher learning.
He was born in the Free City of Danzig on Aug. 12, 1924, the son of the late Kate and Walter Boenheim. The family moved to Columbus, Ohio, in the late 1930s.
He received his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University and then his master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University. He also studied at Oxford University in England and was the recipient of three honorary doctorate degrees.
He was a member of the University Club and enjoyed writing, classical music and nature. He was also nationally recognized as an authority on college and university affairs and was listed in the Who's Who in America.
During World War II he served in the Army as an interviewer of German prisoners of war.
He and his wife, Sandra Timmerman Bonham, lived for 12 years in Half Moon Bay prior to moving to Fairfield five years ago.
Mr. Bonham is survived by his wife, Sandra Timmerman Bonham, of Fairfield, and their two children and their families, Faith Bonham Silver, husband Jared and children Jamie and Lauren, of Barrington, Ill., and Mark David Bonham, wife Joni and children Kate and Eric, of Palo Alto.
He is also survived by brothers Frank Bonheim of Jacksonville, Fla., and Helmut Bonheim of Koln, Germany.
A memorial service will be held today, April 3, [2002] at 2 p.m. at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church at 1045 Old Academy Road in Fairfield. Private burial services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the National Alzheimers Association at 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, Ill. 60611, designated for research.
William H. Isaac
William H. Isaac was best remembered by his wife for his steady devotion - to family, to friends and to his country, as a 30-year Navy veteran dedicated to the service.
"The Navy and his family were his life," said his wife, Roz Isaac of Half Moon Bay, "and he was ours."
Mr. Isaac died Sept 20 [2002] at Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City at age 74, following respiratory arrest due to lung disease and renal failure.
His death was a result of service-related disability, said his wife, which meant, she said, "He gave his life for his country."
Mr. Isaac was born in Elizabeth, N.J., and went into the Navy in 1945 while still in his teens.
He went into medical work through the service, training as a Navy medic and earning a bachelor of science degree from the University of San Francisco in behavioral sciences.
In his early years in the service, Mr. Isaac went to Panama, Saudi Arabia and Trinidad, among other faraway places. He married his wife, Roz, in 1954, and his travels continued even as he raised a family.
"He was a wonderful guy, a loving, caring person," said his wife. "He was devoted to the military. He was a devoted husband and family man."
Stateside, he served in New York, Virginia, Whidby Island in Washington state, Seattle and San Diego. Outside of the United States, he traveled to Saipan, Guam and Vietnam.
He was known as a "tin can sailor," a nickname for one who serves aboard destroyers. Those ships included the Tapahanack, the Comstock and the Gurke.
His military honors included the Navy Achievement Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal and numerous other service medals.
He retired from the Navy in 1975, and went to work for the State of California as a health inspector, monitoring nursing homes, a job he held until 1985.
He and his family loved the Bay Area and settled here, first in San Francisco in 1970 and then in Pacifica, where they lived for 12 years.
Mr. Isaac also loved travel, and while in the Navy, had loved to take his grandchildren on camping trips.
"We used to go everywhere with those grandchildren," his wife fondly recalled.
After his retirement, he was particularly avid about traveling in his RV. He and Roz spent five years as "full-timers," traveling full-time in the vehicle. Many of those travels were undertaken with the naval Fleet Reserve Association S.M.A.R.T. - Special Military and Retired Travelers - RV club.
"He lived for that," Roz said.
His travels continued until advancing kidney failure and dialysis required that he stop. He and his wife settled in Half Moon Bay 13 years ago.
On the Coastside, Mr. Isaac was involved with the Coastside Jewish Community and the American Legion. He was also a longtime member of the Masons (having joined in 1954) and, through the Masons, the Scottish Rite, and a Shriner.
Mr. Isaac is survived by his wife of 47 years, Roz Isaac of Half Moon Bay, his daughters Chelle (and husband Art) Owens of Marin County and Julie Tamura of Moss Beach, and three grandchildren and their spouses Jennifer and Roy Bryant of San Jose, Sasha and Norval Hendrix of Moss Beach, and Ari Tamura and finacŽe Cynthia Dimak of Moss Beach.
He is also survived by great-granddaughters Monique Hendrix and Haylee Bryant. And he is survived by his nieces Geri Porter and her daughter Amber of Texas, Cheri Erickson and children Tawny and Ryan (who is also in the Navy) of Southern California, Teri Eisman and children Nicholas, Alexander and Megan of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Debbie and Tim Hanley and children Britney and Brice of Simi Valley. And he is survived by a sister- and brother-in-law, Elaine and Les Rosenberg of Burbank.
