March 28, 1962 – Oct. 1, 2016
Sean Patrick Donnelly passed away on Oct. 1. He was born on March 28, 1962 in Burbank and resided in Tujunga. He is survived by his mother, three sisters, one nephew, one niece and numerous cousins.
Sean will be missed by all who knew him as a good friend, a hard worker, an animal lover and a gentleman.
A memorial tribute page for Sean can be found at www.crippenmortuary.com.
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Sean Patrick Donnelly
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William “Bill” Godbey
Aug. 24, 2016
Former Cresenta-Cañada Rotary Club president and district governor Bill Godbey passed away on Aug. 24. He lived with his wife Roberta at Lake of the Ozarks.
Bill served as a Marine Corps pilot in the Pacific in WWII and in Korea during which time he was shot down. He survived at sea three days in a lifeboat before being rescued. He reached the rank of lieutenant colonel before leaving the Marines to start a development company with his brother Chuck in Glendale in the early 1960s. He was responsible for building the La Cañada Country Club.
Bill was a member of the Crescenta-Cañada Rotary Club and was elected club president before advancing to district governor in 1965 and later PDG in 1966. He and his wife at the time, Vivian, travelled extensively in the U.S. and overseas representing the RI president.
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Charles William Hill Jr.
July 19, 1919 – Oct. 5, 2016
Charles passed away peacefully in La Crescenta on Oct. 5.
Charles was born July 19, 1919 in Amarillo, Texas to Rose and Charles Hill Sr. The family moved to Witchita, Kansas before moving to California in 1931. They settled in Costa Mesa then moved to Pasadena where Charles graduated from Pasadena Junior College as an aeronautical engineer.
During World War II Charles joined the Navy, serving in the Seabees in Hawaii as a stevedore loading and unloading ships until the war finally ended. Charles then returned to Pasadena and married Laveta Voigt, a girl he met through friends.
Although jobs were hard to find, he was hired by Lockheed where he worked for 30 years before retiring in 1981. Charles enjoyed retirement, playing golf and being a member of Brookside Golf Course. He was proud of his two hole-in-one trophies. Every morning he would wake up with a song in his head, being a great fan of the swinging years. He loved music and enjoyed playing his tapes and cassettes.
Charles and Laveta, longtime residents of La Crescenta, were married for 70½ years. He is survived by his wife Laveta, sons David (Carol) and Curtis (Diane), granddaughters Rachel (Ryan) Fogelsong and Alllison (Kevin) Gommeringer, and great grandchildren Henry and Evelyn Fogelsong and Parker Gommeringer.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave., Montrose 91020.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Foundation at the above address.
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Bill Thomas
Oct. 9, 2016
Bill Thomas, the founding principal of Crescenta Valley High School, died Oct. 9 in Palm Desert at the age of 91.
In 1960, Crescenta Valley High opened its doors to the first class of sophomores. Bill served as principal for 20 years. A narrative he wrote describing the early days of CV can be found at the Crescenta Valley High School website cvhsfalcons.com.
He counted his years at Crescenta Valley as being rewarding and fulfilling. A newspaper article once referred to him as the “Chief Falcon” and that was probably a fitting title. He was rightfully proud of the students and staff and spoke frequently, fervently and enthusiastically of their achievements all of his days. He enjoyed keeping in touch with both students and faculty members and frequented gatherings in La Crescenta. He recently attended Athletic Hall of Fame celebrations, Small Change for Big Change events, and regular gatherings of retired teachers. A highlight of this summer was playing bridge with Jan McCreery, Shirley Nute and DeAnn Morris.
He leaves behind three children: Steve ’69, Nancy ’71, and Sue ’77, all CV grads. His wife Mona, also a great supporter of all things Falcon, passed away in 2011. Seven grandchildren, their spouses, and 13 great-grandchildren will fondly recall his influence in their lives.
Family life was full of CV athletic events, The Feast of Lights, concerts, plays, and parades. He treasured the overwhelming support that the local community provided for the high school, making it a truly big-time “small town” high school.
Yet he had an ability to separate work from family, not an easy thing to do in a small, tight-knit community. His wife Mona often joked that the only way she knew what was going on at CV was to hear about it from neighbors or read about it in the newspaper.
He was a steady presence in the lives of many, always in the background quietly cheering them on. He will be missed.
The family will celebrate his life in early November.
Donations in his memory may be made to Small Change for Big Change, a CVHS alumni non-profit which raises funds for educational excellence at the school, scbcnow.org, or SCBC, c/o Alice Miyake, P.O. Box 3809, South Pasadena, CA 91031.
