Archived Obituaries

"Why Can't We Be Friends!"

Sophie Figueroa Vega, long time resident of Morgan Hill, and who moved to Roswell, New Mexico 4 years ago, went home with the Lord on December 14, 2006 at the age of 75. She is survived by her husband Pedro; her daughter Margie and her husband Ramon Melendez, Dolores Sanchez, Olivia Jaime, Johnny Jaime Sr. and wife Shaly, Isabel and husband Jose Delgado; and Lorenzo Chavez Jr. and wife Stella, and late son Andrew Chavez. She is the daughter of Carlos and Isabel Figueroa, and she has one sister, Sobeida Nunez; and brother, Guadalupe Figueroa. 24 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren survive her. She also has numerous nieces and nephews.

Muriel Humfeld, born November 15, 1935 in El Centro, CA, died peacefully with her brother-in-law Charles Barrena and his wife Linda at her bedside in her final hours on Saturday, December 16, 2006, at Valley House Convalescent Center. Preceded in death by her father, Merrill Humfeld, mother Lou Ell Humfeld and sister Virginia Barrena. She is also survived by her nephew Douglas, nieces Carmela and Lynette and cousin Luella Sutherland. She also had other nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Linda Dortch, a long-time resident of Morgan Hill, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, December 17, 2006. She is survived by her two brothers; John and Charles (Rena) Dortch and one sister, Glenda. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clay and Mary Martha Dortch. Services were held in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Guadalupe Garcia passed away in San Jose. She was the infant daughter of Norma Garcia of Hollister. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19th, at 10:00 A.M. at the IOOF Cemetery in Hollister. Rev. Claudio Cabrera of Sacred Heart Church will officiate.

Pearl E. O'Donnell passed away at Mabie Skilled Nursing Center Southside on Friday, December 15th, at the age of 93 years. Pearl was a native of Aromas, CA and had lived in San Benito County since 1936. She was a graduate of Watsonville High School; San Benito Junior College; as well as Healds Business College. Pearl was Past President of Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxillary, the Sacred Heart Mother's Club, and the Bolado Park Ladies Golf Club. She was a member of the American Field Service; Children's Services of Monterey and San Benito Counties; San Benito Historical Society, Sacred Heart Altar Society; Ridgemark Ladies Golf Club, and the Y.L.I. of Hollister. Pearl was the Elections Clerk for San Benito County from 1954 until 1974. She is survived by her husband John L. "Jack" O'Donnell ; son and daughter-in-law Jim and Margaret O'Donnell; daughter Kathleen O"Donnell; sister-in-law Pat O'Donnell; brother-in-law James Paxton all of Hollister; and grandchildren Patrick O'Donnell of Hollister, John and Bethany O'Donnell of Brentwood, CA.

Nancy B. Mora Oropeza passed away at Monterey Park Hospital in Southern California on Dec. 15th, after a courageous year long battle with cancer. Nancy was a native of Hollister, attended local schools, San Benito High School, and was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. "Nancy's main focus was her family and her children, she was a full time Mom", said her family. "Nancy liked to shop, keep herself tidy and pretty, as well as travel to Mexico to see relatives". She and her husband Nicolas Mora have been married for 11 years. Surviving also are her children: Yazmeen, Jorge, and Jocelyn Mora; her parents, Jose and Esperanza Oropeza, of Hollister; her grandparents, Margarito and Agripina Oropeza of Hollister; her mother-in-law Juana Mora of Mexico; her brother Luis A. Oropeza and sister Laura Oropeza Quintero of Hollister; nieces Briana and Isela Quintero; nephews Joshua D. and Adrian Oropeza.; and many aunts uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by her father-in-law Nicolas Mora.

Tommy passed away quietly in his sleep at St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy on December 14. He is survived by Loa Castro, his wife of 59 years,and sister, Mary (Jim) Duncan, of Gilroy; children: Gordon (Cindy) Castro of San Jose, Dennis Castro of Newman, Richard (Susan) Castro, and Patty (Dan) Alvarez of Gilroy; brother-in-law G.B. Smith of Gilroy; and his lifelong friend, Richard Masoni of Gilroy. He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Tony, Eddie, and Manuel Castro, sister Lena Coutinho, grandson Aaron Castro, and brother-in-law Sonny Smith.

Delphino R. Castro passed away at his Hollister home.

Henry "Hank" Borowski, 85, died Sunday, December 10, in Gilroy, CA. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Hank graduated from Temple University and then served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the South Pacific. Hank was employed at Sears Roebuck in Pottstown, PA for 30 years and was a very active member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church.