Mr. Isaac had requested to be cremated and his ashes will be scattered. A memorial service is forthcoming at a future date to be determined. His wife said she hopes to hold the ceremony at the Golden Gate National Cemetery.
Richard Calvin
Richard Calvin, a longtime teacher and coach at Half Moon Bay High School, died on Dec. 1 [2002] after a long illness. He was 83.
Mr. Calvin is remembered fondly as a longtime cross country coach at Half Moon Bay High School. He coached the Cougars from 1970-1997. Four of his boys' teams won Central Coast Section titles. In 1978, the girls' team won the CCS title when the cross country championship was a one-division competition.
The 1994 boys' team, led by Justin Stern, not only won the CCS Division IV title, but also finished third at the state meet. That's the highest showing ever by a boys' team from San Mateo County.
But there was more to Mr. Calvin than coaching the cross country team. He also coached frosh-soph baseball and basketball.
"He liked sports," said his wife, Lita Calvin. "He felt it was good for all the kids to participate in sports."
He was a full-time teacher at Half Moon Bay High School for 26 years. He started by teaching English, but also taught math.
"He taught a little bit of everything," Lita Calvin said.
The Calvins arrived in Half Moon Bay in 1960, and have been here since.
Though he retired from coaching, Calvin's legacy has remained. He founded the Artichoke Invitational, a Half Moon Bay cross country meet that attracts as many as 3,000 runners from throughout Northern California.
He said that he started after watching Half Moon Bay get swallowed up by larger schools at meets the Cougars attended. So Mr. Calvin started the Artichoke Invitational as a chance for the Cougars and other small schools to have a chance to compete on a more even field.
The Invitational has since grown to include both large and small schools, separated by divisions based upon each school's population.
While the meet was a success, it did put a damper on the Calvins' lives. The couple had trouble celebrating their wedding anniversary because it came right around the Artichoke Invitational.
At first, retiring from coaching was difficult to deal with, Mr. Calvin said in an interview. But that void was eased a bit by the fact that Kevin Ostenberg was the coach.
"He was very fond of Kevin," Calvin said. "It made it easier for Dick."
During part of his time coaching in the 1980s, he was also the high school sports reporter for the Half Moon Bay Review.
Calvin is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lita, and a son, Steve.
No services are planned.
Mr. Calvin is scheduled to be cremated, and his ashes scattered at his favorite places.
Patrick Rockwell Powers
As he and his teammates struggled to propel their kayak along in his latest race, Tsunami Rangers kayak master Michael Powers thought of his brother, Patrick, who had just passed away.
"Patrick, help us out!" Powers said he thought, and, he said, he felt an unexpected flood of energy.
Patrick Rockwell Powers of Half Moon Bay, brother to local kayak pioneer Michael Powers, died May 3 at El Camino Hospital at age 61 following a long illness.
Born in Washington, Mr. Powers grew up in northern Idaho, where his grandparents had been pioneer loggers and ranchers. Following a brief career as a drummer in a rock band and service in the Army as a Nike Missile specialist in Germany where he rose to the rank of sergeant, he came to Half Moon Bay in the late 1960s to become a photographer.
With his brother Michael and a group of friends, he shared a studio on Miramar Beach, and created photographic images of the back-to-nature and "soft touch" posters and greeting cards that were popular at that time. The wilderness skills and rapport with the natural world that Mr. Powers had developed in the mountains of Idaho, all contributed to his success as a photographer specializing on people in nature and in animals as his subjects.
Mr. Powers was married to the former Juliet Newell, now deceased, who was the mother of their two daughters, Noel and Karina, and late son Rocky. The family had lived in Montara.
In the 1980s, when his daughters were teenagers, Mr. Powers acquired a herd of mostly thoroughbred horses, which he pastured in the fields adjoining the Half Moon Bay golf course and Strawberry Ranch. His daughters became expert equestrians, and many of his dramatic photographs of them racing their horses along the beach or in other scenic Coastside locations appeared in national publications.
"Folks who knew Patrick," said his brother Michael, "fondly recall him as energetic and creative, yet a friendly and generous man with a beautiful smile who would always stop what he was doing to lend others a hand."
Mr. Powers is preceded in death by his son Rocky. He is survived by his life partner, fellow photographer Cherryl Schafer, and daughters Noel Powers of San Mateo and Karina Powers of Los Altos. He is also survived by brothers Michael Powers (and wife Nani) of Half Moon Bay and Terry Powers of Florida, and sisters Vickie Balinger and Peggy Harshaw, both of Tennessee.
