Funeral services for Elizabeth Fox McLain are at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 7344 Apperson St. in Tujunga. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School at this address.
The post Memorial Service Date Amended appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
June 8, 1931 – Nov. 20, 2021
Glynn S. Martin, 90, a longtime resident of Sparr Heights and Montecito Park, passed away on Nov. 20. Glynn was born to Harber and Ethel Martin of Martinsville, Virginia on June 8, 1931. Glynn graduated from Fieldale High School in 1949 after serving as class president. He enlisted in the Air Force in January 1951 and was honorably discharged from the 407th Air Police Squadron as a staff sergeant in December 1954.
Glynn relocated to Los Angeles and began his education at Los Angeles State College where he earned his bachelor’s and his first master’s degrees. In 1958 Glynn began his career with the Glendale Police Dept. and continued his academic pursuits, earning a second master’s degree at USC. Glynn’s police career included assignments in patrol, detectives and administration and he also served as the president of the Glendale Police Officers Association.
Glynn retired in 1994 as the captain of the Investigations Bureau, having overseen major cases including the investigations of Richard Ramirez (Night Stalker) and serial arsonist John Orr. In retirement, Glynn continued his community service with the Glendale Sunrise Rotary, the Glendale Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Glendale Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
Glynn greatly enjoyed his life in and around Glendale. Daily he could be found at the La Cañada McDonald’s before his morning walks through La Cañada and Montrose. He regularly attended the seasonal music at La Cañada Memorial Park, and frequented many local eateries.
Glynn was deeply committed to family and particularly proud of his grandchildren Megan (LCHS 2010) and Ryan (LCHS 2014), traveling extensively for Megan’s club softball games and helping Ryan win the regional Soap Box Derby championship.
Glynn is survived by his wife Mary; sons Glynn Bridgyn (Leslie) and John Brendan; two grandchildren; and his sister Peggy Young of Rocky Mount, Virginia. Glynn was predeceased by his parents and his siblings Ernest, John, William, Marvin, Harold, Kyle Wayne Inez and Lucy.
A private service was held at Forest Lawn Glendale. A celebration of life is planned for Jan. 15, 2022. Further details are available by contacting glynnmartin@earthlink.net. Donations in honor of Glynn’s service to country and community can be made to the Glendale Chapter of the American Red Cross or Boy’s Republic.
The post Glynn S. Martin appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Dec. 27, 1957 – Nov. 13, 2021
Carl Lee Scholten, 63, passed away on Nov. 13 at his home in Canyon Country. The family was shocked and saddened by his sudden and unexpected death.
Carl was born on Dec. 27, 1957 in Sheldon, Iowa. He was the son of the late Gerhard W. Scholten and Bernice M. (Jacobs) Scholten.
Carl grew up on the family farm and graduated from Floyd Valley High School. He attended the University of Iowa before heading out to California by way of Minneapolis. He lived in California most of his adult life and he was self-employed as a freelance insurance adjuster, specializing in helping those facing catastrophic damages in natural disaster zones.
Carl had a larger-than-life personality. He always knew how to make a grand entrance at family gatherings, sometimes even days late, bringing with him an abundance of cheer and an exuberant infectious joy. He was adventurous and lived life at full speed, fully engaging in a variety of new experiences. He enjoyed motorcycling and looked to the ocean for fun, sun and comfort.
Carl is survived by his ex-wife France Berube and stepchildren Charles, Pierrick, Arnaud and Zoée as well as his siblings Dennis (Boise, Idaho), Cheryl (Edina, Minnesota), Paul (Seattle, Washington), Gregg (Columbia, Maryland), Jana (Boston, Massachusetts) and extended family across the United States.
The post Carl Lee Scholten appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
May 17, 1929 – Dec. 23, 2021
Dr. Richard Bauer passed away on Dec. 23 at the age of 92. He was born on May 17, 1929 in Los Angeles. He grew up in Huntington Park, Compton and Glendale. He lived in La Crescenta from 1958-1963 then moved to La Cañada in 1963-1994. He retired in 1994 to Flagstaff, Arizona.
Dick, as he was known to his friends, graduated from Glendale High School in 1947. He attended Glendale Community College for a year. He went to the University of Oregon from 1948-1951. He went on to dental school at USC from 1951-1954. He was in the Army from 1954 to 1957 as a dentist and was stationed in Herlong, California. He was a children’s dentist from 1957-1961 in Los Angeles.