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Eva May Trapani
March 22, 1923 – Sept. 17, 2016
Eva was the youngest of three children born to Grace and Alexander Provance in rural Wisconsin. Eva grew up in crushing poverty, her family barely getting by on what little income her father, an itinerant farm laborer, could bring home. Their economic poverty was punctuated by the fact that her older brother had severe cerebral palsy. It was not a happy childhood.
As she grew into adulthood she was painfully shy. She found work as a secretary during WWII, and after the war she and her entire family joined the mass migration to California, settling in Sacramento. There she met and married a charming and handsome man, but her happiness was fleeting. Soon after she gave birth to a son, her emotionally unstable husband committed suicide. Now a single mother, she moved to Los Angeles for a fresh start. On a whim she picked La Crescenta.
In 1972, after years of loneliness, Eva met a passionate Italian man who made her feel special, but even that was to be relatively short. After 20 years of travel, music and romance, cancer took her second husband.
But it was then, right after tragedy, that Eva found her greatest joy in her four beautiful and talented granddaughters, who fortunately lived right next door. Eva spent the last 20 years of her life in constant contact with them, playing with Barbie dolls, teaching them to cook, and being there for all the important events of their childhood and adolescence. To Eva’s granddaughters she was their playmate, their confidant and their role model. It was a beautiful time for Eva, and a great gift to her descendants. After a lifetime of unhappiness and disappointment, Eva was fulfilled.
She spent the last few years of her life being cared for at home by her son and daughter-in-law. In her last two weeks of life, she had the great joy of playing Barbie dolls with her great-granddaughter. She died peacefully in her sleep.
A private memorial is planned. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Mike and Pam Lawler, granddaughters Samantha, Bonnie, Annie and Isabel, and great-granddaughters Sylvia and Fern.
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Vivian Mary Russell
Oct. 12, 1934 – Oct. 14, 2016
Vivian Mary Russell passed away peacefully on Oct. 14 in Glendale.
Vivian was born Oct. 12, 1934 in Edinburgh, Scotland, the daughter of William Johnstone and Margaret N. Johnstone, both from Scotland. Vivian immigrated to New York in 1956 where she met the love of her life Martin. They married a year later in January 1957.
She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Martin Russell; son Andrew Martin Russell of Santa Clarita; three daughters: Fiona Margaret Pougher of Ventura, Sandra Mae Russell of Largo, Florida and Maureen Anne Russell of Burbank; brother Frank Johnstone and sister Allison Anderson, both of Barrie, Ontario Canada.
She was preceded in death by her son Ronald.
Vivian was the loving grandmother to 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Vivian was a long time resident of La Crescenta. Services were held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church of La Crescenta.
Directors Crippen Mortuary.
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Rudolph J. Ramirez
July 13, 1944 – Oct. 15, 2016
Rudolph J. Ramirez, 72, passed away Saturday, Oct. 15 in Sun Valley, California. Rudy was born July 13, 1944 to Rudolph and Carmen (Carmona) Ramirez in Los Angeles. He grew up in La Crescenta and was part of the first graduating class of Crescenta Valley High School in 1963 where he lettered in five sports.
Rudy was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965 where he served for two years in active duty and received his honorable discharge in 1973. During his time in active service, he was stationed in Germany and received the National Defense Service Medal for sharpshooter (rifle).
Upon his return from active duty, Rudy returned to La Crescenta where he began his first career with the Crescenta Valley Water District. While Rudy had many careers over the years, his fondest was being founder/owner of Rudy’s Bean Pot in Tujunga … his true passion. Rudy also found joy in his love of entertaining others, cooking, coaching, classic cars, rodeo and rooting for the Dodgers.
Rudy (aka Cheese, Butch, J & Coach) touched many lives over the years as he had a unique way of making everyone he met feel like family. He was the ultimate host and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Rudy is survived by his children Tracey, John, Scott and Diana; grandchildren Andre, Carissa and Melissa; stepfather Gilbert and siblings Bea and Bob, Rick, Cindy and Carolyn and Pat as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Rudy was preceded in death by both his parents, sister Yolanda, wife Sandi and his great niece Nicole.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose, 2411 Montrose Ave., at 10 a.m. with the family receiving friends and relatives for a Celebration of Life immediately after the services at the Ramirez residence in Sun Valley. For directions please visit his memorial page at http://crippenmortuary.com/tribute/details/327/Rudolph-Ramirez/obituary.html.