A memorial service for Mr. Powers will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, [2003] on Miramar Beach. Friends may call his brother Michael at 726-2748 for more information.
Catherine Evelyn Fowler
Catherine Evelyn Fowler, a Coastside resident for more than 40 years, died July 21 [2003] at her home in Half Moon Bay. She was 80.
Mrs. Fowler was born April 9, 1923 in Milwaukee. At age 18, she began working for the FBI as a secretary. Following that, about a year later, she joined the United States Marines.
During World War II, she was among the first women shipped with the Marines overseas to Hawaii. She spent about two years there, where she reached the rank of corporal and continued her secretCourier work.
After her time in the service, she returned to Wisconsin and studied English at Marquette University. Previously married twice, she married for a third time to Frank Fowler in the mid-1950s, a marriage that continued until Mr. Fowler's death in 1986.
Having relocated to California shortly after their wedding, Mrs. Fowler continued studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and San Francisco State University, which culminated in her earning a master's degree in English.
Her husband was both a teacher of science and a principal at Pescadero High School, and Mrs. Fowler followed him into the classroom. From the 1950s until 1973, she taught seventh- and eighth-grade English in Pescadero, to elementary- and high-school students. After that, she moved to Boron, not far from Bakersfield, and taught seventh- and eighth-grade English before leaving the profession to devote herself to being a homemaker. She returned to Half Moon Bay 11 years ago.
Mrs. Fowler loved reading, according to her daughter, Amy McClellan of Quincy. In particular, she devoured mysteries, the works of famous English authors and love stories.
"You should see her place," McClellan said. "It looks like a library."
Mrs. Fowler was a people person who loved having family around her, said her daughter. She enjoyed going to the YMCA, swimming, tai chi and the company of her many friends.
"She was very loving and outgoing, honest and sweet," said her daughter. "Just my best friend."
Her husband, Frank, and a son, Barry O'Brien, precede Mrs. Fowler in death.
She is survived by her sons Jim Stoke of Milwaukee and David O'Brien of Atherton; her daughters, Mary P. Holz Bower of Milwaukee and Amy McClellan of Quincy; her stepchildren, John Fowler of Loma Mar, Lynn
Gartner of Roseville, Alexa Menezes of Half Moon Bay and Andrea Periat of Pescadero.
Six grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive her.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, [2003] at the Robin Hood Lodge No. 2, "The Lodge" Senior Center on Bloom Lane in Half Moon Bay, which will be attended by a Marine contingent. A potluck luncheon will follow.
Mrs. Fowler had chosen to donate her body to medical science for research. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the University of California, San Francisco, 44 Montgomery St., Suite 2200, San Francisco, CA 94104.
Florence "Pat" Thring
Florence "Pat" Thring knew just what to do when bad times came, said her daughter, former Half Moon Bay resident Caroline Fraley.
"She pulled up her bootstraps and kept going," Fraley said. "She was always a really positive person."
Mrs. Thring, a nine-year Half Moon Bay resident, died Sept. 20 [2002] at the age of 91 at Seton Medical Center Coastside.
She had been born and raised in Aylesbury Bucks, outside of London, England. She married her husband, Victor Thring, there; the marriage lasted for 23 years before the couple divorced.
Mrs. Thring first learned about California when her aunt visited and "told her about how beautiful California was and how the weather was always nice," Fraley recalled. As a result, in 1957, "We came for a trip and we never came back."
Mrs. Thring settled in the Bay Area, living in San Francisco and Piedmont before coming to the Coastside in 1993.
She was a homemaker throughout her life, though she held a number of jobs through the years. But she was known for her love of music and theater. She was involved in three Bay Area musical and theatrical organizations: the San Francisco Theatrical Club, the Thespian Theatrical Club also in San Francisco, and the Old-Time Vaudeville and Dramatic Club in Oakland.
Through these organizations, she performed and sang, particularly in traditional British productions like "My Fair Lady" and shows "with an English background," Fraley said.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother and a generous woman who "would give you the shirt off her back" and who held a generally optimistic outlook and faith in life, her daugher said. Church was important to her, and she raised her family to believe in something higher. "Now we all realize what she tried to say," Fraley said.
Fraley also added that her mother was "a lady to the end. She always wore a hat."
Mrs. Thring was involved with the Coastside Adult Day Health Center, and assisted by its Meals on Wheels program.
