James Wesley Kremer (Jim), 58, passed from life on Aug. 11, 2008 in his home in Sonoma, after a valiant struggle with brain cancer. Jim was born in Evansville, Ind. on Feb. 9, 1950. After graduating from high school, he spent several years as a commercial fisherman on the East Coast. He then settled in Sausalito, where he worked as a bartender at Smitty’s Bar for 18 years. He relocated to Sonoma 16 years ago and worked as a bartender at the Blue Moon Saloon. Jim made and maintained many lasting friends in both Marin and Sonoma counties and around the country. Jim was an avid sport fisherman and enjoyed playing pool at a competitive, tournament level.
Jim is survived by the love of his life, his wife Kelly, devoted friend Tammy Salata, brothers Jack of Gatlinburg, Tenn. and Don (Diane) of Pacific Grove, Calif., three nieces and one nephew. Jim will be dearly missed by his family and his many friends. To all of us who knew him, we believe Jim was a special person and can be described and remembered in this way:
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.
That was Jim.
Arrangements under the directions of Duggan’s Mission Chapel/Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.
Geraldine Nora Young passed peacefully away on Aug. 6, 2008, in Gilroy. She was 87.
A native of San Francisco and longtime resident of Sonoma, her love of family, friends and community will not go unnoticed. She will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John V. Young, (a San Francisco Police Sergeant for 20 years at the time of his death). She was also preceded in death by her sister, Mary Josephine Kelly, and by her brothers Tim and John P. Kelly. She is survived by her brother, Robert M. Kelly; by her nephews, Robert (Rose) and John (Sarah) Kelly; by her great nephews, Matthew (Kate) and Philip Kelly; and by her great-great-nephew Liam Kelly.
Friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at noon, followed by a vigil at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in her honor on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church, West Napa Street and Third Street West, Sonoma. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Francis Cemetery, E. Napa St. Donations may be made in her name to the charity of your choice. Arrangements under the directions of Duggan’s Mission Chapel/Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma.
Virginia Pauline Ehret, “Polly” or “Granny” to not only her own grandchildren, but to many others in the area who grew up in her care during her years as an in-home day care provider, slipped away peacefully on Aug. 2, 2008 in Sonoma. Polly will be remembered by the many lives she touched as not only a care provider who loved children, but a caring person who understood the trials of the parents of the children she cared for, having been a single, working parent herself. She was a wonderful, kind and loving person, with a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. She always tried her best to make sure everyone around her was comfortable and happy. We will miss you so much, but feel so blessed for the time we did get to spend with you.
Polly was born on Feb. 26, 1918 in Stephenville, Tex., one of six children of Roscoe and Maggie Barron. She was married to R.V. Richardson, with whom she had five children: two infant daughters who died at birth, a son Bobby Dale Richardson, also predeceased, and leaving behind sons Bill Richardson and Chuck Richardson. In 1946, Polly divorced and moved from Texas to San Rafael, Calif. with her three young sons, where she worked hard to keep her family together and care for her boys, who were the most important thing to her. At this time in her life, she met her wonderful second husband, Lauren Ehret. They were married in 1953 and moved to Sonoma in 1955, where they had their one and only daughter, Norma Jean Ehret-Ramazzotti (Joe), and where they remained together until Lauren’s passing in 1997.
Polly resided in Sonoma until her death. She loved Sonoma, and made many friends. She was an active member and officer of both the Women’s Fire Auxiliary for the Volunteer Fire Department in Sonoma and the Sonoma Site Seekers Camper Club for many years. Besides her three remaining children, Polly leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Rich Richardson, Kim Yasay, Dena Frantz, Ray Richardson, Jamie Richardson, Ken Richardson, Kelli Melberg, Justine Valadez, Travis Ramazzotti and Alyssa Ramazzotti; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her loving brother, R. B. Barron and his wife Martha, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Sonoma Healthcare Center for their kind and compassionate care of our sweetheart during her final years.
The family would like to invite friends to an informal memorial service/celebration of life to be held on Sunday, Aug. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at Little Switzerland, 19080 Riverside Dr., El Verano, CA 95433. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to American Diabetes Association, or your favorite charity. Arrangements under the directions of Duggan’s Mission Chapel/Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma.