Memorial donations may be made to either the American Heart Association or the American Legion – Commanders Charity Fund.
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Christine Ann Martinez
March 9, 1999 – Oct. 27, 2016
Christine passed away on Oct. 27 in Tujunga.
Christine was born March 9, 1999 in Los Angeles, the daughter of Victor and Stephanie Martinez. She is survived by her parents and younger sister and brother. Christine was a senior at Crescenta Valley High School.
A closed casket vigil will be held on Friday, Nov. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a memorial service will be held at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m.
Directors Crippen Mortuary
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Karna Jane (Deininger) Meese
Sept. 29, 1924 – Oct. 23, 2016
Karna Jane (Deininger) Meese passed away on Oct. 23.
Karna was born on Sept. 29, 1924 in Torrance, California to Louis H. Deininger and Maude (Stevens) Deininger of Owatonna, Minnesota. Her parents moved to Torrance in 1922. Karna attended Torrance High School and Long Beach City College. She worked at McDonnell Douglass during WWII. She was proud making airplane parts for the U.S. military.
She married William Vaughn Meese. Her husband accepted a job in Pasadena and soon after they relocated to La Crescenta. After settling in La Crescenta, they had a daughter, Karen Louise (Meese) Lawrence. Karna worked in the insurance field and found a job as an office manager at Garey Brothers Insurance in La Cañada. She retired in May 1991.
She and her husband enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. They attended their grandchildren’s numerous activities. They went on family vacations with their daughter’s family. On Nov. 25, 1997 her husband William of 47 years died suddenly.
After she lost her husband, Karna volunteered at St. George’s Episcopal Church, the Dragon Thrift Shop and she joined clubs like TOPS, The Pioneer Club, PEO, New Beginnings and she loved to play bingo at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA.
She liked going on trips with her clubs to Las Vegas, Laughlin and casinos in Southern California. She continued to go on family trips with her daughter’s family. One of her favorite trips was when the family went on a road trip to volunteer at the Pine Ridge Reservation in Red Shirt, South Dakota with other church members. She saw so many historic sites like Mt. Rushmore, The Black Hills, Crazy Horse Memorial and the Grand Canyon. She went on road trips with her daughter’s family as long as she was able.
She was predeceased by her husband William. She is survived by her daughter Karen L. (Meese) Lawrence, son-in-law Richard Lawrence and three grandchildren: Crystal Thompson, Chelsea Lawrence and Vaughn Lawrence. A memorial service will be held for Karna J. Meese on Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 808 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge. Reception to follow.
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Sergeant First Class Keith G. Mosure
Nov. 13, 2016
U.S. Army career soldier and VFW Post Commander Keith G. Mosure died at 82.
Sergeant First Class Keith G. Mosure spent 20 years in the intelligence branch of the U.S. Army during some of the most dangerous times in our nation’s history. He served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star for courage and composure under fire during fierce combat in the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Mr. Mosure, with his wife Pattie at his bedside, passed away Nov. 13 at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale/Montrose following a recent stroke.
Fresh out of high school, Mr. Mosure joined the U.S. Army at the age of 20. It was at a time in the mid 1950s when the U.S. was engaged in the Cold War against the Soviet Union. As an intelligence expert, Mr. Mosure often found himself listening to enemy communications in grueling assignments lasting endless hours. Many of these assignments took him to the Far East, with years spent in the Philippines, Japan and Thailand.
Following retirement from the Army Mr. Mosure began working at the Automobile Club of Southern California, becoming a top insurance agent during his time there. He also joined Crescenta Valley Post 1614 of the VFW, rising to the position of post commander.
Devoted to his family and a staunch friend to many “Mo,” as he was known to almost everybody, was an accomplished joke-teller and raconteur. One such story he spoke of was during his tour of combat in South Vietnam. He came under sustained rocket and small arms fire so he took cover in a building. The shelling became so intense an air-conditioning unit dislodged above him and fell right on his head. Told later he was going to be nominated for a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat, “Mo” put a stop to it. He said he would have been too embarrassed to accept an award for getting decked by an air conditioner.
In addition to his wife and two daughters Mr. Mosure is survived by his son-in-law Franco. His other son-in-law, Darren, passed away in 2009.
Survivors also include three grandsons – Ryan, Daniel and Patrick – and one granddaughter, Carina.
A memorial service for Mr. Mosure will be held at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in La Crescenta on Friday, Nov. 25 at noon.
