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Mary Louise Teurman
No services are planned for Mary Louise Teurman, who died June 1, 2006, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.
Mary was born May 23, 1925, in North Hollywood, Calif., and had been a 14-year resident of South Lake Tahoe.
She was an apartment manager, mother and artist.
She is survived by daughters, Sharon Sanders of Durham, Calif., Elizabeth Telford of Aurora, Colo., Gay Teurman of Sacramento and Joy Klepac of Roseville, Calif.; grandchildren, Brand De Lallo of Sacramento, Heather Sanders of Durham, Ryan Davis of Aurora, Bert Sanders of Chico, Calif., and Rachel Murray of Oroville, Calif.; and great-grandson, Tyler Murray of Oroville.
Betty J. Soyland
No services are planned for Betty J. Soyland, who died June 2, 2006, in Gardnerville, Nev. She was 79.
Betty was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Chicago, Ill., to Garfield and Alyce Nielson. She married Richard B. Soyland Dec. 20, 1952, in Pasadena, Calif. She was a resident of South Lake Tahoe before moving to Gardnerville. Betty had been the owner of Meyers Trophy Loft and a member of Sons of Norway and South Lake Tahoe Yacht Club.
She is survived by her husband, Richard B. Soyland of Gardnerville; children, Patti Tholen, Lauri Pearl and Rick Soyland of Gardnerville and Jodi Peck of Visalia, Calif.; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Waltons Douglas Coun ty Mortuary in Minden, Nev.
Jeanne Marie Bottini
Private family services were conducted for Jeanne Marie Bottini, who died peacefully April 10, 2006, at Carson Tahoe Hospital, following a short illness.
Jeanne was born Feb. 12, 1916, in San Francisco, Calif., and moved to Marin to raise her family. She and her husband, Frank Bottini, purchased a vacation home in Tahoe in 1964. They retired and made it their permanent home in 1973 and Jeanne lived at Tahoe until January 2006. She loved to fish at Caples Lake in the summer, adored her dog, Jezebel, and spent most of her time during the summer tending her garden.
She is survived by sons, George and Richard Bottini; grandchildren, Mark Bottini, Robyn Guthrie, Jennifer Mendonca and Geoff Bottini; and great-grandchildren, McKenna and Wyland Guthrie and Natalie and Matthew Mendonca. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Bottini.
Renee Treasa Weiss Francis
Renee Treasa Weiss Francis, 74, died Jan. 15, 2006, in Henderson, Nev., after a courageous battle with cancer. She died in the home of her daughter, Kerry, and son-in-law, Greg, surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren.
Renee was born Oct. 15, 1931, in Elgin, N.D., to Mathilda and Frederick Weiss, one of 16 children and the youngest daughter. Renee grew up on the small family farm and led the life of a rural girl, helping on the farm and around the tiny house. Her family loved music, and Renee and her sister, Cecilia, were already performing at church and at county fairs at the ages of 5 and 6 years old, harmonizing and wearing the little dresses their mother made for them. Renee graduated from high school at the age of 17, and left soon after to live with siblings in Portland, Ore., where her singing career blossomed. Renee sang in clubs and ballrooms around the Portland area with a variety of bands and also did some modeling and radio spots. While still a teenager she began traveling with a number of bands, including the Henry Busse band. During this time in her life she was able to travel to the 48 contiguous states in the continental U.S.A. Most significantly, in her late teens, Renee attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Portland, and there she gave her life to Christ. Thus began her life of faith, which grew, deepened, and flourished over the course of her life.
In 1955 Renee met Joe Francis at the Wort Hotel in Jackson, Wyo., where he was working and she was singing. After about 10 months they were reunited in Las Vegas, Nev., where Joe had come to work and Renee was singing. After one week they were married March 8, 1956, by the justice of the peace. Shortly thereafter they moved to Reno, where Renee began her new career as a wife and mother and Joe began his lifelong career in gaming. He was with Harrah's for the last 23 years of his life. At the time of Joe's death, he was the senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Holiday Casino Las Vegas. Renee said that Joe was the one man she was willing to give up her singing career for, and gladly did so when they married. They raised their four children in Reno and Lake Tahoe, and the family enjoyed outdoor sports like camping, boating, water and snow skiing, hiking, tennis, and golf, as well as family vacations. They attended churches in Reno and later Lake Tahoe, and Renee was always active in the church, singing in the choirs, attending Bible studies, and serving in a variety of capacities. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and she instilled her love for God in her children, both by word and by action.
