Emma “Kittie” Taylor, passed away at home in Sonoma, on Oct. 27, 2008. Kittie was born on Sept. 24, 1924 in Raleigh, N.C. She married a career Army officer and she and her husband and children lived in several countries and many U.S. states. Kittie was a past president of the Sonoma Ladies Auxiliary of the V.F.W. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Burke of Larkspur, Joyce Ulrich of Santa Rosa and by her grandson, Darius Burke of Cotati.
Donations may be made in her name to the Sonoma V.F.W. Post 1943, PO Box 78, Sonoma, CA 95476. A private celebration of her life will be held as well as a private inurnment. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma.
Stephen C. Bates On Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, Sonoma lost one of its small-town characters. Steve passed away at home after a brief illness. Stephen Craig Bates was born Jan. 23, 1946 in Kansas City, Mo. He made Sonoma his home for the past 25 years, running his business, B&B Construction. Steve attended the University of Arizona and served in the United States Marine Corp. Prior to moving to California, Steve was a partner in Bates Grain Company with his father, Max Bates.
Steve enjoyed the time he spent at the Esalen Institute on the Big Sur Coast and as a Park Service Ranger at Pt. Reyes Seashore. One of Steve’s many accomplishments was white-water rafting the Colorado River, twice! He loved to travel and enjoyed spending time with his family in Hawaii. Steve was a devoted father. His daughter, Hannah, has wonderful memories of the adventures and antics they shared together! Steve was larger than life, and we will miss not seeing him ride around town waving to all of us in his bright, yellow, flaming hot rod.
Steve is preceded in death by his son, Blair Peterman; we find comfort in knowing they are together. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Helen Robinson and Max Bates; his stepbrother, Lance Campbell; and his stepsister, Serena Lawson.
Steve is survived by his wife, Milenka Bates; his daughter, Hannah Bates; his stepdaughter, Margaret Webley of Puyallup, Wash.; his sister, Sharil Baxter-Butt (Tom), of Lanai, Hawaii; his stepsisters, Lynn Thanash, of Las Vegas and Patti Gorham, of Lenexa, Kan.; his nephew, Chris Lovvorn, of Lanai, Hawaii; his niece, Nicole Bartholomew (Michael) of Iowa City, Iowa and their children Ryan, Hannah, Emma and Julia; and longtime friend, Joy Massa, of Sonoma. Steve also leaves countless friends in Sonoma, Kansas City, Tacoma and around the world.
A memorial will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Sonoma Plaza, Grinstead Amphitheater. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH), P.O. Box 507, Sonoma, CA 95476-0507, 707.996.0111. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma.
Elizabeth (Liz) Jane Garcia, passed away on Oct. 23, 2008. Born to an adoring family on Mother’s Day, Liz came into the lives of her parents, Joe and Jan Garcia and sisters, Loch and Kimberley Garcia, with gusto! And that’s how she lived her life, touching everyone she met with her beautiful smile and cheery disposition. Her tragic passing has profoundly saddened her widespread family, which reaches from here to England, and her many loving friends. In addition to her parents and sisters, Liz is achingly missed by her beloved nephew, Ben Garcia; loving partner, Laurel Raukar; uncles and aunties, Tony and Wendy Chowne, David and Niki Whittingham and Clive and Jenny Stuart, all from England; and many cousins, friends, co-workers and clients at Sonoma Developmental Center in Glen Ellen.
Family and friends attended a celebration of Liz’s life on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the First Congregational Church of Sonoma. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to may make a donation to a memorial fund at Cal State Central Credit Union to benefit bike safety by providing free helmets.
Irving Mills Death came, as it must to all men, to Irv Mills on Oct. 23, 2008 in Sonoma, California.
Born in Connecticut, he lived an average life learning, working, creating a family, and in the process, hopefully, doing a little more good than evil while having some fun along the way.
To my wife, Joan, who taught me the meaning of love – thanks. I love you. Susan, our only child, has given our lives meaning and happiness. Good night, honey, I love you. My life has been an interesting trip and although my ticket has expired, your lives are for living – enjoy.
P.S. I have written the above obituary because I believe it unfair to ask someone else, no matter how close, to sum up another life – besides, it’s not important enough to warrant a “Letter to the Editor”
At Irving J. Mill’s request there will be no public services. Cremation and inurnment was handled by Mission Cremation service under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Patricia F. Goin, 72, of Sonoma, died Oct. 21, 2008 in Sonoma. Patricia was the wife for 56 years of Lyle R. Goin; she was the mother of Dan L. Goin of Sonoma, Linda G. Goldy of Santa Rosa; mother-in-law of Vicki R. Goin and Rick Goldy; grandmother of Brandon Dalziel; sister of Marianne Hardin, Bill and David Landof; and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Patricia was a dedicated homemaker, an active volunteer for the Sonoma Vintage Festival and a former member of the Sonoma Valley Chorale. She was a 38-year resident of Sonoma and a native of Utica, New York.
A memorial service was held at Duggan’s Mission Chapel on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Private inurnment by Mission Cremation Service, under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St. Sonoma.