She is survived by daughters Caroline Fraley, formerly of Half Moon Bay and now living in Livermore, Michele Bold of San Jose and Angela Clark of La Selva Beach.
She is also survived by grandchildren Mindy Tetherow of Half Moon Bay, Sean Clark and Gabriella Clark of La Selva Beach, and Brad Thompson, Tiffany Thompson, Charise Thompson, Kindra Sullivan, Paige Bold, Scott Bold, and Pam Bold, all of San Jose, and great-grandchildren Gabriel Reese and Phiefer RenŽe of San Jose.
A memorial service will be held by the Neptune Society on Friday, Oct.11 at 11 a.m. at 1645 El Camino Real in Belmont.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Coastside Adult Day Health Center and its Meals on Wheels program, at 645 Correas St., Half Moon Bay, CA 94109.
Lindy Sheldon
Lindy Sheldon, who made a career of helping the less fortunate, died Nov. 22 [2002] at her El Granada home at age 52.
Ms. Sheldon was born in Illinois and came to California, and to the Coastside, when her former husband was transferred here in 1984. She was a caregiver in the health-care field, working primarily with special-needs adults.
Over the past 18 years, she worked for San Mateo County and then individually, focusing on El Granada.
"She was a friend to people who were at a disadvantage in life," said her brother, Tom Pantke of Virginia. "And it wasn't just in her work. She would help other people as a neighbor would."
And, he added, she loved cats, of which she had several.
Ms. Sheldon is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Linda Pantke, and their children Joshua and Sarah, of Dumfries, Va.
Committal services will be held Thursday morning at 11 a.m. at Skylawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers,
the family prefers contributions to the local humane society.
Victoria Duhagon
Victoria Duhagon, a seven-year resident of Half Moon Bay, died May 8 [2003] in the Sunrise of Belmont assisted care home, at age 84, due to heart failure.
A native of Pinole, Calif., Mrs. Duhagon danced as a ballerina as a child and professionally during the Depression to earn money for her family. She was active in politics, and raised money for Ronald Reagan's campaign during the 1970s.
In her life, she also lived in Belmont and Lake Tahoe.
She was an avid animal lover. And she "had so many little sayings," said Mrs. Duhagon's granddaughter, Arlene Bayona.
Mrs. Duhagon is preceded in death by her second husband, Adrian Duhagon, to whom she was married for about 45 years. She is survived by her son, Barry Bergman of El Granada, granddaughters Karla Bergman and Arlene Bayona, and great-grandson Shawn Smith.
Private family services will be held.
Taylor LaGow
Wherever there were butterflies, you'd find a delighted smile on Taylor LaGow's face.
A typical little girl despite battling a rare congenital condition, the Loma Mar 8-year-old loved stickers and bubbles, but her greatest passion was butterflies. Just learning sign language, she couldn't wait to learn "butterfly," said her mother, Susan LaGow.
So, butterflies will be released at a celebration of Taylor's life this weekend at her Loma Mar home.
Taylor died on Sept. 27 [2003] at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, due to mitochondrial DNA deletion syndrome, an extremely rare condition in which her cells were unable to process nutrients into energy. Though her life was shortened, she lived it with a spirit those who knew her will not forget.
"Taylor had many challenges in her life that she overcame with grace and humor," said her family. "She taught us all about the strength you receive from those who love you.
"Taylor brought so much joy and love to everyone she knew. She had a special twinkle in her eye, and once you met Taylor, she touched your heart forever."
Born on June 10, 1995, Taylor spent most of her time at home, since her condition compromised her immune system. Teachers, tutors and therapists visited her and were charmed, said her mother.
"Everyone who knew her, knew she wasn't always feeling well, but she still wanted everyone to smile and laugh," said her mother. "She had a true gift for that."
Her love of butterflies launched a family project with caterpillars.
"We did the whole process," said father Andy LaGow. "We watched the chrysalis become a butterfly. Everything was butterflies."
Taylor is survived by her parents, Andy and Susan LaGow, and her 11-year-old brother Josh, all of Loma Mar. She is also survived by paternal grandparents, Rita LaGow of Loma Mar and Herman LaGow of Incline Valley, Nev., her maternal grandmother, Laura Conley of Auburn, N.Y., and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
All are welcome to a celebration of Taylor's life which will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at the LaGow family home. For directions, call 879-9722.
A second celebration is planned at 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 in the Rainbow Garden of the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Taylor's memory to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation at 8085 Saltsburg Road, No. 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15239.
