Obituaries

Doretta P. Shaw, 87, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2008 at home in Sonoma. She had varied career interests.  She was a cosmetologist for 20 years in Sonoma. She was a clerk at Simmons pharmacy for several years and a proprietor of a yarn shop on Broadway with her mother for several years. She enjoyed her family bowling and fishing ­­– in that order. She was an 85-year resident of Sonoma and a native of Colby, Wisc.
Doretta was the dear wife of the late Walter F. Shaw, Sr.; mother of Linda C. Hill and Richard M. Shaw, both of Sonoma, and the late Walter F. Shaw, Jr.; the mother-in-law of Bud Hill and Rachelle Shaw; sister of the late Richard, Howard, Harry, Walton, George, and Roy; grandmother of Fallon Hill, Nicole Bowser, Allison Bowser, Richard Shaw, Jr., and Marlus and Jamie Shaw; and great-grandmother of Luke, Megan, Macie, Tristan, and Rylee.
Private family services were held.  Inurnment was held by Mission Cremation Service under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Donations are preferred to Pet’s Lifeline, P.O. Box 341, Sonoma, CA 95476, or to Hospice by the Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.

Jay Brown, Sonoma businessman and sportsman, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, June 29. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Karen Brown. He also leaves his stepmother Chichi Brown of Maryland, his stepfather James Gibson of Florida, his brother Frank Brown and sister-in-law Susan Brown of Georgia, his sister Susannah and brother-in-law Dave Kavanaugh of Pennsylvania, his extended family and many dear friends.
Jay was born in Baltimore in 1958. He had an early passion for golf, sailing and photography. In 1987 Jay was part of the crew that won the America’s Cup for the United States in races held in Perth, Australia. It was in Australia at that time that Jay and Karen met. Working on the 1992 film “Wind,” which documented the victory, Jay renewed his interest in photography. He studied at the Maine Photographic Workshop in Rockland, Maine, where he later taught.
Jay and Karen made Sonoma their home in 1998. Together they founded and grew a highly successful Sonoma-based business, Brindisiamo, specializing in importing fine furniture from Italy. In connection with that, they were frequent travelers to Italy and students of the Italian language. Jay was also an active and popular member of the Sonoma Golf Club.
Jay was a devoted and loving husband and a loyal and generous friend.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A memorial celebrating his life will take place Thursday, June 3, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Imagery Estate Winery, 14335 Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen.