From Santa Cruz, California:
September 29, 2001
Newsman Shelby Thompson
Shelby Thompson, a former Santa Cruz County resident and the first person to send a wire photo from Chicago to New York in the early days of the Associated Press, died in Rockville, Md., Sept. 7. He was 94.
Born in 1907 in Cheyenne, Wyo., Thompson had a passion for newspapers that started with his father, John Charles Thompson Jr., the editor of the Cheyenne Tribune.
In his long career, Thompson worked for the Associated Press in Chicago during the days of Al Capone and his mob, in post-World War II Europe and in Florida for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He settled in Santa Cruz County between 1975 and 1994, marrying Mintie V. Putnam of Capitola, who died in 1981. Later, he married Beverly Lewis of Watsonville, who died in 1994. Soon after Lewis’s death, he moved to be near his family in Rockville and moved into the Rockville Nursing Home.
Daughter-in-law Lea Thompson, also a newspaper reporter, said she’s "grateful" to have had a man with such depth of wisdom and support in her life and her children’s.
Mr. Thompson started with the Associated Press in 1928 in Wyoming. Soon, however, he moved to Chicago, heading the wire service’s press news photo and feature service for the central part of the county. His photos appeared in Life Magazine and, in 1945, his news stories and fiction appeared in Coronet and Esquire magazines.
The second half of his career was dedicated to government service. During 31 years, Thompson served as press liaison in Europe for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, the U.S. Atomic Commission at the start of the United State’s nuclear tests and for a fledgling NASA.
Throughout, he argued for press access to government actions, arguing in 1946 that the media ought to be allowed to photograph nuclear bomb tests in the Nevada desert and on Eniwetok and Bikini atolls in the Pacific Ocean.
In 1960, he argued that the press ought to be allowed to attend all rocket launches. He argued that a camera ought to be placed on the lunar lander when people first landed on the moon. When the Eagle landed, the camera was there.
Thompson is survived by sons Shelby Miller Thompson of Rockville and Durke Glynn Thompson of Potomac, Md.; brother Bill Thompson of Cheyenne; and three grandchildren.
Eleanor E. Sinclaire
Services will be later for Eleanor Edgecomb Sinclaire, who died Tuesday. She was 76.
Mrs. Sinclaire was born in Hawaii. She had lived in Santa Cruz County for 13 years.
Mrs. Sinclaire worked as an occupational therapist for 20 years. She was a member of The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
She is survived by sons Peter Sinclaire of Santa Fe, N.M., and Bruce Sinclaire of Cohasset, Mass.; a sister Carol Brown; and two granchildren.
Contributions are preferred to the American Cancer Society, 209 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Arrangements are by Norman’s Family Chapel.
Eunice L. Rosenquist
Memorial services will be Nov. 3 for Eunice Lorraine Rosenquist, who died Sept. 13 in Auburn. She was 83.
Mrs. Rosenquist was born in San Jose and was a school secretary for Cupertino and San Juan School Districts for 19 years.
She enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, bridge, swimming, golf and flower arranging. She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Meadow Vista.
She is survived by her husband, Carl Raymond Rosenquist of Auburn; son David Rosenquist of Gold Run; daughter Carin Chapin of Santa Cruz; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 3 at Faith Lutheran Church in Meadow Vista. Arrangements are by Santa Cruz Memorial Park and Funeral Home.
Fernando Pereira
Services are Sunday for Fernando Pereira, who died Wednesday at his Watsonville home. He was 84.
Mr. Pereira was born in Azores Islands, and came to the United States in 1966.
He had lived in Watsonville since 1971.
Mr. Pereira was a corporal in the Portuguese army. He farmed in the Azores and in Chowchilla and for Green Giant Co. in Watsonville.
Mr. Periera was a member of Valley Catholic Church, ISTW, and Our Lady of Fatima Society at Valley Church. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and woodwork.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rosa Pereira of Watsonville; daughters Fatima Cunha and Mary Carvalho, both of Watsonville; sister Helena Arruda of Chowchilla; and four grandchildren.
Services are at 5 p.m. Sunday at Valley Catholic Church. Friends may call from 1-3 p.m. at Mehl’s Colonial Chapel.
A Mass of Christian burial is at 10 a.m. Monday at Valley Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Valley Public Cemetery.
Donald Scott Cornell
Services are pending for Donald Scott Cornell, who died Sept. 1 in Ukiah. He was 54.
Mr. Cornell lived in Boulder Creek for 35 years, moving to the mountain town when its population was 500.
Before moving to Boulder Creek, Mr. Cornell served four years with the Army Security Agency in the Vietnam War. Once in Santa Cruz County, he worked for Pacific Bell repairing phone lines.
He loved the redwoods. He was a good bowler and pool player, regularly visiting the Felton Bowl. In 1985, Mr. Cornell received the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit, the National Safety Council Letter of Commendation and Pacific Bell’s Certificate of Honor after saving the life of an unconscious man trapped in a crumpled pickup off Zayante Road.
Mr. Cornell is survived by his fiancee, Kay McCoey of Ukiah; mother Gladys Cornell of Ukiah; sons Jeff Cornell of Santa Cruz and Brian Cornell of Chico; daughters Cynthia Cornell and Colette Pristow, both of Custer, S.D.; brothers Arnie Cornell of Oakdale and Joe Kulka of Castro Valley; and two grandchildren; and four nephews.
Arrangements are by Ukiah Valley Mortuary.
September 30, 2001
Marilynn Palermo
Private services will be held for Marilynn Patricia Palermo, who died Monday. She was 66.
Ms. Palermo was born in Chicago, and lived in Santa Cruz for 25 years. Ms. Palermo was an avid reader and jazz lover and worked as a professional cook for many years.
She is survived by two sons, Tony and Mick Palermo, and a daughter, Charlene Wightman.
Norman’s Family Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