James Francis Schweickert
James Francis Schweickert, a 20-year South Coast resident who lived primarily in Pescadero and Loma Mar, died Oct. 7 [2002] at age 70 in Redwood City due to a sudden illness.
Mr. Schweickert was born Dec. 2, 1931, in San Mateo. He was raised in Redwood City and graduated from Sequoia High School before going into the Air Force, where he served for four years during the Korean War.
After his time in the service, he went to work as lineman for Pacific Bell, a position he kept for 30 years.
He had been a member of the Pescadero Advisory Council. An avid hunter, he was also a member of the Redwood Rod and Gun Club.
Mr. Schweickert is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Schweickert. He is survived by his sons Frank Schweickert of San Francisco, Glen Schweickert of Elk Grove, Shaun Schweickert and James Schweickert, both of San Jose and Mike Schweickert of Redwood City.
He is also survived by a sister, Lois Parodi of Redwood City, and two brothers, Dave Schweickert of Redwood City and Tom Schweickert of Burlingame.
A funeral service was held Oct. 14 in Redwood City, followed by interment
at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park.
Peggy Eriksen service
A memorial service will be held this weekend for local art supporter and owner of the Eriksen Art and Framing Gallery, Peggy Eriksen.
The service is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, [2003] at the Mel Mello Center for the Performing Arts, at 1167 Main St. in Half Moon Bay. A reception will follow, at the theater.
Friends are welcome to send flowers, and they may be delivered to the theater.
As an alternative to sending flowers, friends may make donations to the Half Moon Bay Eriksen Art Fund, recently set up by the Eriksen family. It is a general fund for the high school's art students, who were one of Mrs. Eriksen's particular special interests.
Donations may be made payable to the "HMBHS Eriksen Art Fund" and sent directly to Half Moon Bay High School, Lewis Foster Drive, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
Jose J. Gonzales
Despite lifelong pain rooted in childhood rheumatic arthritis, Jose J. Gonzales was upbeat.
"His empathy," recalled family members. "His immaculate integrity. His determination to keep going despite tremendous pain. And his love for a good joke."
Mr. Gonzales, a 13-year Moss Beach resident, died at age 65 Sept. 26 [2003] at Stanford Medical Center, due to complications of pneumonia.
Mr. Gonzales was born in Albuquerque and lived much of his life in Los Angeles.
He was an administrative director at California State University, Los Angeles, for 17 years. There, he headed a disabled students' program which became a model for all Cal State universities, said his family.
He and wife Karen came to Moss Beach 13 years ago. Mr. Gonzales served briefly on the San Mateo County Board of Education.
Though in pain, Mr. Gonzales worried more for others.
"He was very empathic and sensitive to other peoples' feelings," said his mother-in-law, Jeanette Brown of Brentwood. "He always tried to help, and make them feel better. And he always had a sense of humor."
In his later years, Mr. Gonzales was writing a book on his family history, going back to his 18th-century Spanish shepherd ancestors. He planned to illustrate it with images he had inherited.
Mr. Gonzales is survived by his wife of 21-plus years, Karen Gonzales of Moss Beach, and his sisters, Jo (and husband Romo) Mart'nez of Concord and Helen Villalobos of Los Angeles, and nieces and nephews.
Memorial services are being planned.
Lena Bandini
Lena Bandini, a longtime resident of Pescadero, died Oct. 23, 2003 at Seton Medical Center Coastside after suffering from several strokes over the past few months. She was 79 years old.
Mrs. Bandini was born in Santa Maria a Monte in Italy and came to the Coastside when she was 3 years old. She attended school in Pescadero and was a farmer for more than 50 years, doing business on the Coastside as P. Campinotti & Company, along with the rest of her family.
Mrs. Bandini is survived by her two sisters, Sylvia DiVecchio and her children, Joey and Nickey and Elda Rodriguez and her husband Tony and children Gina and Joanne.
Mrs. Bandini leaves two sons and a daughter - son Joe Don-nery and his children Gary and David; son Eddie Bandini and his wife Jeri Wade and children Cody, Kyle and E.J.; daughter Debbie Jahns and her husband Tom and children Dustin and Jason.
Services will be held at the Miller-Dutra Coastside Funeral Home on Sunday, Nov. 2. There will be a rosary with a 3:30 p.m. mass and a visitation from 12 to 5 p.m.
The funeral will be held on Monday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Half Moon Bay.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to the Diabetes Foundation or the American Heart Association's Stroke Foundation.