Funeral directors: Crippen Mortuary
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John Webster “Webb” Knott
Former longtime Crescenta Valley-area resident John Webster Knott died on Nov. 2 at his home in Cave Creek, Arizona from prostate cancer. He was husband to Mary and father to Melissa, Jeffrey, Jason and Melody and grandfather to Alex, Sam, Fiona, Avery, Jacob, Chloe, and Rhiannan.
Born in Brownfield, Texas on May 14, 1934, John moved with his parents to California during the war and lived in San Mateo, La Cañada and Alhambra prior to moving to Arizona. A graduate of California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, he served as lieutenant commander in the Navy aboard the USS Higbee.
His business career was varied, having worked primarily as a fleet manager and salesman in the automotive industry for the L.A. Times and American Motors, namely. During his years in La Cañada (1968-1978), "Webb," as his family and friends knew him, coached his kids’ baseball teams for several years and was volunteer officer with the Crescenta Sports Association. He was known for throwing batting practice at CV Park at 7 a.m. Sunday mornings until his shoulder ached and Winchell’s donuts called. He also served as Assistant Cubmaster for local Troop 333.
Among his best traits was storytelling, including his dealings with the likes of Satchel Paige, Mickey Mantle, Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Jimmy Hoffa and Elvis Presley. Webb’s passions were golf and baseball.
He will be buried at sea in 2017. He will be greatly missed.
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Mary K DeLurgio
May 2, 1937 – Dec. 10, 2016
Mary K DeLurgio, longtime La Cañada resident, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 10 after a protracted battle with cancer. Mary K was born in Mexico City on May 2, 1937. She was an accomplished author of two books and was a marriage and family therapist in La Cañada for over 45 years. She impacted the lives of many in our community and will be missed for a long time to come.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Joe Delurgio, and her four sons: Joe Jr., David (Elvira), Daniel (Sona) and Adam (Maya) and seven grandchildren as well as her sister, Judy.
A celebration of her life will be held at Descanso Gardens on Friday, Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. with a reception following the ceremony at the DeLurgio residence. In lieu of flowers, for those who would like to honor Mary K these are some of her favorite charities: Habitat for Humanity, Guide Dogs of America, Doctors Without Borders and Defenders of the Wildlife.
Anyone with questions can email judyreilly@pacbell.net.
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Donald P. Duncan
Dec. 11, 1925 – Dec. 10, 2016
Donald P. Duncan, son of Donald B. Duncan and Edith Studt, born in New York on Dec. 11, 1925, died peacefully in Northridge on Dec. 10 just hours before his 91st birthday.
As a young boy Don’s family relocated to Los Angeles where he attended Verdugo Hills High, graduating in 1943. It was during those years he experienced his first love, a 1930s Ford Roadster, that he named Daisy. It was the beginning of Don’s lifetime love of cars.
After high school Don enlisted in the Navy where he served aboard the USS Lenawee. He was on board the Lenawee in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945 and witnessed Japan’s formal surrender. After his release from the Navy he tried a variety of things – working at the Jergens Lotion plant in Burbank, taking accounting classes in Pasadena – but eventually found his niche at the Glendale Post Office. There he met budding artist Ben Abrial and purchased some of his early work.
Upon retirement Don could be seen tooling about in either his red Sunbeam Tiger or his Daimler Dart. He loved those cars and they loved him back.
In his later years Don was grateful for the loving care he received from the staff at Northridge Golden Nest, especially Eddie Ang. This gentle man will be missed by his friends and all who knew him, but hopefully there’s a wide open highway in heaven just for him.
A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. in Glendale 91205 on Friday, Dec. 23 at 1 p.m.
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Kathryn Geneva Allmon
June 9, 1944 – Dec. 28, 2016
Kathryn Geneva Allmon was born June 9, 1944 in Coshocton, Ohio. She was adopted by Stan and Martha Hancock on June 10, 1944. Kathy passed away early in the morning of Dec. 28.
Kathy moved to La Crescenta in 1947 and went to Monte Vista Elementary, Clark Jr. High (where CV High is now) and Glendale High. She was with the last class from Crescenta Valley to go down to Glendale High. Kathy went to work for Title Insurance & Trust Co. in downtown LA, then Security Bank in La Crescenta and finished at Glendale City College with the Foundation Office.
Kathy was attending the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in downtown Glendale when, in 1963, she met the love of her life Roy on the steps of the church. Kathy and Roy Allmon were married on April 18, 1964 at the Little Church of the Flowers in Forest Lawn, Glendale.