He was at USC to get his MA in orthodontics from 1959-1961. He was an orthodontist in La Cañada and Montrose from 1961-1994.
Dr. Bauer taught at USC in the Orthodontic Dept. for 30 years. Dick was a master Mason, and was in the Masons for 66 years. He was also in Kiwanis in La Cañada for years. He was a member of several dental/orthodontic associations. He loved to travel and was lucky enough to visit all 50 states, and take two trips to Europe.
He was a family man first. He was always there for his four children and his wife. He was a kind and gentle man.
Dick is preceded in death by his eldest son, Rick, and his wife of 64 years, Marilyn. He is survived by three children, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed!! Dick will be interred in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The post Dr. Richard Bauer appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Nov. 15, 1931 – Dec. 18, 2021
Amelia Coutinho Allevato, 90 years of age, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 at her home in Burbank.
Amelia was born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on Nov. 15, 1931 to Antonio and Anna Coutinho. Married to Giuseppe Allevato on Sept. 13, 1952, they had two sons: Eugenio, born in 1954, and Edson, born in 1955. The family moved to the United States in 1967 and made their home in Burbank. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed preparing Brazilian and Italian specialties for family and friends.
She is survived by her sons, Eugenio (Linda) and Edson (Lydia); grandchildren Nicolas (Mary), Giovanni, and Laura. She is preceded in death by her husband, Giuseppe, who passed away in 2005.
Amelia was a very loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her and she will be in our hearts forever.
Visitation will be held at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in La Crescenta on Monday, Jan. 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles in the Court of Remembrance on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Directors: CrippenMortuary.com
The post Amelia Coutinho Allevato appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
April 1954 – December 2021
Gerald “Jerry” Uebel, 67, was a lifelong resident of north Glendale and Montrose, the son of Ben and Betty Uebel. He graduated from Crescenta Valley High School and remained close with many friends throughout his life, including those from his elementary school years.
Jerry had a welcoming, visible and active presence in the community. He served as a Glendale police officer for 25 years on patrol, undercover and, for the 10 years leading to his retirement, in community policing for the Montrose area. When Hollywood wanted to use Montrose in commercials, TV shows or movies, they contacted Jerry.
For many years, Jerry installed the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations along Montrose’s Honolulu Avenue, adding to everyone’s joy of the season; often he was Santa Claus in the Christmas Parade, and he provided fun for the young each weekend with huge bouncers and a slide.
His greatest delight was golfing, which was almost his full-time “job.” Not only did Jerry enjoy the links, he befriended deer on the course that came very close while he spoke to them from the cart.
Jerry is survived by his mother, Betty; sister Jan (Red); niece Ailene and nephew Ian.
The post Gerald “Jerry” Uebel appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Aug. 11, 1924 – Dec. 5, 2021
Mary Laurena Enfield Clark, 97, died on Dec. 5 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She was formerly of Tujunga and South Pasadena.
She was born on Aug. 11, 1924, in Arthur County, Nebraska.
The post Mary Laurena Enfield Clark appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
June 12, 1916 – Jan. 5, 2022
Born in Anaheim a century ago to Edward and Agnes Rimpau, Jerry was a sixth generation Californian; he graduated from Los Angeles High School and married the lovely Frances Catherine Caliva on Sept. 24, 1939. They lived on Clifton Way in Beverly Hills and had two children, Cheryl and Jerry.
Jerry joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and flew 113 missions in WWII and was shot down three times. His older brother Edward was killed in WWII.
Jerry also served as a pilot trainer during the Korean War.
Jerry and Frances built their family home on Highridge Road in La Crescenta in 1952. He was also an active member of the Garibaldina Society.
After a long career, Jerry retired from Pacific Bell Telephone Company in 1975. Jerry also retired as a captain from the Air Force Reserves in 1976.
Jerry’s greatest joys in retirement were walking his dogs in the Verdugo Mountains, La Tuna Canyon and Whiting Woods.
A funeral Mass at Holy Redeemer to honor Jerry’s life will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. Services will conclude at church and interment at a later date will be held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
Funeral directors: CrippenMortuary.com
The post Gerald “Jerry” Arthur Rimpau appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Sept. 24, 1928 – Jan. 5, 2022
Michael was born on Sept. 24, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York and moved to California at the age of 17 where he met and married his wife of 62 years Denise.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Denise. He is survived by his daughters Marie Barbarino and Marian Zabel; sons Mark and Michael Barbarino; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Michael made his living first as a union electrician and then as a city electrical inspector, which he retired from in February 1994.
