María de Jesús López
1929- 2015

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – María de Jesús López, 85, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

She was a devoted wife to Martin López (deceased); mother, to her 10 loving children, Enrique, Ampelia, Natividad, Jesus, Lety, Marcos, Martin, Juan, Maria “Dubie” and Armando; and grandmother. 

She celebrated 70 years of marriage to Martin López prior to his death.

María de Jesús “Nina” was born on May 10, 1929, in La Higuera Municipio Juchitlán, Jalisco, México to Miguel Núñez Ramírez (deceased) and Rosario Casillas Hernández (deceased).

She married Martin López in 1944. In the late 70s she joined him in California, moving the rest of the family to Upper Lake.

They knew that moving to the United States would offer their children a better life. She knew that life in Mexico was changing and not for the better.

At the age of 6 she learned the responsibilities of the household by being the cook and mother to her baby brother.

She often said that in order to reach the woodstove, she needed to put four bricks to reach the “metate” to grind the corn and make tortillas.

At that young age she would get up at 4 a.m. to cook breakfast and pack lunch for a long day ahead.

She worked right along her father from sun up to sun down in the fields. On a monthly basis she was known to join her father in the hunt for the months’ supply of meat.

She never complained, not even during the last minutes of her life.

The move to the United States provided the opportunities that as parents they dreamed of and much more.

The family grew up in Upper Lake and the majority still live in Lake County, raising their own children.

She is lovingly known as “Nina” by her grandchildren and all extended friends and family.

She was an incredible cook who always had a warm kitchen waiting for everyone for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and when she knew company was arriving, she made sure that food was ready. She often said that love starts in the stomach with a great meal.

Her most favorite time was surrounded by all her children and their families. She loved gatherings, no matter how large or small.

When not cooking, she would be knitting her own clothing line from scarfs to sweaters, baby shoes, comforters, baby blankets, baby sweaters and table clothes. Many of her handmade items were specially created for her individual children or grandchildren in addition to her personal collection of sweaters and hats.

She also was an incredible seamstress. Up until she moved to the USA, she made all of the clothes for the family and friends. She had a very keen eye for patterns. People would describe the style of the dress, jacket or shirt and she would make it.

She simply did not stop … she gave her all to her family. She taught her children and grandchildren determination, a sense of strong work ethic and most of all an understanding of the importance of family.

One thing she will always be known for was her daily schedule: breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at noon and dinner at 5 p.m. and any time in between for anyone who visited – the kitchen was always open.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her 10 children, Enrique (Irma), Ampelia (Luis) Garcia, Natividad (Rosa), Jesus, Leticia (Joaquin), Marcos (Norma), Martin, Juan (Renee), Maria “Dubie” (Gonzalo), Armando (Leria); many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Lina; brother, Florencio; and many, many extended family and friends.

She was preceded by her children, Felipe and Antonio; sisters, Maria “Lico” and Josefina; brother, Jose; and parents, Miguel and Rosario.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, on Friday, May 1, from 3 to 6 p.m., with a rosary service at 6 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport, on Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m.

The family invites you to also join them after Mass at Upper Lake Cemetery at 870 Clover Valley Road, followed by a remembrance at Maria’s home in Upper Lake.

Donations may be sent to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1862 Parallel Drive, Lakeport, CA 95453,  by phone at 707-263-6222 or online at http://www.lakecountyhospice.org/donate/ .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Donna Gale, 84, of Lakeport, formerly of Santa Clara, Calif., died peacefully surrounded by family on April 24, 2015.

She was the daughter of the late Matthew and Rose Powell of Clearlake, Calif., and the sister of Florence Peck of Lakeport, Calif.

Donna was a devoted nurse for 41 years. Donna’s interests centered on her family and church friends. 

She took great pleasure in sports and was known to always root for the underdog.

She is survived by her children, Timothy (Lidia) Gomes of Morgan Hill, Calif., Cathy Gale of Lakeport (previously of Firenze, Italy), Matthew (Leslie Ann) Gale of Vacaville, Calif., and Grace Gale of Annapolis, MD.

She also is survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was dedicated to her two nieces, great-nephew and three great-nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m.

For further information please call 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dick passed April 25, 2015, age 95.

He was a devoted and loving husband and father.

His jovial nature and compassion for everyone made him an uncle to some, and grandfather to others.

Light-hearted, sweet and gentle, he will be deeply missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Cremation arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, telephone 707-263-0357 or 994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dolores Mary Vallier Westrich, our beloved “LoLo,” born Sept 25, 1929, passed away on April 25, 2015, with her husband Jim holding her hand.

She fought a courageous battle with breast cancer and leukemia, and died with the grace and dignity with which she lived her life.

