Obituaries
Mona Silva, former owner of “The Hattery,” located in the “El Paseo” and later in the “Mercado” from 1995-1999, passed away on June 16, 2008. She was born in Morenci, Ariz. on April 25, 1930. Mona and her husband, Robert, spent many years in Redding, where she enjoyed horses and tennis with family and their many friends. They relocated to Stayton, Ore. in 2005 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Mona died after a short battle with cancer. She will be remembered for her strength and kindness, her sense of humor, her culinary expertise, her compassion and her boundless love for family. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert; her children, Mike and his wife Betty, Irene, Robin and Rob; six grandchildren, Michelle, Jared, Christine, Diahann, Robbie and Jessica; and two great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 28 at the family home in Stayton.
Karin Margit Paulson passed away at her home in Sonoma on Friday, June 20, 2008 at the age of 70. Karin was born and raised in Denver, Colo. She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and later graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in elementary education.
She married Ronald Paulson in Boulder in 1958. They settled in San Francisco in 1980. Though they divorced in 1986, Karin and Ron remained good friends until his death in 2004.During the time she lived in San Francisco, Karin was very active in the congregation at Christ Church Lutheran. She worked in the San Francisco area for several companies, including Thomas Temporaries, Scudder Investments and the Northern California Psychiatric Society. She retired in 2005.
Karin moved to Sonoma in 2005 to be closer to her son and his family. She played scrabble and cards at Temelec Hall, sang with the Vintage House singers and was once again very active at her church, Faith Lutheran.
Karin was preceded in death by her longtime friend and companion, Leo P. Bailey. They enjoyed traveling together throughout California and the West, as well as to England and Canada. Karin was a loving mom, grandma and sister, and a devoted friend to all who knew her. Her humor, kindness and thoughtfulness will be greatly missed by everyone she touched.
She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Alenius of Colorado Springs; her daughter, Amy Bates of Aurora, Colo.; her son, Andy Paulson of Sonoma; and niece, Robyn Jackson of Colorado Springs. She delighted in her four grandchildren: Robert Bates, Katherine Bates, Gunnar Paulson and Dane Paulson.
A memorial service and reception will be held in celebration of Karin on Thursday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 19355 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Inquiries can be made to Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Robert Hall “Bob” Brown
Robert Hall “Bob” Brown was born on April 18, 1922 in Oakland to H. Selden Brown and Jessie Hall Brown. He died June 15, 2008 in Sonoma. Bob was conceived in Japan while his father was in charge of the family import-export business in Yokohama. Their trip back to California docked in Alameda where his maternal grandmother lived, and he was born soon after in Fabiola Hospital. After he arrived, his parents and older sister moved to Seattle where his paternal grandparents lived and the family business was located. His grandfather was known as “Judge” Brown, as he was the senior attorney for the Great Northern Railroad.
When Bob was five years old his father drowned in Lake Washington while fishing with a group of friends. His mother and the two children moved back to California and lived with her mother Emma Hall in San Francisco. Bob attended Grant Elementary School. The family moved to Berkeley where he attended John Muir School, Berkeley High and University High. Since both of his parents were Stanford graduates, his dream was to attend Stanford University. He entered Stanford on a tennis scholarship in 1940. At that time he was second seeded junior in the state. He played at the Berkeley Tennis Club.
Sports were a big part of his life and he was a self-proclaimed “sports nut.” He was a sports announcer on East Bay radio and also announced games for Sonoma High School for several years. In later years he was an avid golfer and was a member of the Northern California Golf Course Rating Committee, which took him to many golf courses throughout Northern California. His biggest thrill was when he attended the British Open in Scotland and was able to play at St. Andrews golf course.
He spent over 50 years in the insurance business, starting as a special agent with Fireman’s Fund in San Francisco. He started there after World War II when he was discharged from the U.S. Navy. It was while traveling with the Fund that he came to Sonoma and met his future wife, the former Aileen Avelar. They were married at the Stanford Memorial Church on the campus in 1951. They celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on April 14, 2008. He established R.H. “Bob” Brown Insurance in Boyes Hot Springs in 1956 and retired in 2000.
He was the father of Shelley Brown and Barry Brown, grandfather of Katie Siegle and Emily Siegle and father-in-law of Alan Siegle. His older sister Barbara Murray lives in Seattle, Wash.
During his active years Bob was very involved in community projects. He fought long and hard to prevent a freeway from being built down the middle of Sonoma Valley. He served as president of Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Vintage Festival. He was a member of American Legion Sonoma Post 0489 for 55 years and served as Post Commander. He was a member of the California Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers and served on their state board of directors. He also was on their legislative committee. He was a member for 49 years of the Native Sons of the Golden West Sonoma Parlor. He was a longtime Rotary Club member and served as their president. He was elected by the membership to receive the coveted Paul Harris Fellowship award. While in Rotary he took on the Feasibility Study for Valley Incorporation.
His interests in youth sports included Sonoma Valley Little League as coach, Babe Ruth president, and CYO basketball coach. He was a season ticket holder for Stanford football for 50 years and traveled with Aileen to many out-of-state games with the team for 25 years. He was also an Oakland A’s and San Francisco 49ers season ticket holder. He and his wife enjoyed traveling across the United States, staying at bed and breakfasts and visiting historic places of note.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who was happiest at family gatherings. He loved good food, a sip of fine scotch and a good laugh.
A special thank you goes to his caregivers Marge, Sylvia and Marlin. Private burial has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held in the future. Donations in his memory may be made to Stanford Buck Club, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94305; F.I.S.H. or a charity of your choice. Duggan’s Mission Chapel in charge of arrangements.
