Obituaries
Mary Jane Pisa McMahon, passed away peacefully in Sonoma on May 18, 2008. She was born in San Francisco on Dec. 4, 1928 and was the adored daughter of the late Frank and Josephine Pisa. Mary Jane was a graduate of St. Peter’s Catholic School in San Francisco. She moved with her parents to Sonoma when they purchased the historic Ice House on the Sonoma Square. She was a longtime employee of Sonoma Auto Parts, the wife of the late Nephi McMahon and, most recently, the loving companion of Tom Pendergast. She will be remembered by her stepson Keith McMahon. Mary Jane was an active member and Chaplin for the Women of the Moose, Sonoma #776; Sons of Italy, Sonoma Chapter; and the Sonoma Valley Grange # 407. She will always be loved by Mary and Fred Pisa, Betty Ann Pisa Cattich, Grace Pisa Cinti and Tony and Sal Rando. Her dear aunts and uncles, the late Leonard and the late Kathryn Wrobel, the late Frank Pisa and the late Tony Pisa, the late Grayce Grouix; Tony, Sal and the late Frank Rando and their wives Gloria, Pat and Ann Rando., Charles and Nicholine Maguire, Tony and Alice Cannuli, Jim and Mary Miller, Sam and Eva Bertino, John and Mary Cannuli, Ernest and Rose Tunno. Beloved cousin to Tom and Connie Lara, Nick and Fran Cannuli, Joseph and the late Lucille Cannuli, Stanly and Jo Anne Thors, Tony Cannuli, Charlie, Larry and John Maguire, Wendy, Jim Jr., And Cheryl Miller, Sandra Bertino, Len Jr. and Marilyn Wrobel, Ron and Judy Wrobel, Bill and the late Linda Wrobel and Gloria Wrobel Ury. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 30 at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Funeral Services under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Linda L. McCann passed away peacefully on March 25, 2008 at her home in Kenwood after a 14-month battle with cancer. She was born in San Francisco on January 26, 1944 to Lucille and Sam Friscia. Linda loved the outdoors, her animals, gardening, cooking, and most of all, spending time with her family.
Linda was the beloved wife of Ernest J. McCann and the adored mother of Joseph A., Sam A. and Mike W. Lazzaroni. She was mother-in-law to Tanya Lazzaroni and Diane Rae; stepmother to Dorothy Steelwell and Joann McCann; cherished sister to Janet Smith, Walter Friscia and Betty Martinez; and idolized grandmother of Ashley and Ava Lazzaroni.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass on Saturday, May 31 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church at 1 p.m. Donations to the American Cancer Society are preferred. Private inurnment; funeral arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Erica Diane Letson joined the angels on May 12, 2008, at the age of 28 from a sudden stroke, in Sonoma. Erica came into this world on March 13, 1980 into the loving arms of Carmen Skaggs and Alberta Alexander in Flint, Michigan. She was joyfully adopted by the family of John Letson and Linda (Letson) Spomer and sisters, Trudy, Judy and brother Wayne.
She moved with her family to San Jose in 1986, then to Sonoma where she met her beloved teachers at Altimira. She attended Sonoma Valley High School where she later enrolled in the SCOE program. She was Active in Becoming Independent, where she had a loving circle of friends. At the age of 23 Erica joined her adoring partner in life, James Sturgill. She gave birth to their beloved son, Adam Joseph on January 21, 2005.
Erica will be remembered for her knack of turning strangers into dear friends. Countless people have been warmed to the soul by her hugs. She remembered the names of every dog and cat she ever met. She refused to accept the importance the rest of us placed on being on time, but fully appreciated the value of a good cup of coffee and another pair of shoes.
Her greatest pleasures were in moments that often rush by unnoticed, the moments of laughter with Jim and their son, the sweetness of cuddling, the cats’ fur, the Glen Ellen Fair, the sunset behind a face, once more listening to Flash Dance, the Tao of Pooh and Aunt Diane’s Farm. She loved dancing, the Renaissance Faire and Halloween costumes.
Erica is survived by the partner to whom she was devoted, Jim Sturgill; her adoring mother Linda Spomer (Alan); her steadfast and loving father, John Letson (Thom Rathbun); her dear and protective sisters, Trudy Letson (Luis Reys) and Judy Letson (Frank Jager); dear devoted brother, Wayne Letson (Ella); and her beloved grandmother Eugeana Rohlfs. She also leaves behind her honorary fathers and mothers: Thom Rathbun, Mike Wark, Al Spomer, Suzanne Reed, Renee Sherd and Antonia Allawatt. Also, the many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and teachers, nurses and friends who protected her and gave her peace and confidence, unconditional love, boom boxes, roller skates, umbrellas, poems, rules and chocolate with peanut butter.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of life at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, at 1 p.m., on Saturday, May 31. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to her memorial fund as follows; Linda Spomer-Erica Letson Memorial Fund, Sonoma Valley Bank, 202 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma.
Jorgen “Johnny” Larsen passed peacefully away in Sonoma on May 21, 2008. He was 82. A native of Denmark and longtime resident of Kenwood, he moved to Sonoma a few years ago. Jorgen, a custom builder and general contractor, built homes all over the North Bay area. He was in the construction business for over 40 years. He is preceded in death by his loving wife and best friend of 43 years, Ludmilla “Peggy” Larsen. Also preceding him in death are his brothers, Ariel, Bent and Nils.
He is survived by his loving children, Katherine (Bill), Maryanne, and Peter (Tera); his grandchildren, Kristopher, Eddie, Lacey, Michael, Alaura and Nikita; his great-grandson Dorian; and by his loving sister Lis Petersen. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Friends are invited to attend services at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma on Tuesday, June 3 at 11 a.m.