Renee and Joe moved to Las Vegas in 1983. They enjoyed their lives as empty-nesters, playing golf and tennis, taking long walks outside, traveling, and visiting their grown children. Joe died in August 1987, and Renee spent her last 18 years as a widow. Her love for Joe never faded, and she yearned for the day when she believed they would be reunited in heaven. Renee filled her life with family, friends, church and her Christian walk, service, and tennis, golf, and bridge. Some of the ways in which Renee served included volunteering at Nathan Adelson Hospice, visiting the elderly in nursing homes, helping care for infant triplets, leading Bible studies, prayer ministry and so many other church ministries, and helping her children and grandchildren in many ways. Renee enjoyed sharing the lives of her six grandchildren. She was a familiar presence at her grandchildren's programs, recitals, games, and other events, as well as in their homes. Renee also traveled extensively with her son, Joel, to places like Alaska, Spain, Norway, Israel, Germany, Nova Scotia, and Eastern Europe.
Renee was admired for her faith in Christ, her beauty, grace, and elegance, her love and concern for every person she knew, her acts of love and service, her spunk and energy and zest for life, her contagious and beautiful smile, and her faithfulness to all of her friends and relatives over the years. Her acts of love, kindness, and faithfulness cannot be numbered. Renee was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, and she will be deeply missed by all.
Renee is survived by her children, Kerry Dean, Heidi Peterson, and Joel Francis; sons-in-law, Greg Dean and Kurt Peterson; grandchildren, Aaron, Jared, Emily, and Lucas Dean, and Blake and Tucker Peterson; and siblings, Erna Bauer, Fred Weiss, Marvin Weiss, and Curtis Weiss and their families. She was predeceased by her husband and a son who died as a premature infant.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at Warm Springs Baptist Church, 2075 E. Warm Springs Road, Las Vegas.
Arrangements are by Palm Mortuary.
Phyllis Martha Rider
Memorial services will take place Jan. 28 for Phyllis Martha Rider, who passed away peacefully Jan. 12, 2006.
A second generation Finn, Phyllis was born May 12, 1927, in Astoria, Ore., to Eino and Aino Ryding. She grew up in Clatskinle and Astoria, Ore. After she married in 1953 she moved to San Diego, where her husband was stationed in the U.S. Navy. The past 12 years she had been a resident of Menlo Park, Calif. She was an avid reader, the valedictorian of her high school class, an excellent seamstress and she loved to dance. Phyllis was a wonderful homemaker, mother and grandmother. She will remembered for her love of life and her generosity to all. She was always there for those in need. She will be missed each and every day and will be in the hearts of her family and friends forever.
She is survived by her husband, Fredrick Rider of South Lake Tahoe; son, Jonathon Rider; daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Gary George; grandson, Jonathon Paul Pierce; brothers and sisters, Norma DeMent, Irene Heam, Robert Ryding, Allen Ryding, Teresa Adams and Barbara Cordell; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorial services will begin at 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at McFarlane Mortuary, 887 Emerald Bay Road.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, (800) 227-2345. Condolences may be sent to 10 Coleman Place, No. 2, Menlo Park, CA 94023.
Arrangements are by McFarlane Mortuary. (530) 541-3095.
Nita Nicotera
Memorial services will take place Jan. 25 for Nita (Turner) Nicotera, who died Jan. 13, 2006, at Kit Carson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jackson, Calif. She was 81.
Nita was born Oct. 26, 1924, in San Francisco. She had been a resident of South Lake Tahoe for 35 years. She lived in Merced, Calif., since 2001 and Jackson the past year. She was a bookkeeper for 40 years.
She is survived by her stepdaughter, Phyllis Pitchford of Atwater, Calif.; niece, Cecile Kaiser of Arnold, Calif.; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will take place at The Hampshire, 3460 R Street, Merced, Calif. Private inurnment will follow.
Arrangements are by Angels Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 944, Angeles Camp, CA 95222 (209) 736-4552.
Louis E. Starrh
Services will take place Saturday in Gardnerville, Nev., for Louis E. Starrh, who died Jan. 20, 2006. He was 84.
