United States High School Yearbooks by County
Elisabeth Munter
No services are planned for Elisabeth "Lizz" Munter, who died June 26 in Sun City, Ariz., after a brief illness. She was 56.
She lived in Ben Lomond for 16 years before moving to Arizona about 10 years ago. She was a Superior Court reporter while living here.
After a court-reporting career, she and her husband, Bob, traveled the world together.
She was described as as fun-loving, tender-hearted, creative and a master of crafts who enjoyed giving away her art.
Munter is survived by her husband, Bob, of Sun City; three brothers, two sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements are by Sunland Mortuary and Cremation Center in Sun City.
July 4, 2003
Ardeen Neu Sequeira
Services will be Tuesday for Ardeen Neu Sequeira, who died Sunday of a heart attack in San Jose. She was 80.
A native of Wisconsin, she had lived in Santa Cruz for 16 years. She owned and operated a IGA Grocery Store in Wisconsin and Jackson’s Restaurant and the Snow White Drive-In on Portola Drive in Santa Cruz. She was a former member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. She loved collecting antiques, dolls, and old movie star memorabilia; watching old movies; attending high school reunions and hosting parties for family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, John Sequeira of San Jose, and her four sons and daughters-in-law: James and Gail Neu of Prunedale, Dennis and Carolyn Neu of Placerville, Fred and Shirley Neu of Santa Cruz, and Tommy and Wendi Neu of Santa Cruz. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren and brother and sister-in-law Harold and Jeannette Winkenwerder of Pacific Grove. She is preceeded in death by her husband, Barney Neu, who died in 1971.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church at 126 High Street on Wednesday, commencing at 10:30 a.m. with Father Mike Marini celebrating. A crypt side committal will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum. Vigil services will be held Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at Oakwood Memorial Park Crystal Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Road (adjacent to Dominican Hospital). Calling hours for family and friends will be at the chapel on Tuesday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
Flowers are welcome, and for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Neu Sequeira’s memory to the Dominican Hospital Foundation, 1555 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz, 95065.
July 5, 2003
Alicia Chavez
Services will be Monday for Alicia Chavez, who died in an automobile accident June 30. She was 30.
Chavez was a lifelong resident of Watsonville. She graduated from Watsonville High in 1991. She was a clerk at the Santa Cruz County Courthouse for the past three years and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
She is survived by her longtime partner Anthony Cocroft of Watsonville; her brothers Ramiro Jr. and Adrian of Watsonville; her sisters Maria Isabel and Claudia Andrea of Watsonville; her parents Laura and Ramiro Chavez of Watsonville; and her grandmother Frances Garcia of Portland, Ore.
A rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Sunday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park in Watsonville. Calling hours will be at Mehl’s Chapel today from 5 to 9 p.m., on Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m., and on Monday morning before the Mass.
July 5, 2003
Louis I. Mendoza
Services will be Tuesday and Wednesday for Louis I. Mendoza, who died after a long illness July 3. He was 81.
Mr. Mendoza, a native of El Paso, Texas, lived in Watsonville for about 50 years before moving to Hollister in 1996. He was a truck driver for 28 years for West Coast Farms in Watsonville and then for 12 years for Consolidated Factors in Monterey.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Teresa Mendoza of Hollister; his sons Charlie Mendoza of Hollister and Louis Mendoza Jr. of San Jose; his daughters Mary Ramirez and Barbara Zavala, both of Watsonville; his three sisters Nellie Tarazon of Salinas, Margaret Castro of Hollister and Vicky Avila of Fresno.
A recitation of the rosary will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel in Watsonville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church in Watsonville, followed by a Burial at Watsonville Catholic Cemetery.
Friends may call at Mehl’s 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
July 6, 2003
Nancy T. O’Laughlin
Services will be Monday and Tuesday for Nancy O’Laughlin, who died in Santa Rosa on July 2. She was 75.
Mrs. O’Laughlin was born in San Francisco. She lived along the Central Coast for 32 years, including many years in Santa Cruz.