They had two boys – Kent Alan and Michael David (USMC) – while living in Burbank. In March 1974 Kathy and Roy moved back to La Crescenta to the house she was raised in. This is when third son Bryan Lee came along.
Kathy had three daughters-in-law: Kim, Michelle and Tessa; seven grandchildren: Kenneth, Kristen, Reagan, Matt, Steven (USMC), Dacota and Brenna; along with granddaughter-in-law Lauren (USMC). She is still waiting and watching for great-grandchildren.
Kathy was very involved in the La Crescenta community including the PTA at Monte Vista, den mother for Cub Scout Pack 302, Boy Scout troop 310, Montrose-La Crescenta Kiwanis Club, VFW Post 1614, American Legion Post 288 and was a member of the CV Chamber.
In 1996 Kathy attended one of Roy’s “317th Combat Cargo” Veterans Group (Air Force unit that Roy was with) Reunion in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This is where Kathy found out after talking to all the other wives that all of Roy’s stories were true! She had been to almost all reunions since.
Kathy loved to camp (motorhome style), took two trips to Europe with friends and two cruises with family. She would always welcome you into her home with a smile and her signature giggle. The only thing stronger than her love for her community and her family was her unwavering love and devotion to her husband Roy.
Kathy will be missed by all, her family and, most of all, by her husband of 52-plus years, Roy.
Kathy will be interned at the Riverside VA Cemetery waiting for Roy to join her.
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Helder Viana Pereira
March 25, 1962 – Dec. 26, 2016
Helder Pereira passed away peacefully on Dec. 26 after a 12-year battle with colon cancer. He was a familiar face in the community and spent 22 years coaching in AYSO. He is survived by his wife Carol Graham Pereira and his four children: Jennifer, Rebecca, Tristan and Rachel. There will be a celebration of his life this Saturday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at Montrose Church - Pasadena Bresee Campus, 1500 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena.
Flowers are welcomed, or donations can be made in Helder’s memory to Cancer Support Community Pasadena, 76 E. Del Mar Blvd. Suite #215, Pasadena, CA 91105.
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Timothy J. King
July 24, 1959 – Dec. 8, 2016 Timothy J. King of Huntington Beach passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 8 at his home. He was 57. Born July 24, 1959, Tim was a beloved community member. An avid golfer and mariner, Tim was a member of the Old Ranch Country Club and the Long Beach Yacht Club. Born in Utah but raised in La Cañada Flintridge, he attended Saint Francis High School in La Cañada. After high school, Tim went on to college at UC Santa Barbara and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in business economics. Tim was well known locally for his community dealings and his long time tenure as vice president and chief financial officer with the Bixby Ranch Company. Tim began work for Bixby Ranch in 1983 and continued his work there until 2009 when he led the company through a voluntary divestiture of all assets and subsidiary entities, ending in 2008 with final liquidation and dissolution. After leaving Bixby Ranch, he spent a number of years with the Robert Mayer Corporation as its CFO, but most recently was working as a private individual/small business CFO since February 2015. Known for his generosity and community spirit, he played a key role in the Grand Prix Foundation charity. Tim became a member of the board of directors at the Grand Prix Foundation shortly after its founding, first serving as director, then later assuming the role of treasurer in 2003, a position he held until his passing. He was instrumental in securing the Old Ranch Country Club as the venue for the Foundation’s annual golf tournament and assisted with tournament operations for many years. Tim was dedicated most to the ones he loved. He always went out of his way to make sure that family was taken care of with his compassionate heart and generous nature. He is survived by his mother Elsie; sisters Sheryl and Christine; sister-in-law Elizabeth; nephews Cory and Christopher; girlfriend Debra; and countless dear friends. A memorial service for Tim will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Long Beach Yacht Club, 6201 E. Appian Way in Long Beach. For information call (562) 598-9401. Donations can be made in Timothy’s honor to the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, 3000 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90806. An online memorial tribute page for Tim can be found at www.CrippenMortuary.com. Directors: Crippen Mortuary
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Alice Gaines Scott
Nov. 28, 2016
Alice Gaines Scott, 86, of La Crescenta, passed away Nov. 28. She was born in Glendale to John and Mildred Gaines and was a resident of La Crescenta for 66 years.