During his life he was very involved in Little League, girls softball and Indian Guides. Later in life he enjoyed traveling with Denise across the country with their fifth wheel trailer. He was also an active member of the Glendale Elks.
Michael was a true blue Dodger fan and could tell you stories of sneaking into Ebbets Field as a kid to watch their games.
Michael (Mickey to his friends) will be missed. His children will miss him as will others whose lives he touched; and his grandchildren and great grandchildren (to whom he was known as Papa or Grandpa Mickey Mouse) will forever hold a special place in their hearts for him.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gary Sinese Foundation, https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/, or Catholic Charities https://support.crs.org/donate/give.
Directors: CrippenMortuary.com
The post Michael A Barbarino appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
1958-2022
Thomas passed away on Sunday, Jan. 9 due to complications from COVID-19. His family is heartbroken over his sudden passing. Tom, as he liked to be called, was born in Chicago, Illinois to Albert and Rosemary Kirchner. In 1966, he moved with his family to La Crescenta where he attended La Crescenta Elementary School, Rosemont Middle School, Crescenta Valley High School and Glendale Community College. He was a Boy Scout and earned the rank Eagle Scout and also participated in Babe Ruth Baseball League. He rode his bike, and then his dirt bike, whenever he could, both in the local hills and the various deserts around Southern California and Baja, Mexico.
He has three beautiful daughters – Sarah, Kristine and Brittney – who he was very proud of. The place he called home was Lytle Creek, California. He loved the mountain community and all that the mountains had to offer.
He recently wrote: “I work for everyone in my community. When done, I put on my gear and ride my dirt bike till dark.”
Tom had a huge heart and never said a mean word about anyone. He was always willing to help whether he knew you or not. He was a skilled plumber, electrician, dry waller, tiler, stone mason – well, just about everything. No job was too small. He really enjoyed working with his hands creating and problem solving. He recently was working on rock walls near his home and really enjoyed the entire artistic process.
He is survived by both of his parents, four sisters, three daughters and five grandchildren. His younger brother previously passed in 1983.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a future date.
Directors: CrippenMortuary.com
The post Thomas Albert Kirchner appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Sept. 4, 1957 – Nov. 21, 2021
Bill (William Edward) Willets passed away on Nov. 21, 2021 at the age of 64.
Born on Sept. 4, 1957 in Queens, New York to Herb and Gloria Willets, he was the youngest of two children. He grew up on Long Island where he went to Levittown Memorial High School but graduated from Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois after his family moved there. He then attended Nassau Community College as well as Five Towns Music College when he moved back to Long Island shortly after graduating.
Billy loved to play ice hockey in his younger years and was an avid music lover his whole life. In high school, he played clarinet and saxophone in his school band and, with his great love for music, it’s no wonder that Bill married singer/songwriter Jeannie Garcia in 1981. They had two sons, Christopher and Sean.
Billy also played drums for several bands throughout the years and was the drummer for his wife’s band. Bill and Jeannie wrote some songs together as well including a beautiful love ballad expressing their mutual and spiritual love for each other called, “Behind Your Eyes.” Together for 45 years, both always attributed their relationship’s longevity to their shared love and wonderful sense of humor.
A friend to many due to his kind heart and loving soul, Bill Willets was a loving husband, devoted father, hard-working provider and faithful protector, loved by so many. Always a truth-seeker and truth sharer, he was a wise, gentle and honest soul who enriched many lives and will live on in our wonderful memories of him and in our hearts forever.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannie; sons Christopher and Sean; sister Pat and brother-in-law Larry; and family: his Aunt Jo, and cousins and their families.
Billy’s memorial service will be held on Feb. 5 at noon at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in La Crescenta.
Directors: crippenmortuary.com
The post Bill (William Edward) Willets appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
June 2, 1952 – Jan. 14, 2022
Derek K. Chew, age 70, passed away on Jan. 14. With a love for his family and a passion for motorcycles, classic cars, the fire department and delicious food, Derek lived a vibrant and adventurous life.
