Rosa Lee Robinson
June 9, 2004
Former Petaluman
Rosa Lee Robinson, a former Petaluma resident, died on May 30, 2004 in Napa. She was 94.
Wife of the late William Orvel Robinson, she was the mother of Calvin Robinson of Santa Rosa; and the late Phillip Robinson and Paula Robinson.
She is also survived by siblings, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services have been held. The family requests memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity.
Arrangements were by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory.
Alice King Hartzel
June 2, 2004
Active community member
Alice King Hartzel died May 18, 2004 at the home she shared with her daughter Alice and son-in-law Gen. Ed Andrews. She was 97.
Born in Elizabeth, N.J., she lived there until she met and married the Rev. Godfrey W. J. Hartzel. She moved to Seattle, Wash., while her husband served on board a ship as a Navy chaplain during World War II. The couple moved to Petaluma in 1954 when "Padre" became rector of St. John's Episcopal Church.
An active community member for many years, she was involved in the Red Cross and Petaluma People Services Center. She was a member of the Petaluma Woman's Club, Petaluma Community Guild, St. John's Episcopal Church, Petaluma Golf & Country Club, and the Junior League of San Francisco. Mrs. Hartzel also participated on the Bicentennial Committee, as one of her famous relatives was Rufus King, a signer of the Constitution.
She began her world travels with an excursion to Europe in 1923, and went on an African safari when she was in her 80s. She also loved traveling to visit her daughter and son-in-law during his military career. She was an avid golfer and bridge player.
Mrs. Hartzel worked for many years at the Petaluma American Red Cross office and at Hillcrest Hospital in the medical records department. For nearly a century, she enjoyed seeing the new discoveries and inventions. She loved people, and always had kind words and helping hands.
She is survived by daughter Alice King Andrews; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. June 10 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 40 Fifth St.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the American Red Cross; Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma; the Petaluma Community Guild Memorial Program, P.O. Box 2753, Petaluma; or St. John's Episcopal Church.
Arrangements were made by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory.
Marjorie J. Wilson
June 28, 2006
Former Petaluma city clerk
Former city clerk Marjorie J. Wilson died surrounded by family on June 24, 2006 at her Petaluma home. She was 84.
Mrs. Wilson worked at various Petaluma businesses, including Sunset Line and Twine, and Hunt and Behrens Feed & Grain Co. She worked for several years as the city manager's executive secretary, then went on to become city clerk. Mrs. Wilson also worked for the County of Marin for the City of San Rafael's water sanitation program.
In 2004, she was preceded in death by husband Carl Wilson. She was the mother of Carol "CJ" Norton of Petaluma and Michael J. Wilson of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. She is survived by several grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to a funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 28 at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk St. Burial will be at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, 430 Magnolia Ave., Petaluma.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Peta-luma, 416 Payran St., 94952.
James H. Waller
April 4, 2006
World War II veteran, coffee and parcel company employee
World War II veteran James "Jim" H. Waller died in Petaluma on April 2, 2006. He was 88.
A native of Canada, Mr. Waller was raised and educated in Montana, later living in Hilmar, Calif., Livingston, San Francisco, and finally Petaluma.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in England. After his military obligation, Mr. Waller worked for Jones-Thierbach Coffee Company in San Francisco for more than 30 years. He went on to work for the United Parcel Service, from which he retired in 1980.
Mr. Waller was a member of the Petaluma-Hamilton Lodge No. 180 F. and A.M., Scottish Rite Bodies and Aahmes Shrine of Sonoma County.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine "Gerry" Waller. He was the father of Linda E. Alexander of Livermore. He was the brother of Ruth Fridgen of Santa Rosa, Pearl Fink of Ainsworth, Neb., Lois Dodd of Santa Rosa, and the late Robert Waller, Bernice Azevedo and Rose Johnson. Mr. Waller is survived by grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment was at Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, 94952.
Arrangements were made under the direction of Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory of Petaluma.
Roy Troutman
December 10, 2003
Banker, Mason
Roy Wade Troutman died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003 at his home in Petaluma, after battling Parkinson's disease for over five years.
Born Dec. 7, 1919 in Mooresville, N.C., Mr. Troutman held a bachelor's degree in biology. He served with the Army Air Force during World War II, achieving the rank of captain.
Mr. Troutman joined Bank of America in 1946 and retired in 1982. A 43-year resident of San Rafael, he was an active member of Marin Masonic Lodge, serving as Worshipful Master and as Treasurer for many years. He decided many hours to various Masonic youth organizations and after retiring, volunteered with the Marine Mammal Center.
Predeceased by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Troutman, he is survived by his children, Robert Troutman of Northridge, William Troutman of Albuquerque and Patricia Thomas of Petaluma; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild and sister Louise Northcutt of Charlotte, N.C.
Services have been held. The family prefers contributions to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma 94952.
Arrangements were by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory.
Emilia A. Tognalda
April 13, 2005
Devoted mother
Emilia A. Tognalda died April 6, 2005 in Petaluma. She was 86.