Louis was born Oct. 9, 1921, in Rigby, Idaho, to George and Mary Starrh and served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He was a resident and farmed in Hanford, Calif., for many years before his semi-retirement to South Lake Tahoe, where he was a business owner.
He retired to Gardnerville in 1977.
Louis was a lifetime member and past master of Masonic Douglas Lodge No. 12 F&AM; a member of Hanford Lodge 74; Knight York Cross of Honor Nevada Priory No. 50; life member and past high priest of Lewis Chapter No. 1 Carson City; life member, Order of High Priesthood and past Illustrious master of KYGCH Capitol Council No. 7 Carson City; Order of the Silver Trowel; General Grand Council R&SM Cryptic Mason of the Year; past commander and life member E.C. Peterson Comandry No. 8 Carson City; past preceptor Holy Royal Arch Knight Templer Priesthood Kerak Shrine Temple; charter member Carson Valley Shrine Club, Yorkrite College; honorary life member Carson Valley No. 33 F&AM Gardnerville.
His love of family, farming, the Masonic Lodge and fellow brothers made for a very active and full life.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa Starrh of Gardnerville; daughters, Loa Booth of Gardnerville and Judy White of Philadelphia; son and daughter-in-law, Arthur and Arlene Starrh of Aptos, Calif.; daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Gary Wilson of Gardnerville, Susan and William O'Neil of Carson City, Julie and Bob Blumenthal of Gardnerville and Jane and Joe Plemons of Maryland; grandchildren, Brian Wilson, Paul Wilson, John Wilson, Spencer Starrh, Justin Starrh, Nichol Handshuh, Autumn Brugess, Carrie Geldhof, Ryan Geldhof, Jenny Shorder, Bill Blumenthal, Peter Plemons, Chris Plemons Jeremy Plemons, Terry Duffy, Laura Kelly, Pat Alan; 15 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Fred Starrh of Shafter, Calif. He was predeceased by first wife, Esther Starrh; second wife, Lucille Starrh; granddaughter, Kelly Wilson; brothers, Irwin Starrh and Gerald Starrh; and sisters, Loa Grainger and Ella May Starrh.
Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church, Gardnerville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Douglas Lodge No. 12 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 262, Genoa, NV 89411.
Arrangements are by FitzHenry's Funeral Home in Gardnerville.
Clay Eugene Barnes
Clay Eugene Barnes passed away peacefully while he slept on March 3, 2006, following a lingering illness.
Clay was born Sept. 1, 1932, in Oakland, Calif., to Cecil "Clay" and Elizabeth Campbell Barnes. Their family experienced the difficult times during the post-depression era from which Clay learned his outstanding "can and do" work ethic, and to appreciate the simple things some take for granted. Clay joined the Navy in 1949 to see the world, but the Korean War began shortly after and he would later joke that all he saw was Korea. He served proudly as a boatswains mate on the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Los Angeles. After the war Clay worked a variety of jobs and enjoyed an auto-racing hobby. He won a multitude of trophies in the Central Valley area beginning with junker stock cars and ending up racing in the super-modified division.
Clay moved to Lake Tahoe in 1966 and soon met and married Janet Williamson Lee, whom he often referred to as the best thing to ever happen to him. She will forever remain the true love of his life. Clay spent the majority of his life earning a living as an owner-operator of heavy equipment. In 1965 he bluffed his way into his first job after renting a backhoe for a half day and digging up a vacant lot, then presenting himself to his first employer as an "experienced" equipment operator. Clay could operate many types of equipment, but it was his skill with a backhoe that would be his claim to fame. Through the years many of his construction associates would comment that Clay was the best backhoe operator they'd ever seen. He got his contractor's license and operated his backhoe service until semi-retiring in 1995. He continued to operate his snow removal business all the way to the end, still serving many of his original customers of more than 38 years.
Clay loved all types of fishing and traveling. He was an avid sports fan and especially loved the Oakland Raiders and NASCAR. He was a wonderful loving husband, father, and a true "character" who made a lasting impression on all who met him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Janet, of South Lake Tahoe; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff Lee and Ali Kipke-Lee of South Lake Tahoe, and Jim Lee and Dr. Sara Trask of Hood River, Ore.; grandsons, Ryan, Brandon, and Travis of South Lake Tahoe and Clayton of Hood River.