Derek, affectionately known as “Rick” or “Ricky,” was born on June 2, 1951 in Los Angeles to Chuck and Betty Chew. As the youngest of four siblings, Rick spent his childhood in Chinatown where he attended Castelar Elementary School. Growing up, he enjoyed playing with his siblings and cousins, riding dirt bikes around Elephant Hill, and working at K.G. Louie – his family’s store. K.G. Louie was opened in 1938 by his grandfather as one of the original businesses of New Chinatown and is still family owned and operated today. Rick later attended Franklin High School and East Los Angeles Junior College, where he obtained his AA degree in liberal arts.
In 1971, he was hired onto the Southern Pacific Railroad and was subsequently promoted to the role of locomotive engineer. He was the first Chinese American engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad.
In 1976, he graduated from the fire department training academy and was sworn in as a firefighter, becoming the first Chinese American fireman on the Los Angeles City Fire Dept. He was later recognized as a Chinese American pioneer by the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California.
In 1978, he transferred to Fire Station 90 where he became helitack qualified enabling him to assist rescue operations via a helicopter. In 1985, he became a member of the arson section of the fire department as a full time arson investigator. Throughout the 35 years of his LAFD career he fought countless fires and conducted thousands of fire scene investigations by determining the origin and cause of fires and testifying as an expert in court. He retired in January 2011.
In 1980, he married the love of his life, Linda. For over 40 years, they built a wonderful family with three children. He was particularly elated to welcome into the world his first grandchild this past summer.
Rick is survived by his wife Linda; children Wesley, David and Kathryn; sister Nancy; daughter-in-law Nicole; son-in-law Jacob; and his granddaughter Naomi.
Aside from spending time with loved ones, Rick had a lifelong passion for motorcycles and classic cars. In 2001, Rick started Early Rodders, a weekly gathering of car enthusiasts. Just last year, Early Rodders celebrated its 20th anniversary and was recognized as the 2021 Organization of the Year by the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce for its dedicated service to the community. This service was exemplified by the Early Rodders annual 9/11 Remembrance Motorcade, assistance with the LA County Fire Dept.’s Spark of Love toy drive, and participation in countless other community events.
Rick inspired many people with his relentless generosity, avid sense of adventure and true joy of life. He will be missed by many.
Celebration of life to be announced.
The post Derek K. Chew appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Jan. 4, 1961 – Jan. 1, 2022
When Steve Fox passed away on Jan. 1, he left behind many who knew and loved him – but he took with him much of the heart and memory of the Crescenta Valley, the community that had anchored his life for 60 years. Steve was a local-history buff but not the sort of man who was content to indulge his passion for the past by reading books and old documents in the solitary comfort of home; for Steve, love of history meant love of the people who came before us and a duty of care for the things and places they built for us – the community their labor made possible.
Steve was born in Burbank to David and Katalin Fox but he spent most of his life in the Crescenta Valley: an acolyte at St. George’s Episcopal church in La Cañada, and, in 1980, a graduate of La Cañada High school. Blessed with a tenacious spirit and a mind for detail, it was only natural that he should work his way to the rank of Eagle Scout and even shoot down the Colorado River in a homemade kayak with other Boy Scouts. His encyclopedic mind and discriminating taste enabled him to become an expert importer of fine international spirits and liquors. His sportsman’s affinity for the outdoors often took him to Cabo San Lucas, one of his favorite places for deep-sea fishing.
But it was his love for history – and especially the living spaces the past has bequeathed to us – that filled his days. In 2015 he was selected People’s Warden of St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church, the officer primarily responsible for the preservation and care of the iconic century-old building. Steve got to work immediately, enthusiastically developing plans for the long-term preservation of the stone church, culling the files for historical documents, salvaging relics of its distant past from forgotten corners and closets, and arm-twisting his many friends into volunteering their time and labor in numerous restoration projects. Steve could draw a diagram from memory of the church’s electrical or plumbing systems, hidden from view by decades-old timber, or sketch a plan to reroute a faulty drainage system through parts of the building not yet built.
Steve’s devotion to St. Luke’s, its history and its people, did not end when his term did in 2020. He kept a constant and careful eye on the grounds. In fact, while many today spend their free time binge watching their favorite shows on Netflix or Hulu, Steve binge watched St. Luke’s security cameras. Like the way new parents sometimes glue themselves to the baby-monitor of their first-born child, Steve could spend hours vigilantly surfing the different camera feeds for anything of concern.
