Archived Obituaries

Mary Thomason Ward Kane passed away on October 9, 2008 at the age of 97 after a long and fulfilling life. Born in Belton, Texas, she grew up in Laredo, Texas with her parents and sister Margaret. Her father was a well-known physician and her mother was a school teacher in Laredo. Mary became a primary school teacher in Texas before moving to Southern California in the 1930's where she met and married George R. Kane, a newspaper man. They had two daughters, Alexandra and Sara, in Los Angeles before moving to Sunnyvale after WWII, where George was editor of the Sunnyvale Standard newspaper. In 1948 they moved to an old Victorian house on Fifth Street, Gilroy, where they spent many happy years. George served as publisher of the Gilroy Dispatch fom 1948 before moving to Los Gatos in 1956 as publisher of the Los Gatos Times-Observer. After retirement in 1977, they moved to Santa Cruz, where they had maintained a beach house since the early 1960's. Mary and George traveled extensively in Europe, regularly visited museums in San Francisco and abroad, attended rare book and fine printing events and enjoyed many adventures together and with friends after retirement. Mary always loved to garden and was involved in the Friends of the UC Arboretum and the Women's Club at UC Santa Cruz. Mary will be remembered for being warm, gracious and elegant, with always the perfect thing to say to put everyone at ease. In addition to being a wonderful hostess, an avid gardener, excellent cook and talented artist, she and George remodeled their houses in Gilroy and Los Gatos, along with their Santa Cruz house, filling them with antiques and books. She loved taking excursions with her granddaughter to Oregon and Northern California - especially to see wildflowers in the spring. She is survived by her husband of almost 70 years, George R. Kane of Santa Cruz, daughter Alexandra Kane of Carmel, daughter Sara Kane and son-in-law John Roberts of Santa Cruz, granddaughter Gillian Hunter of Edinburgh Scotland and her husband Rory. She also leaves one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews. A private celebration of her life will occur in the future. Contributions in her memory to the UCSC Arboretum, care of the UCSC Foundation at 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 would be appreciated.

Passed away in Hollister. Private cremation and inurnment.

Passed away Thursday, October 23, 2008. Wife of the late Mike J. Conrotto. Mother of Marla J. Chavez (Tom) of Gilroy and Mike R. Conrotto (Michelle) of Gilroy. Grandmother of Tom Chavez(Gondie), Corby Chavez, Kelly Johnson (Brad), Wendy Conrotto and Tammy Conrotto. Step-grandmother of Stephanie Nadler and Kenny Anderson. Great-grandmother of Garrett & Matthew Chavez, Kara & Amber Johnson. Great-step-grandmother of Christopher & Cory Nadler.

Roberta Brass Garrettson ('Bert'), a Sun Valley, Idaho pioneer and early ambassador, passed away in Twin Falls, ID. She was born on March 15, 1912 in Caldwell, ID to Ernest F. and Gertrude Hart Brass. She was the youngest and last of the five Brass children, including her twin brother Richard and older sisters Ernestine, Elizabeth and Marjorie.

Albert J. Perry passed away in Hollister at the age of 95. He was born in Los Gatos and lived in Hollister since 1966 moving here from Los Banos. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, San Benito Co. Farm Bureau, Italian Catholic Federation, SIRS, SDES and Bolado Golf Course Men's Club. Albert was innovative in his farming operations. He tested row crops for several seed companies, was an accomplished welder and mechanic and taught many farm workers to graft and prune trees. He enjoyed family gatherings and liked to travel, especially trips he took to Lake Tahoe to play the slot machines. Albert was also an excellent Pedro player and he really enjoyed it and was very good at it. In addition to travel Albert enjoyed golfing and fishing.

Gerry Waller passed away at the age of 60 on October 18th in Oregon City, OR. He was born and raised in Hollister, and attended Hollister High School. He served in the Army in the Vietnam War and moved to Oregon, where he worked as a handyman.

Gonzalo Stephen Valencia (Chalo), 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 26, 2008, at his Gilroy home with his loving wife, Nancy and family members at his side. Chalo was born in Rancho Cucamonga, California on May 18, 1929 to Anna and Pascual Valencia.

Laurette C. Ehrich loved dearly by her family passed away peacefully at her home in Gilroy on October 24, 2008 surrounded by her family. Laurette was born October 4, 1923 on Mount Madonna where she lived until she was 13. She then moved to Gilroy where she attended Gilroy High School and met her husband Jack S. Ehrich who preceded her in death in 1980. Laurette worked for Eustice Insurance Agency for many years. She also worked and eventually retired from Wheeler Hospital/St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy. She was a remarkable woman with a great talent of crocheting. Laurette was a charter member of Las Animas Post 669 of the American Legion Auxiliary, a member of The ICF District 28 and The Others Club. She belonged to the P.T.A. of her daughter's school. She enjoyed playing Bridge and Bunco with her many friends.

Passed away at her Hollister home at the age of 72.

Edna May Marrujo (nee Ervin), a retired cannery worker, died peacefully in the embrace of her loving daughters on October 21st, 2008. She was 84. She was the daughter of Oliver and Ardath Ervin.