Archived Obituaries

Lillian Lorraine (Souza) Mendonsa returned to her Heavenly Father on Saturday September 6, 2008. Lil was born September 11, 1919 in Suisun, CA to Mary and Thomas Souza. Lillian married her husband of 65 years Ernest Mendonsa in a double wedding with her sister Lucille Giamona. Lillian was raised in Monterey, later moving to Hollister to raise her boys on the family fruit farm. She spent the past 15 years of her life living in Salinas. Her greatest joy was her family, which included two sons, eight grandchildren, and six great- grandchildren. She was a woman of great faith and enjoyed the simple things in life. Lillian was an avid sports fan and received much joy listening and watching her "SF Giants". She herself was an amazing athlete playing women's softball in the "League of Their Own Era". Lil spent much of her adult life coaching women's softball in Hollister. Lillian was so touched and proud to have her third great-granddaughter named "Lilly" in her honor. Our "Mimi" (as she was affectionately known by her family), a name she received from her first and long awaited granddaughter Melissa, will truly be missed and remembered for being the heart of the family.

Lucille Lynn Botelho Ross, 93 of Salinas passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula with her family by her side.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Diabetes Society of Santa Clara Valley.

Grace Evelyn Bergin passed away peacefully at home in Morgan Hill, CA on September 1, 2008.

Lifelong Hollister resident, John Howard O'Brien, passed away from complications of lung disease at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital early Wednesday morning, September 3, 2008. He was seventy-eight years old. He leaves his wife of fifty-six years, Carol Sullivan O'Brien, their four children, Terry Lewis of King City, Shawn O'Brien of Chico, Bart O'Brien of Upland, and Darcy Siegel of La Jolla, and his brother, Charles O'Brien of Hollister. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Joan O'Brien, two sons-in-law, Randy Lewis and Paul Siegel, and seven grandchildren, Hallie Lewis Hunt, Caitlin Lewis Soto, Siobhan O'Brien, Katherine O'Brien, Liam O'Brien, Oren Siegel, and Micah Siegel. Additionally, he is survived by his sister-in-law Virginia Bradt, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tim and Marty Sullivan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Codename: Honeypot was first time author Keith Wander's contemporary mystery novel published just this year. Keith cherished his command as a U.S. Naval Reserve Captain attached to the Nimitz. He was dedicated to his work with Perot for Custom Chrome Co. and as a member of the Church on the Rock He was active with his faith. All ended suddenly in a motorcycle accident on August 30, 2008 in Santa Cruz, California. From his birth on September 23, 1962, Keith Roger Wander grew to accomplish high school at Anderson Indiana, a BA degree from Ball State and a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. Early on he served as a Navy helicopter pilot. Those with whom he worked appreciated his energy, enthusiasm, creativity and drive. Keith is directly survived by Janet D. Wander, his mother of Suttons Bay, MI, his brother Greg N. (Melissa) Wander of Grand Blanc, MI., one niece and two nephews. He is also survived by one aunt, Diane (Fred) Frost of Orlando, FL, uncles, Paul Goldthorpe of Amherst, OH, and David (Carol) Goldthorpe of Herndon, VA. Keith was predeceased by his father Keith Wander and his uncle Roger Wander. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at Generation Foursquare Church (145 Martinvale Ln, San Jose, CA 95119) beginning at 7:00 P.M. Please share your remembrances of Keith at his blog, keithwander.spaces.live.com/guestbook/

She is survived by her children Barbara (Ralph) Borelli, Tony (Rosie) Bettencourt, Rose (Bob) Hess, Kathy (Mike) Camino, Louie (Keithly) Bettencourt, David (Renee) Bettencourt, and Apple (Paul) Fierro; she is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Steven Michael Andersen was born at Santa Teresa Hospital in San Jose,CA and passed away in Phoenix, AZ.

As per her wishes, no services are planned.

Visitation will be Sunday 9/7/08 at 5:00-8:00 P.M.