And there was usually something. Like the early evening when a church worker was struggling to get one of the ancient timers to switch on the parking lot lights, his cellphone rang: “Turn the lights on manually,” the voice on the other end said. The worker looked up to see the blinking security camera.
“Then set the start time back an hour. Trust me, it will work fine tomorrow.” And it did, of course. Or the cold December evening just a few weeks ago when a homeless mother sat on the bench beside the church playground nursing a child. Steve was the only one who saw her – and immediately got on the phone to find her help.
“I was just worried about that baby,” he said.
Those who knew Steve best understood that he did not so much live in the past, but with it. He thought it an honor to walk the halls or sit in chairs or kneel at an altar left to us – left for us – by people whose names we cannot now know. Steve felt that their lives and labor make our lives together possible. It is only fitting, then, that our lives and labor bring theirs to fruition.
Steve Fox leaves behind his loving and supremely devoted wife Sandra; mother Katalin Fox; siblings Debbie and Laurin; niece Stephanie; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, godsons, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many friends at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Church.
The post Steven Baird Fox appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Jan. 13, 2022
On Thursday, Jan. 13 at 3:00 p.m., our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend of the community Elvira Romero passed away but not without leaving a legacy of courage, hope, love and laughter. Forever in our hearts and never to be forgotten, her spirit lives in us daily, omnipresent as only a mother can be.
Her inspirational story began in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico where, as a teenage immigrant, she came to the United States with her siblings Arturo, Lilia and Lalo to join and live with their father in Southern California. The move was life changing and it is here that her story as a young woman living the American dream begins to unfold and where she would go on to live a full life. Here is where she would raise seven children with her husband of 45 years, Luis B. Romero. They settled in the Glendale-La Crescenta area in 1973 and provided their children with the greatest of opportunities, a move that would prove permanent and cement their legacy within the community … a legacy of love and family. She took great joy in having casual conversations over coffee, throwing strikes in her bowling leagues, tending to her roses, cheering on her Dodgers or putting her culinary expertise on full display. And sometimes you could catch her making a run to a nearby casino.
She is preceded in death by her husband Luis and survived by her seven children Linda Lane, Sandra Rodi, Laura Songer, Lorraine Dahlquist, Luis Ramirez, Victor Ramirez, Lisa Siebert; and her nieces (our sisters at heart) Maria Geimer and Lillian Sellers. She will be deeply missed by her 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her four sisters, one brother and a legion of family and friends whose hearts she has eternally touched.
Services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave.
The post Elvira Romero appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Jan. 28, 1942 – Feb. 8, 2022
Rachel McKeehan, 80, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 8 in Santa Barbara. Her three daughters were by her side as she went peacefully into the arms of her heavenly Father.
Rachel was a 50-year resident of La Crescenta and a parishioner for over four decades of St. James the Less Catholic Church. She is survived by her daughters Tamera Renn, Shelley McKeehan and Nicole Scates; her five grandchildren Kiera Carbajal, Michaela Renn, Shannon Renn, Hope English and Donovan Scates; and great grandchildren Asher Carnes and Maisie Carbajal.
She was born Rachel Patron on Jan. 28, 1942 in Los Angeles. She was the youngest of six siblings. Her parents were Mexican immigrants who owned a restaurant in East Los Angeles. They lived in the apartment above their restaurant for most of her childhood. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln Heights in 1961. She was a cheerleader at Lincoln High where she met her future husband John McKeehan. Rachel and John were married for 27 years and had three daughters. They bought their first home in La Crescenta in 1966. Their daughters attended St. James Catholic School and graduated from Crescenta Valley High School. She was active at St. James School, both as a room parent and Girl Scout leader. Her daughters were always her number one priority.
She spent her time volunteering for many years at the church and within the school community where she made a number of lifelong friends. Rachel also loved to sing and was a member of the church choir at St. James for well over a decade.
Rachel was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest, Nicole, was in high school. She then went to work at Thompson Photography Studio in Montrose where she met Art Wilson. They were together for 30 years.
She loved the mountains and the ocean. June Lake and Pismo Beach were among her favorite vacation spots. She was also a big fan of playing the slot machines in Las Vegas where she seemed to have a lucky streak.
After leaving Thompson Photography, she worked as a medical receptionist and translator for 20 years at both Cigna Healthcare and HealthCare Partners until her retirement in 2011.