He was predeceased by his parents and his son, Gregory.
At Clay's request, there will be no services. Private inurnment will take place at Happy Homestead Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ordinary People Meeting Extraordinary Needs (OPEN), P.O. Box 13802, South Lake Tahoe CA 96151.
Gilbert George Wright
A memorial Mass and celebration of life will take place April 1 for Gilbert George Wright, who died from complications of Parkinson's disease Feb. 20, 2006, at Lake Tahoe, surrounded by his wife and children.
Gil was born Aug. 22, 1926. A graduate of St. Raphael Grammar School and St. Mary's College High School, he interrupted his education to serve in the Army Air Corps during War II. At war's end he attended Santa Clara University before entering the Franciscan Seminary. Upon leaving the seminary he worked for a short time for the state of California and the county of Marin. Gil and Colleen were married in January 1956, after which he continued his education at Notre Dame University, where he received a master's degree in English literature. After teaching at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., he went on to receive a Ph.D. in medieval English from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where he taught for several years. In 1966, while doing research in England and the continent on certain scriptural commentaries of the Middle Ages, funded by grants from the American Philosophical Society and the American Council of Learned Societies, he attended a performance of "Romeo and Juliet" danced by Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev. Gil was profoundly affected by this experience and subsequently he and Colleen endowed a scholarship at The Royal Ballet School, becoming the first non-British citizens to do so.
Upon returning to central Illinois, Gil continued to teach and became intensely involved in efforts to promote the arts throughout the Midwest. He served as the associate director of the university's Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, was the founder and chairman of the Illinois Foundation for the Dance, and served on the Board of Governing Trustees of American Ballet Theater. He was appointed by Gov. Dan Walker to the Illinois Arts Council, served on various advisory committees for the National Endowment for the Arts and was the founder and president of the National Academy of Arts, an accredited boarding school for aspiring dancers and musicians. The academy flourished for several years. Many of its graduates achieved prominence with major dance companies and orchestras throughout this country and abroad. Others achieved similar success in a number of related and non-related fields such as law and medicine.
In 1978 the Wrights relocated to Marla Bay, Nev., where Gil began another career as a real estate appraiser. He earned an MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute and became a partner in Johnson-Wright & Associates, with offices in Reno and Lake Tahoe. He specialized in appraising environmentally sensitive land in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
When Gil was diagnosed with Parkinson's' in 1993 he retired from Johnson-Wright and he and his wife traveled extensively for the next several years, including many excursions to Alaska, Canada and 50 national parks. Gil's passion for learning and keen interest in life kept him immersed in various projects and topics until his death. Among them were stamp collecting, World War II airplanes, the history of Christianity, geology and classic films. His indomitable spirit kept him engaged, alert and positive in spite of his debilitating illness. He was a remarkable man, father and husband, who has a significant impact on many lives.
He is survived by his wife, Colleen; children, Mary (Richard) Santi of Seattle, Wash., John (Karen) Wright of Sparks, Nev., Joseph (Lisa) Wright of Walnut Creek, Calif., James Wright of Walnut Creek, Rebecca (Darren) Chrisman of Reno, Nev.; brother, Sheldon Wright of Marin County, Calif.; sister, Ann Hubbard of Sacramento, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, cousins and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sheldon Bailey Wright Sr. and Helen Freitas Wright Tichnor. He was the oldest surviving grandson of Marin County pioneers, Manuel T. and Maria B. Freitas, and spent many years recreating, and later working, at the Freitas "Home Ranch" in present day Terra Linda, Calif.
A memorial Mass and celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. April 1 at Mission San Rafael Arcangel in San Rafael, Calif.
A self-described "mediocre student," Gil's lifelong passion for education was sparked by Sister Cecile, a Dominican nun who was his eighth-grade teacher at St. Raphael. Gils's wife and children have endowed the Sister Cecile Burns Memorial Fund to assist the library at St. Raphael. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be sent to St. Raphael School - Library Fund, 1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901 or the American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc., 1250 Hylan Blvd., Suite 4B, Staten Island, N.Y. 01305 or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Ronauld J. Gould
A celebration of life will begin at 3 p.m. May 15 at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church in Gardnerville for Ronauld J. Gould, 66, who died April 3, 2006, in Sun City, Ariz., while on vacation.