She was the youngest of four O’Neill sisters. She graduated from St. Paul’s High School in San Francisco in 1946 and married Denoyer "Dee" F. O’Laughlin a year later.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years; her children Pat and Maggie O’Laughlin of Los Gatos; Kevin and Donica O’Laughlin of Chico; Mary Anne and Ron Vasquez of Laguna Niguel; Terry and Bryan Engle of Penrose, Colo.; Peggy O’Laughlin of Los Gatos; Tim and Paula O’Laughlin of Chico; Neill and Denise O’Laughlin of Hollister; and Sheila O’Laughlin of Menlo Park. Mrs. O’Laughlin is also survived by her sister Patsy Giari of Novato. Her two sisters, Peggy Weber and Mary Vantrease, died before her.
Friends may call from 12 to 7 p.m. Monday at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz.
A vigil service and recitation of the rosary will be 7 p.m. Monday. Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church 10 a.m. Tuesday. A private Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz.
Contributions are preferred to St. Anne’s Home, 300 Lake St., San Francisco, CA 94118, or a charity of choice.
July 6, 2003
Mildred E. Spence
Services will be Thursday for Mildred E. Spence, who died Saturday at a Watsonville convalescent hospital. She was 85.
A native of Gowen, Okla., Mrs. Spence graduated from Watsonville High School and had lived in the area most of her life.
She was the manager of the Watsonville office of the Employment Development Department for 35 years before retiring in 1982. She was a member of the Bethel Tabernacle of Watsonville.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Greg Hoffman of Watsonville; sister Lorraine Silva of Watsonville; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Doug Spence, died in 1991. A son, Stephen Spence died in 1982 and a daughter Janet Leider died in 1997.
Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Davis Memorial Chapel, 609 Main St., Watsonville. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Davis Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park in Santa Cruz.
Donations can be made to Bethel Tabernacle, 124 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, CA 95076.
July 8, 2003
Mary F. Martinez
Services will be Thursday for Mary F. Martinez, who died July 5 at Watsonville Community Hospital. She was 82.
Mrs. Martinez was a native of Sonora, Ariz., but had lived in Watsonville for 68 years. She was a floor supervisor for Watsonville Canning Co. for 25 years and a member of Teamsters Local No. 912. She was also a member of St. Patrick’s Church and San Pablo de Colores.
She is survived by sons, Juan of Fremont, Fred and Peter of Watsonville and Ron of Salinas; sisters Henrietta Lopes of Henderson, Nev., Ester Blend and Katie Villarreal, both of Watsonville, and Rosie Manriquez of Carmichael; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A sister, Matilda Jaime, died before her.
A vigil will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church, Watsonville. Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel, 222 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s. Burial will follow at Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1475 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 103, Campbell, CA 95008.
July 8, 2003
Hilda Marie Gelegan
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday for Sister Hilda Marie Gelegan, OP, who died Sunday at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. She was 87.
Sister Gelegan was born in London, Ontario, Canada, and had lived at Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz since her retirement in 1989.
She was baptized Veronica Marguerite Gelegan. She was given the name Sister Hilda Marie when she entered the Adrian Dominican Congregation in 1929.
After receiving a masters degree in English, Sister Gelegan taught first, secondary and college-level education.
Her ministerial assignments took her to MIchigan, Ohio, Illinois and California.
Sister Gelegan’s professional and civic activities included superintendent of schools for the Monterey Diocese; Adrian Dominican community supervisor in Chicago; president of the Chicago Archdiocesan Principals Association; Chicago Archdiocesan Supervisors Association; University of MIchigan Elementary School Advisory Council; and Residents Council at Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz. She also served as a committee member for the National Catholic Education Association and served on the Dominican Hospital board.
She authored numerous education books and wrote articles for professional journals.
Sister Gelegan was listed in "Outstanding Educators of America" in 1970.
Her brother John Gelegan and sister Ruth Noonan died before her.
Friends may call 6-7 p.m. today, with a 7 p.m. vigil service, at Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be at the Adrian Dominican Cemetery in Adrian, Mich.
Arrangements are by the Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel.
July 9, 2003
Ruth Jacobs
Services will be Thursdayfor Ruth Jacobs, who died July 2. She was 96.
Mrs. Jacobs was a native of Venice, Ill.. She and her husband moved to Santa Cruz 56 years ago. She worked alongside her husband in his plumbing business.
Mrs. Jacobs enjoyed reading, crocheting and singing in the church choir.
She is survived by daughter Judith Jacobs of Cheyenne, Wyo.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at La Posada Retirement Community, 609 Frederick St., Santa Cruz.
Arrangements are by Oakwood Memorial Chapel.
July 9, 2003