A few short years later, she was diagnosed with dementia and began her long journey in Memory Care. She was blessed to have compassionate and kind caregivers at home and at her care facilities. One of her early caregivers was her dear friend of over 50 years, Claudia Micheli. Rachel was also fortunate to be cared for by staff at The Ranch House in Pasadena and, finally, at Mission Villa in Santa Barbara. All who knew her will remember her beautiful smile and contagious laugh. When she took her last breath, she smiled the most radiant smile as she was welcomed home.
A rosary will be held on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Crippen Mortuary, 2900 Honolulu Ave. in La Crescenta. There will be a funeral Mass on Friday, March 11 at 12:30 p.m. at St James the Less Catholic Church, 4651 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made in her name to Alzheimersla.org.
Funeral directors: www.CrippenMortuary.com
The post Rachel McKeehan appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Dec. 3, 1950 – Jan. 20, 2022
Tacey passed away peacefully at the age of 71. She lived a storied life punctuated with huge challenges. She faced them all with grace, dignity, perseverance and resilience.
Tacey was a lady with pluck, sass and lots of class – beloved and loved and, without exception, respected and revered by all those who were fortunate enough to cross paths with her.
Tacey grew up in La Crescenta and attended Lincoln and Lowell Elementary, Clark Junior High, and Crescenta Valley High. Her beauty and popularity led to several years of modeling while attending USC for her undergraduate and master’s degree in special education. She was an active member in her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and remained a loyal Trojan throughout her life.
Upon receiving her teaching degrees with an emphasis on adolescent behavior, Tacey moved to Balboa Island where she thrived teaching and counseling teens, some with the most severe behavioral problems. However, while attending USC, Tacey began to develop health issues that would continue to affect her throughout her life. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a thyroid disease that ultimately progressed to the point where she was totally blind in the last years of her life. She faced this challenge with strength, resolve and an amazing ability to adapt to her new journey ahead.
Tacey loved teaching but it became difficult with her minimal eyesight. Her strong interest in politics and the Republican Party became her career focus. In 1992, Tacey campaigned diligently for George Bush and was appointed to a position in the Dept. of Education where she worked for the next four years. She moved back to Balboa Island when Clinton beat Bush in the next election. She remained active in the local politics of Orange County.
Tacey then pursued her dream of owning a women’s recycled clothing store and opened a high-end boutique she named Once Is Not Enough. Around this time, she revived her devotion to the Mormon Church, which gave her the spiritual support she needed. Her faith gave her strength and solace until her death.
Throughout these years, Tacey was confronted with complications from Graves’ disease, blindness, benign brain tumors and progressive severe loss of hearing. But, like no other, she tackled her trials and tribulations like a force of nature.
She was loved, cherished and admired by many, though never married. The true loves of her life were her two precious dogs that gave her endless hugs and kisses – Tommy Trojan and Boris, her 19-year-old pug.
Tacey is survived by her brothers Jerry and Drake; sister-in-law Ruby; and two nieces, Caitlin and Kelsey. She will be greatly missed by her high school and USC friends and caregivers.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The post Tacey Clausen appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
1977 – 2022
Immediately following a precious time of fellowship, singing and praying at home, Rebekah Jo Hammer of Tujunga was called to her heavenly home into the arms of her loving savior on Saturday, Feb. 26.
Rebekah was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1977. She graduated from Asbury College with a degree in English education and a near-minor in music with her trumpet, while also meeting Ryan Hammer to whom she was lovingly married for 24 and a half years. She is survived also by her children Elise Ayame, Sophia Rose and Richard Thomas; her three older sisters Shelly Exline, Jenny Annoni and Rachel Goldenstein; her parents Jack and Janice Fink; and four nieces and 13 nephews.
Rebekah, although incredibly shy from birth, learned with the help of her Lord Jesus, to reach out to everyone around her and to be a friend and confidant to many. While in high school she went on two mission trips and, although vertically challenged, she was a starter on her high school basketball team.
Ryan and Rebekah were married after their junior year at Asbury. After graduation, they worked in Kentucky for two years before moving with all their worldly goods across the country to California where Ryan pursued his calling to work in the film industry and Rebekah began teaching English as a second language and later working in college placement for international students.
Rebekah ran the LA marathon and completed it in spite of a stress fracture in her foot, exemplifying her persistence and dedication. Her steadfastness and ferocity in prayer were evident in her life and unchanged even through her marathon battle with pancreatic cancer.