Dr. Gould was born Dec. 28, 1939, in Omaha, Neb., to Ervin and Esther Gould. He graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1958, from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1962, and the University of Nebraska Medical School in Omaha in 1966. He married Judy Gitter in 1963 and they had two sons, Robert in 1964 and Jeffery in 1966. The marriage ended in divorce in 1994. Dr. Gould completed a general residency in Duluth, Minn., in 1966 to 1967 and a residency in orthopedic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., from 1967 to 1971. Following his residency, Dr. Gould was commissioned as a major in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1971to1974 at Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska. He worked as a civilian surgeon at the Clear Air Force site in Clear, Alaska, from 1974 to1977. He then left Clear and worked in administrative family medicine for the Tanana Chiefs Conference, providing and coordinating medical care for the native villages in the interior of Alaska from 1977 to his retirement in 1997.
While in Alaska he raised and raced sled dogs, completing the Iditarod race three times, and enjoyed hunting and fishing, racquetball and golf. He moved to Minden in December 2000 and married his "Nevada Barb," Barbara (Maloney) Fisher, July 22, 2002. He enjoyed playing with his Irish setters and chickens, gardening, cooking, visiting and helping friends, playing the accordion and the banjo, doing yo-yo tricks, being a clown, and having adventures with his wife. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, DHS Key Club advisor, Northern Nevadans for Nebraska special events coordinator and a member of the Carson Valley United Methodist Church and the bell choir.
Dr. Gould was preceded in death by his parents and sister Chrystal of Nebraska. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Gould of Minden; son Robert and daughter-in-law Amy Gould of Fairbanks, Alaska; son Jeffery Gould of Tucson, Ariz.; granddaughters Maya and Madison of Fairbanks, Alaska; grandson Jackson of Anchorage, Alaska; brother Doug Gould of Omaha, Neb.; and step-daughters Robin Fisher of Oceanside, Calif., and Jill Fisher of Duluth, Minn.
Another memorial service will be held in June in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Memorial contributions can be designated to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Foundation for the cardiac catheter lab project, or to the Kiwanis Ron Gould Memorial Scholarship fund for a local Key Club member.
David Allan Barkley
Last week, longtime Lake Tahoe resident and international businessman David Allan Barkley died tragically in a bicycling accident.
Born in 1940 in Los Angeles, David moved to South Lake Tahoe with his family in 1946. He attended local schools and graduated from South Tahoe High School in 1958, in one of the first graduating classes in Tahoe. After spending three years at the University of Nevada, Reno, David transferred and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business from San Jose State University in 1965.
Upon graduation from college, David moved to San Francisco to take a job at the advertising firm of Foote, Cone and Belding. In 1965, David moved back to South Lake Tahoe to help manage the family business where he worked as vice-president and manager of The Barkley Meat Company from 1967 until 1988.
David Barkley and Ann Merrill married in 1965 and they had two children, Matthew David in 1970 and Sarah Ann Barkley in 1972.
David took flying lessons in 1974 and developed a lifelong passion for aviation, which included earning his private pilot's license, a multi-engine rating, a commercial license, seaplane rating, along with an instrument rating. He had accrued more than 5,000 hours of flight time and was working on the transition from piston engine to jet engine rating at the time of his death.
David and Ann's marriage ended in 1977 and was followed by a brief marriage to Robin Hartz Rose. In 1984, while completing scuba diving certification in Lake Tahoe, David met his current wife, Kitt. Also in that year, David and two longtime friends flew a single engine plane around the world. Sharing his love for adventure, Kitt joined him on a Pacific crossing in 1986. David and Kitt lived for four months in Queenstown, New Zealand, where David began cultivating business connections, establishing Pilot Trading Company in 1986. Now known as Pilot Brands, the company is a leading importer of premium meats and seafood products from New Zealand and Australia. Pilot Brands currently operates from the Zephyr Cove office, where they manage a nationwide distribution network of more than 10 domestic and international sales offices, plants and storage facilities. Combining business with adventure, David would ultimately ferry five planes across the Pacific to various locations in the southern hemisphere.
In addition to flying, David enjoyed world travel and was a passionate athlete. He was a lifelong skier (representing his high school team in ski jumping,) a hang glider, runner, tennis player, golfer, and bike-riding enthusiast. He rode mountain bikes and road bikes and traveled to France last year to follow Lance Armstong's record victory at the Tour de France.