A native of Switzerland, Mrs. Tognalda was predeceased by her husband Joseph F. Tognalda.
She was the mother of Joseph C. Tognalda, Walter A. Tognalda and Eleanor T. Facendini, all of Petaluma.
Mrs. Tognalda is survived by grandchildren, nieces, a nephew and many cousins.
Interment was at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Petaluma. The family requests that memorials be made to a favorite charity.
Arrangements were made by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory of Petaluma.
Joseph Souza
March 29, 2006
Retired Union Oil employee
Joseph Souza, an always-smiling 86-year-old man known as "Uncle Joe" to his friends, died Saturday, March 25, 2006.
A long-time resident of Rodeo, Mr. Souza moved to Petaluma in recent years. A retired Union Oil employee, he was known for his extensive gardening and carpentry skills.
Mr. Souza was always willing to help a friend and was known for his ability to see goodness in everyone and in every day. He was described as a gentle, loving, and happy man. He was a fixture at the Cardoza Pumpkin Farm.
In his free time, Mr. Souza also loved to hunt and fish, and spent much of his time in the outdoors either at his home at the Cardoza family ranch or at his second home in Adin.
He was the brother of Vera Cardoza of Petaluma. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to a "Celebration of Joe's Life" at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Dept., 5565 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma 94954.
Jane Soberanes
March 15, 2006
Mother, wife, friend
Jane Soberanes, an understanding mother, loving wife, and close friend to many, died March 9 at the age of 81 from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, an illness she suffered from much of her life.
The medical difficulties that plagued Jane Soberanes's body never affected her spirit, however. "It was a struggle for her just to draw breath," said the Petaluma Museum's Susan Villa, "but she never complained. You never heard anything but sweet, nice things."
Mrs. Soberanes was, for over 50 years, the love and wife of the late Argus-Courier columnist, Bill Soberanes. The couple first met in Long Beach, said Cheryl Turner, Mrs. Soberanes's daughter. Turner, who is also known as Mandolina Moon, said after her parents divorced in the early 1950s, her mother and Soberanes were reintroduced, and this time, "it was love at first sight."
Following Soberanes's death, Villa was among those who helped organize the columnist's files and spoke of the love letters the two had exchanged. "She was one of the luckiest women in the world to have him write like that to her. They were always like young romantic lovers."
It was a long courtship: the couple did not marry until the mid-'60s, after Turner had graduated from Petaluma High School and moved away.
They took care of each other, Turner said. "Bill helped her a lot, he was unselfish, and very, very loving. He wanted her to be with him, and he didn't care about the package. Then, when he became disabled (in 2002), she started caring for him, even though it was hard for her."
Mrs. Soberanes worked as a medical secretary, and later typed her husband's columns for the newspaper. An animal lover, she proudly showed pictures of her "grand-dogs" Phantom and Briar-Rose, and cared tenderly for Kitty-Ka-Doo, the latest in her series of cats. She enjoyed gardening, nature, music -- and the color pink. At her request, the old white house the couple shared on East Washington Street was reincarnated as a Pink Lady several years ago.
Although her COPD often kept her confined, her husband brought the world to her -- for everyone was his friend and a member of his Fascinating World of People. Her vivacious manner and sympathetic ear made everyone her friend as well.
"I was honored and lucky to have had her as a mom," Turner said. "She was an inspiration throughout my life, and even though she was sick a lot, we were very close and able to do things together. As I got older, she became my confidante, and a very good friend as well.
"She had a wonderful ability to take in what everyone was saying and give out advice. It's so delightful to see how many good friends she had, of all ages. She had a generous heart and was there for so many people. She enjoyed life in spite of her sickness, and everyone was so wonderful to her, they liked being with her."
In addition to Turner, Mrs. Soberanes is survived by son-in-law, Mark Wilson, sisters-in-law Margaret Soberanes and Connie Poncia, and close friend Corky Sinclair.
No services will be held, but Turner asked that friends and acquaintances send "happy thoughts for Janie's journey to the realm of the spirit -- and see her as standing tall and taking deep breaths." Interment will be private, next to her husband at Calvary Cemetery.
Joseph John Soares
April 6, 2005
World War II veteran
Joseph John Soares of Petaluma died March 31, 2005. He was 88.
Mr. Soares was born on Aug. 8, 1916 to Mariana and Pedro Soares in San Lorenzo, Calif. He was very proud of his enlistment in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Mr. Soares was also employed by the Department of Transportation and retired after 13 years of service.
He was the husband of Elsie C. Soares of Petaluma, father of Elaine Shields of Carmichael and Ron Soares of Rohnert Park and grandfather of four. He also had a brother and two sisters.
A service was held on April 4, 2005 at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory. A funeral mass was conducted afterward at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Internment was at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Petaluma.
The family requests that memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma, 94952, or to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 1250 Hylan Blvd., Suite 4B, Staten Island, N.Y., 10305-1946.