As their family grew, her educational background naturally led her to home school their children.
Rebekah was active in Fairhaven Christian Academy, her home-school co-op, and eventually took over the leadership role for several years. She and Ryan also started a Trail Life troop and ran the local American Heritage Girls troop in their community.
Church was a critical part of Rebekah’s life. She loved attending Montrose Church where her three children were baptized and each in turn contributed in the church’s annual Christmas plays. Her passion and love for Jesus shone through even more during her difficult battle with cancer as she regularly asked nurses and doctors how she could pray for them. She will be sadly missed here on this earth but has been
welcomed with joy through the gates of heaven where she is free and is praising and worshiping her Father and savior in person.
Funeral Directors: CrippenMortuary.com
The post Rebekah Jo Hammer appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
April 8, 1922 – Nov. 25, 2021
Nancy Zaun passed peacefully on Nov. 25, 2021 at the age of 99. Born April 8, 1922 to Vernon and Mable Cummings, she is survived by her children Janis (Zaun) Bailey, Mary Zaun, son-in-law Richard Zaun, Bud Bailey; four grandchildren: Maggie, Bob, Eric and Molly; and six great-grandchildren. Her husband Philip Zaun, brother James Cummings and sister Frances Cummings Zaun preceded her in death.
For many years Nancy worked with her husband Phil at their business, Bailey Glass and Mirror. She also worked at Zaun Glass in Burbank and at Jewel City Glass in Glendale. After retiring from the glass business as receptionist, bookkeeper, glass-cutter and sometime truck driver (in an emergency), Nancy became the church secretary at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church.
She believed in being involved and giving back to her community. She was an active member of PEO, PFLAG, Lionettes, Live Steam Club, the Chinese Historical Society and the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. And she did love reading her CV Weekly every Thursday!
A celebration of life will be held for Nancy on Saturday, April 2 at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta at 2 p.m. There will be a reception immediately following in Koopmans Hall.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in honor of Nancy Zaun to either PEO Scholarship Funds, PFLAG or a charity of your choice.
The post Nancy Jane (Cummings) Zaun appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
James Richard Eckert
Sept. 1, 1945 – Dec. 2, 2021
James Richard Eckert, 76, of La Crescenta died Dec. 2, 2021 at his home in La Crescenta. Mr. Eckert was born Sept. 1, 1945 in Oakland, Iowa.
No services will be held.
Funeral directors: www.CrippenMortuary.com
The post James Richard Eckert appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
Feb. 14, 1958 – Feb. 24, 2022
Robert Blaine Chambers was born on Feb. 14, 1958 in San Diego to George and Trudi Chambers. He passed away at home on Feb. 24, 2022.
Bob spent his childhood living in the San Diego area, graduating from Mission Bay High School in 1976 and from Point Loma Nazarene University in 1982. Bob played basketball for both Mission Bay and Point Loma and earned many honors.
At Point Loma he met Pat Murphy and they married in 1981, enjoying 40 years of marriage. After a brief time in the Navy, Bob and Pat settled in Pat’s hometown of La Crescenta. Together they had four children: Taylor Chambers, Kelsey Chambers (Welch), Riley Chambers (Dadzie) and Blaine Chambers, who died of SIDS in 1990.
Bob often forgot that La Crescenta was not his hometown. He loved this area and the community feel. He coached several of his children’s teams, was involved at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church and ultimately worked at the Center for Children.
Bob’s family and friends were his world. He loved his fairly new role as Grandpa to both Logan and Becca Chambers. He treasured playing golf each week with good friends and going on many adventures with special friends from church. Pat and Bob had a mission to visit every MLB ballpark and had visited 20 of them before Bob was diagnosed with cancer.
The Chambers family was famous for their detailed family road trips, many of which included dropping a child off to college. Did you ever see a tall man dressed all in orange with a tiger paw on his hat in and around La Crescenta? Then you saw Bob! He was a diehard Clemson and Dodger fan.
Bob was known for his smile and acts of service.
Services for Bob Chambers will be held at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church on April 9 at 11a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bob Chambers Memorial Fund at the Center for Children, via La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. The church address is 2902 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta CA 91214 or charity of your choice.
The post Robert Blaine Chambers appeared first on Crescenta Valley Weekly.
