Archived Obituaries

Madelyn (Mike) O'Connell Bourdet passed away in Gilroy. Madelyn was the proud mother of son Shawn Bourdet (Necole Geslin) and son Wyatt Bourdet (wife Lacy Bourdet). She was preceded in death by her parents Fenton and Gladys (Pat) O'Connell. Madelyn attended St. Mary Grammer School, Gilroy High School, Gavilan College in Gilroy and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She was a member of Santa Clara County Cattleman's Assoc., San Benito County Cattleman's & Cattlewomen's Assoc., Women of the Outdoors and Kinship Center of San Benito County. Her greatest joy are her grandchildren Garrett and Tucker Bourdet and April Flook. She was eagerly anticipating the birth of her granddaughter Braydee Bourdet. She is also survived by her sister Kay Vernor and nieces Kim and Jill Vernor as well as many other cousins, nieces, nephews and three special "50 plus year friends", Vicki Coehlo Moss, MaryAnn Prendergast Wiley, Linda Sargenti Martin and many other special friends.

Resident of Hayward

Eleanor Marie Harper, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, born on, October 10, 1917, passed away peacefully at the age of 92, at the Southside Mabie Center on March 4, 2010.

Rosary:3/12/10 10 AM F.H. Mass:3/12/10 11 AM Sacred Heart Church.

Beatriz Valdez Zertuche went to be with her Lord Jesus on March 5, 2010 surrounded by her family. She was the mother of Joe (Patti) Zertuche and Ralph (Lisa) Zertuche of Gilroy. Beatriz was the grandmother of Michaela, Olivia, Noah and Nicholas Zertuche. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Sr., her infant son Richard and her parents Donaciano "Chanito" and Dominga Valdez. Beatriz is survived by her brother Victor (Anna) Valdez her loving sister and brother in law Jenny and Rudy Perez also of Gilroy. Her primary caregivers were her "heart of gold" nephew Art Fuentez and her neighbor Linea "Lilly" Magana. She also had many nieces and nephews.

Rosary:3/10/10 7:00PM F.H. Mass: 3/11/10 10:00AM Sacred Heart Church.

Born in Independence, KS, Chuck was a professional piano player before earning a bachelors degree in Mathematics from UCLA. He was a world traveler and avid golfer. He enjoyed fishing with his brother, Carl out of Moss Landing. He retired at 62 from IBM as a programmer and spent his retirement at his lakeside home on Uvas Rd. 

Hermie May Medley died peacefully at home on February 28th, after a brief illness. Born in Centralia, WA and raised in Oregon, Hermie moved to Gilroy, CA in the 1950s and resided there for over 40 years. She taught children with disabilities at the Gateway Center in Gilroy for 20 years. She was active in any and all events her children participated in, from athletics to band and 4H. When her grandchildren took an interest in theater, she became a producer and a member of the local community theater. 17 years ago, Hermie relocated to Santa Cruz, where she invested her energies in writing poetry. Her work was frequently published in literary journals and she was a regular contributor at local poetry groups and the Celebration of the Muse, an annual reading of poetry by Santa Cruz County women writers. Hermie loved living near the ocean and the open, liberal attitude of the Santa Cruz community. She was a feminist and peace advocate and felt Santa Cruz embodied the beliefs she held dear. Hermie is survived by her daughter, Robin Medley; daughter-in-law, Jane Medley; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Megan and Kevin Tresham; grandsons, Ethan Stocks, Charlie Medley, Joe Medley, and Andy Medley; great-grandchildren, Kalen and Mason Tresham; three brothers, nieces, nephews and many, many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Medley; sons, Steven and Peter Medley; brother, Burt Palmer; and parents, Roy and Mina Palmer. A memorial service will be held for Hermie on Saturday, March 13, at 3:30 P.M. at Innerlight Ministries, 5630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries or Poetry Santa Cruz. A special thanks to the many friends, old and new, who so lovingly cared for Hermie during her final weeks. Her family is eternally grateful for your love and support.

Ronald J. Jones lost his battle with leukemia in Pagosa Springs, CO. on February 26th, 2010.

Gilbert Louis Fresquez passed away at his home in Live Oak on February 27, 2010 at the age of 61 after a brief valiant battle with cancer. He had been a 15 year Hollister resident. He was born on October 3, 1948 to Andronico and Sarah Fresquez in Ranchitos, New Mexico. Born into a family of Colorado ranchers and descended from Spanish settlers in New Mexico; he was raised in the rural town of Manassa, Colorado. He graduated from Centauri High School in La Jara, Colorado in 1967. He graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in Industrial Arts from San Mateo College in 1970. While attending college he worked at Bay Meadows race track as a horse trainer. He was a true horseman. After graduation he worked as a welder for General Electric and later as a manufacturing engineer at Teledyne McCormick Selph Inc. In 1972 he married the love of his life (the former) Antonia C. Fernandez and they raised their three children Reina, Carlos, and Rosalinda on a 15 acre farm in Hollister, Ca. In 1986 Gilbert built their family a new home during his hours after work. In 1990 the family moved to Yuba City where he worked as a welder and handyman. Mr. Fresquez was a true craftsman. He could fix automobiles, construct/repair homes, draw, and weld scrap metal into beautiful sculptures/objects. He was always the first to offer help to a friend or family member and had a terrific sense of humor, keeping those around him well entertained.