Alice taught for 22 years at La Crescenta Elementary School. She loved traveling, cooking, gardening and playing piano.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband Donald W. Scott and son Randall. Alice is survived by her brother John S. Gaines of Bristol, Virginia; sons Lawrence (Linda) of Ventura, Russell (Chris) of Victor, New York and Steven (Dee) of Las Vegas, Nevada; along with seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by many friends and colleagues.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.↧
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Lovinia M. Avril
Jan. 17, 1943 – Dec. 30, 2016
Lovinia M. Avril was born on Jan. 17, 1943 and passed away Dec. 30 at the young age of 73, just shy of her 74th birthday. She passed in the home of her son Chris and his wife Holly, continuously surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Born Lovinia Parris in La Fayette, Georgia, she learned to hunt, fish, grow food and care for her family at a very young age. She left Georgia as a teenager and moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia for a time, then on to California where she would make Montrose her home for over 40 years. It was there she raised her two boys Chris and Casey who were always the lights of her life.
In the beginning she was a single mother raising her two boys on her meat cutter’s salary from Fazio’s then eventually Albertsons. It wasn’t always easy but she made sure to scrape enough together to buy dirt bikes and go riding as a family. Along with camping, fishing, and Boy Scouts, she always made sure they had what they needed and had fun too.
She would eventually meet the love of her life Eric Avril through a friend in the bakery department, which ended up being Eric’s mother. Lovinia, being the strong adventurous lady she was, became a licensed Dootson’s big rig truck driver, to everyone’s amazement, in the hopes of bringing a better income for her family. She realized early on that being close to home with her kids and Eric, who she would marry, was more important to her.
After marrying Eric in 1983, she loved being his wife and friend, travelling the states, riding Harleys and collecting treasures along the way. Sharing their charming little river rock cottage, they adored being in each other’s company.
She changed careers once more and become an LVN. Incredible as a nurse, she gained the respect and admiration of the doctors and nurses she worked with, along with the patients who always adored her.
Eric passed away in 1993 and Lovinia never remarried but cared for her mother-in-law, her children and friends while continuing to be an exceptional LVN. She worked for Muliken Medical and then Tujunga Medical until she retired.
She loved the holidays, music, movies, and gardening and growing flowers. Being so mechanically inclined she would work on her own machines of all kinds. She would go on one more adventure and bought a home in the very northwest of Montana in 2009 where her brother Sonny lived, making more incredible relationships with amazing people. She would live there independently until returning to California this past fall of 2016.
She was a beautiful lady inside and out, a strong, devoted, loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She is now back in the arms of the love of her life Eric and watching as an angel over all she loved and who loved her. She is survived by her sons Casey, Chris and his wife Holly; grandchildren Dustin and Austin; brother Edwin (Sonny) Parris; sister Donna Jean Schreiber; many nieces and nephews across the states and friends she considered family.
The family would also like to thank the incredible hospice team of nurses from Comfort Choice who cared for Lovinia with great compassion and tenderness in the home of Chris and Holly. Lovinia was a remarkable lady and we are the luckiest people to have known and loved her and to have her love us. It’s immeasurable how much she will be missed.
A private celebration of life service will be held on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. for family and friends.
Please contact family for info.
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Joan Eleanor Markey-Keith
Oct. 8, 1941 – Jan. 15, 2017
Joan Eleanor Markey-Keith was born on Oct. 8, 1941 and passed away on Jan. 15.
A memorial service will be held Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. at Crippen Mortuary Chapel, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in La Crescenta.
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Matthew Joseph Schmalen
Oct. 28, 1959 – Jan. 13, 2017
Matthew Joseph Schmalen, 57, of La Crescenta, passed away Jan. 13. He was born in Hollywood, California to Henry & Shirley Schmalen and was a resident of the Glendale and La Crescenta areas his entire life.
During high school, Matthew was a member of the a cappella choir and worked several jobs, including summers on Catalina Island in the kitchen of Camp Fox.
Matthew received an honorable discharge from the Air Force, then worked several jobs while he attended Glendale Community College and received his AA degree in graphic design. He went on to work for McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) as a technical illustrator for more than 10 years and worked on the C-17 aircraft. In addition, he worked for nearly 15 years as a display manager for Wholesale Plumbing.
Matthew was a man of great faith. He grew up attending Holy Family Catholic Church and was a parishioner of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church for more than 25 years. He was a very loving, generous and devoted man to his family and friends. He enjoyed many years of camping, baking, woodworking and all things Halloween.
Matthew was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Schmalen. Matthew is survived by his father Henry; wife Aprile; son Nicholas; daughters Natalie, Laura and her husband Robert; granddaughters Rachel & Isabel; siblings Hank, Tom, Gwen, Mary, Dan and Andy; many nieces and nephews as well as friends considered family.
A funeral mass will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave. in Montrose on Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
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