Jack Williams Stokes passed away in Sonoma on May 22, 2008, he was 81. A native of Springfield, Missouri and longtime resident of Sonoma, Jack was a World War II veteran, and a Seabee with the U.S. Navy. He worked at the De Witt State Hospital in Auburn for 21 years and for nine years at Sonoma Developmental Center.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Ruth M. Stokes, and by his brothers Jim Stokes and Harold Stokes. He is survived by is loving children Retha Ferguson of Sonoma, Jack G. Stokes of Auburn, Pamela Morris of Rancho Cordova, Mark Stokes of Auburn; and Marlene Brilliande of Oroville. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be on Thursday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at the Auburn Cemetery, 1040 Collins Drive, Auburn, Calif. Arrangements under the directions of Duggan’s Mission Chapel and Mission Cremation Service, Sonoma.
Alton Relue Sweet, longtime resident of El Verano, passed away on May 23, 2008 in Chico, Calif. He was 102. Alton, the son of a lighthouse keeper, was born in the old Ballast Point Lighthouse in San Diego on April 15, 1906, just 3 days before the San Francisco earthquake. In his early years he and his father built and raced inboard powerboats on San Diego Bay.
During World War II he served four years as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. After the war he returned to Ione, Calif., where he was employed by the California Youth Authority at Preston School of Industry. In 1950 he moved to Sonoma and worked as building maintenance supervisor at Sonoma State Hospital until his retirement. He was an avid traveler and enjoyed playing horseshoes and the violin.
After the passing of his wife Carol in 1986, Alton married Canadian, Rose Nightscales, and they resided in Abbotsford, British Colombia, until her death in 2007. He is survived by daughter Janet Corey of Susanville, and sons Jim (Penny) of Lake Almanor and John (Kathy) of Chico. All were graduates of Sonoma Valley High School. Other family includes granddaughters Julie Nunn of Paradise, Gwen Pacheco of Susanville, and Molly Rhodes of Santa Rosa; and grandsons Joe Sweet of Lincoln, and Matt Corey of Florida. He also leaves eight great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Alton’s life on Saturday, June 7 at noon, at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Interment will follow the Service at Valley Cemetery, Sonoma. Arrangements under the directions of Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Carlene Jordan Moon, 79, of Sonoma, died May 13, 2008 at home in Sonoma. Carlene was the loving wife of the late Dean B. Moon and the adored mother of Krystal Williams, of Sonoma. She was the dear sister of Irene McGuire of Corning and aunt of Lisa Nunes and John Olds.
Carlene worked in food service at the Veteran’s Hospital in Yountville for 15 years. She has been a resident of Sonoma since 1956 and was a native of Oklahoma. A funeral service was held on May 16 at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St., Sonoma. Interment at Mountain Cemetery in the family plot.
Alfred F. Roche, 50, of Sonoma, died May 21, 2008, in Sonoma. He was a native of Tucson, Ariz. He moved with his family to Sonoma in the 1970s. He attended local schools and graduated from Sonoma Valley High School, class of 1976.
Al was very accomplished at woodworking, including making furniture. He enjoyed fishing, was a good mechanic, liked working on cars and spending time with his friends, and most of all, he loved his son. He was extremely proud of A.J. and loved their time together.
Alfred is survived by his wife Mary Roche, his son A.J. Roche, his mother Lupe Lopez of Oceanside, his father Alfred C. Roche of Tucson, Ariz., his sisters Cecelia Hill of Oceanside, Veronica Mascret of Columbus, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.
Private family inurnment will be held at Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery in Oceanside. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, Sonoma.
Harry Drittenbas Jr. was born December 2, 1929 in Grant Orchards, Wash., and died at the age of 78, on May 21, 2008 in Santa Rosa. He was a longtime resident of Olympia, Wash., and lived in Sonoma for the past 20 years. He earned his master’s degree in education from Central Washington State College and was an accomplished athlete, excelling in track, football, tennis, basketball and racquetball. He was a teacher, school counselor and administrator, and businessman; he owned and operated Sonoma Produce for many years. Harry is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Martha R. Drittenbas. He is also survived by his first wife, Joan Drittenbas, and their children Lynn, Laura, Dan and Lisa, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson, and his sister, Harriet Fease of Boise, Idaho. A funeral Mass was celebrated in his honor on Saturday, May 23. A private inurnment followed. Duggan’s Mission Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Catherine (Kay) Mary Brennan, aka “Catherine the Great,” passed away peacefully at home in Glen Ellen on May 17, 2008. She was 84. Catherine was preceded in death by Tom Brennan, her loving husband of 38 years, and her two brothers and six sisters. Catherine, a native San Franciscan, was the youngest of nine children and attended St. Paul’s Catholic Grammar School and High School in San Francisco. Catherine and her husband Tom were married in 1945. They resided at 585 Chenery Street, San Francisco, until 1971. They then moved to Felton and made their summer cabin their permanent residence. After Tom’s death in 1983, Catherine took on the role of live-in caretaker for Monsignor John Kennedy at St. John’s Catholic Church in Felton. In 2001, after the death of Monsignor Kennedy, Catherine moved to Sonoma. Catherine is survived by two loving daughters, Donna Duncan (Scott) of Windermere, Fla. and Rita Hensic (Ron) of Sonoma. Catherine is the adored “grandma” of seven grandchildren: Madison Harbilas, Skyler Coleman, Jarred Roberts, Austin Roberts, Kaliyah Hensic-McGowen, Ronald Hensic III, and Hannah Hensic. Catherine touched many friends in San Francisco, Felton and Sonoma. Catherine was especially fond of her longtime friend, Lucille Lupini, of Felton.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, May 22 at the Felton Cemetery in Felton, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest donations be made to your local Hospice. Arrangements under the directions of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.