She was a Lake County resident for 23 years.

LoLo was a gifted artist who created beauty in media ranging from oil-on-canvas to scrimshaw and stained glass.

She was a talented writer who began her career still in high school as a weekly columnist for the Desert Limelight newspaper in Palm Springs, Calif. By the age of 20, she was writing a daily column for the Colorado Springs Gazette.

As a freelance writer, she authored two nonfiction books, numerous short stories and magazine articles. She was a prolific poet who published more than 100 poems. Her work was published in several magazines and newspapers, including the Christian Science Monitor and The Saturday Evening Post.

As gifted as she was, LoLo’s greatest joy was her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and aunt.

While raising her children, her home was a gathering place for all of the neighborhood children. She delighted the younger children with her summer afternoon storybook readings. Older children were amazed to find that she was genuinely interested in their opinions and ambitions.

Importantly, she took the time to teach anyone who was willing the art of consuming great quantities of vanilla ice cream and chocolate brownies.

LoLo’s most endearing characteristics were her beautiful cheerfulness and her openness to ALL people. She never passed a down-and-outer without contributing something; a new mother without telling her that her baby was the most beautiful she had ever seen (she truly meant it each and every time with no sense of any contradiction), or anyone who needed cheering up. That’s who she was. She was LoLo.

LoLo is survived by her husband of 51 years and best friend, Jim; her children: Michael Sims (Mary), Russell Sims, Dolora Westrich and Shawna Gannon; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandsons.

She also is survived by her loving brother and lifelong confidant, Dr. Robert Vallier (Jeanette); niece, Kris Kouzelos; nephew, Todd Robertson and their families.

Lolo is predeceased by her sister, Dorothy Donahue.

To know LoLo was a joy and a privilege. As a friend wrote recently, “Heaven will be a better place when LoLo Westrich arrives.”

A funeral Mass will take place at 12 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middletown.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel.

Please share your loving memories of Dolores by signing her online guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com and www.legacy.com .

Ruth Jane Thompson Brower
May 22, 1922-April 21, 2015

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Ruth was born in Leadville, Colo., she as a graduate of Bethel School of Nursing. She passed away peacefully with family in attendance on April 21, 2015.

She is survived by daughters Adela Sue Brower and Phyllis Kelsey (Kirt), Sister Avis Sodic and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was a member of the Middletown Lioness, Middletown Red Hats, Clearlake Quilt Guild, Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild and Middletown Senior Center.

Celebration of life, featuring a potluck, will be at the Middletown Lions Club House, Central Park Road, from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 8.

There also will be a potluck and life celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, in Keislar Hall at El Sobrante United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.

In lieu of flowers family requests donation to your senior center or Middletown Senior Center P. O. Box 1037, Middletown, CA 95461.

WALTER GAEL LYON
Sept. 28, 1931 – April 17, 2015

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Walt Lyon of Kelseyville passed away April 17, 2015, after a short illness, surrounded by his treasured family.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Madelene; daughters, Kathy Windrem (Peter), Marie Kong (Tod) and Beth Keiffer (Bob); and sons, Thomas (Pam) and Jeffrey (Jayne). Also surviving are nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sister, Carolyn Echols (John). His beloved Border Collie, Nell, misses the daily outings they had together.

Walt served as an Army officer both on active duty and as a reservist for more than 15 years, but his life's work was in agriculture.

He was a pioneer in the winegrape industry in Lake County, as a founding member of Konocti Winery and President of Lake County Vintners for 38 years.

He served as a board member of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and was a founding board member of the Lake County Winegrape Commission.

A graduate of UC Davis, he was dedicated to keeping up with the current developments and research related to agriculture.

A man of many interests, Walt pursued various and assorted hobbies, a few of which were reading, aviation, fishing, clock-making and astronomy.

His love of adventure and learning inspired world travel with family and friends. His true passion was Model A Fords, taking special pride in the restoration of the 1931 coupe purchased by his parents shortly before he was born.

Walt was always willing to lend a hand, whether you were a neighbor, fellow farmer or community member.

Walt gave generously of his time to Boy Scouts, Taylor Observatory, Kelseyville Food Pantry and other organizations. He enjoyed leading nature hikes on Mt. Konocti and Clear Lake State Park.

A  celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. at the pavilion in Clear Lake State Park, 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

For those wishing to attend, please bring a potluck dish, a folding chair and your memories of Walt to share.

In case of rain, the celebration will be held at the Holdenried Packing Shed on Benson Lane, Kelseyville.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Kelseyville Food Pantry, P.O. Box 310, Kelseyville, CA 95451 or Friends of Taylor Observatory, P.O. Box 538, Kelseyville, CA 95451.