It was while riding his bike along a rural highway near his second home in Bigfork, Mont., that David was struck by a car and killed instantly on May 15. David was an amazing man, having accomplished much in his lifetime.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
David leaves behind his loving wife, Kitt Barkley; son, Matthew; daughter-in-law, Lucia Thoenig; 7-week-old grandson, Gavin; daughter, Sarah; son-in-law, Vince Porter; 6-week-old grandson, Rowan; sisters, Susan Barkley Van Hoosan and Kim Barkley Wilbanks; brother, Fenn (Buck) Barkley Jr., along with their spouses, Bill Van Hoosan, Sam Wilbanks and Libby Barkley as well as several nieces, nephews and devoted friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fenn and Ruth Barkley.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Edgewood Tahoe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Public Broadcasting System or a charity of your choice honoring David's memory.
Kelly Ann Franciamone
Kelly Ann Franciamone died June 11, 2006, at South Lake Tahoe. She was born Nov. 18, 1982, in Baltimore, and attended school in Howard County, Md. Kelly had been a resident of Stateline, Nev., for nine months and worked in the marketing department at Harrah's/Harveys.
She is survived by her father, David Franciamone and his wife, Donna; mother, Kathleen Jackson and her husband, Robert; brothers, David A. Franciamone and Joseph S. Franciamone; and dog, Scrappy.
Viewing will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. June 15 at McFarlane Mortuary, 887 Emerald Bay Road. Following the viewing she will be sent to Maryland for services with friends and family.
Donations in her memory may be made the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A., P.O. Box PET, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158.
Grace A. Downey
Private family services were conducted July 12 at Happy Homestead Cemetery for Grace A. Downey, who died July 7, 2006, at her home in South Lake Tahoe.
Grace was born Jan. 5, 1932, in San Francisco, Calif., and was a 42 year-resident of South Lake Tahoe. She played the organ at Love's Wedding Chapel for many years and volunteered as an organist at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Grace also was a bookkeeper for the family contracting business, Don Downey Construction. She was a homemaker, loved music, gardening and ceramics, and had been a member of the Emblem Club of South Lake Tahoe. Grace was a very loving, giving, wonderful woman and was loved by everyone who knew her. Her family and friends will miss her kind heart, laughter and sweet smile.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ray Downey and Diana Murphy of Bellingham, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Scott Heiser of Sheridan, Calif.; daughter, Sandra Groom of Mt. Shasta, Calif; grandchildren, Lucas, Gabriel, Micah and Hannah Groom, all of Mt. Shasta; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Nancy Schulba of Grass Valley, Calif.; brother, Frank Schulba of South Lake Tahoe; and many friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Don Downey; parents, Vincent and Josephine Schulba; and brother, Robert Schulba.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in her memory be made to Hospice of the Lake, 2092 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 500, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
Amy Colleen Cole
Amy Colleen Cole, 27, passed away at her home on Anita Drive in South Lake Tahoe early Monday morning, Sept. 11.
Amy was born Aug. 31, 1979, at Barton Memorial Hospital. She graduated from South Tahoe High School and lived her entire life here with the exception of her time at UC Santa Barbara and a year in Colorado. She was employed at Alpine Rentals, where she worked as the company's office manager. Amy was a very good property manager, who always showed compassion for the customers and clients of the business.
As a child Amy funneled much of her abundant energy into dance, and danced her way all through high school with Marcia Sarosik. One of her proudest moments was a duet dance she performed with her sister during the recitals of her last year. Amy was inseparable from her dog, Tallac. She loved Tahoe and spent most of her time away from work with Tallac at the beach or hiking around Fallen Leaf Lake. She also loved music and was particularly found of reggae. Amy believed in peace and love of all people and practiced it at every opportunity. Amy loved her family above all else, as her family loved her.
She is survived by her parents, Kevin and Bobbi Cole, and her younger sister, Kristin. She will be missed by a wide circle of friends and family and the world is a poorer place without her.
Anyone who knew Amy, or would like to express support to her friends and family, is encouraged to attend a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, on the Valhalla lawn.
The family requests no flowers. Instead, donations can be made in Amy's name to Sierra Recovery Center, 972 B, Tallac Ave., South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
