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William Blanchfield
NAPA - William “Bill” Blanchfield, of Napa, passed away suddenly on April 4, 2009.
Bill, who loved reading and poetry, leaves behind many friends; a life that was filled with joy and compassion; and a loving family — wife Suzanna, brother and sister-in-law Tom and Roseanne Blanchfield of Willits, daughter Martha Blanchfield of Vallejo, daughter and son-in-law Margaret and Van Sarantis of Sacramento, and grandchildren Steven (9) and Timothy (6) Sarantis of Sacramento.
Born to William and Sybyl Blanchfield in Oakland, on March 16, 1940, Bill graduated from St. Helena High School in 1958, attended college briefly and then entered the Air Force. In the military, he studied Mandarin at the Yale Language School in New Haven, Conn. There he met Suzanna Polinsky, the woman who became the love and light of his life.
After language school, Bill was stationed on Okinawa, where he and Suzie were married on March 30, 1964. In 1965 they returned to the United States, where Martha was born in St. Helena in 1965 and Margaret in New Haven in 1968. The couple finished Bill’s military service in Virginia, moved to Oakland, and then San Francisco where Bill graduated from San Francisco State in 1968.
Working for the Redevelopment Agency in San Francisco, Bill helped relocate residents during the development of the Western Addition. It was during those years that Bill met and became friends with many of the elderly and disadvantaged that he was helping. As he got to know them and their stories, he began his lifelong love for San Francisco and its history.
In 1972 he and Suzie moved to Napa. He continued working in redevelopment until 1976, when he began his career with Massachusetts Mutual where he worked until his death. As a financial consultant, Bill cultivated many friends, from field workers to CEOs, and was known for his honesty, sincerity and genuine interest in the lives and welfare of others.
Bill loved people and their stories. He filled his world with friends, travel and a vibrant joy in the everyday flow of life. Over the years he was involved in the Native Sons of the Golden West, played the banjo in a band called 21 String Salute, and traveled to Italy, Tahiti and Australia (to watch brother Tom play rugby). He was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader, especially of history.
His smile, his friendship and his love of life will be deeply missed.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, April 9, at 11 a.m., at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home, 1975 Main St., in Napa. Napa Parlor # 62 of the Native Sons of the Golden West will officiate.
Judith Vance
ANGWIN - Judith Vance passed away April 6, 2009, at home, with family at her side.
Judy was assistant professor of English at Pacific Union College, where she specialized in composition and children’s and adolescent literature. She received her master of arts in English from Loma Linda University.
Judy is survived by her loving husband, Robin; daughter Ashley; son Christopher; and her parents, Dean and Donna Russell. Also surviving are her brothers, Frank and Elwin Russell; sisters Denise Romano and Deanna Engen; sister-in-law Rochelle Russell; brothers-in-law Dean Romano and Rodney Vance; two nieces and one nephew. Judy is preceded in death by her brother, Donald Russell.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 11, at 4 p.m., at Pacific Union College Church. Interment will be private at the St. Helena Cemetery.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel of Napa Valley, (707) 963-3536.
Dorothy Hellofs
ST. HELENA - Dorothy Hellofs died at home in St. Helena on April 6, 2009. She was born in Winnipeg, Canada, where she met and married her husband of 44 years, Norval.
Dorothy loved her home and her family and will be missed by her daughters, Susan Rudd and Linda Hellofs, and granddaughters Samantha Rudd and Britt Binet.
Dorothy was a character with a dry wit and a unique perspective. As a former Hudson Bay runway model, she always had her lipstick at the ready position in case her make-up needed a touchup. She loved a good laugh, watching “Dancing With the Stars,” caramel sundaes, French dip sandwiches at Rutherford Grill, and the color purple. We will all remember her when we see her favorite color.
A private family service will be held in early May.
Max Quast
CALISTOGA - Max Quast, 82, passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 17, 2008, after a long illness.
Harold Varozza
NAPA - St. Helena native Harold Varozza passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at Queen of the Valley Medical Center.
He was 81.
Harold was born May 22, 1927, in St. Helena, to Joseph and Mary (Rossini) Varozza.
He graduated from St. Helena High School and later served his country in the U.S. Navy.
Donald Stewart
CALISTOGA - Donald H. Stewart, of Calistoga, passed away Nov. 1, 2008.
He was born July 7, 1921, in Santa Rosa.
Evelyn Plummer
LAKEPORT - Evelyn Plummer was born in Los Angeles on Feb. 26, 1924.
She passed away peacefully in Lakeport on Nov. 8, 2008.
Alvin Edmister
NAPA - Alvin Wayne Edmister passed away on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at the age of 69.
He is survived by his son, David; daughter-in-law Moira; three grandchildren, Conor, Joe and Mac, of Mill Valley; and brother John “Sequoia Sun” Edmister of Connecticut.
David Lefler
NAPA - In loving memory of my beloved big brother, David Henry Lefler Jr., May 3, 1957 to Oct. 30, 2008.
Mario Sereni Jr.
CALISTOGA - Mario Sereni Jr., 72, left his family on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, to be with his ever-loving wife L’Vere.
He passed unexpectedly in his sleep, due to heart complications.
Helmuth Retzer
ST. HELENA - Our loving father, Helmuth Carl Retzer, born Jan. 10, 1916, in Hoven, S.D., died Jan. 19, 2009.
Thomas McCaffrey Jr.
VALLEJO - Tom McCaffrey Jr., 84, passed away at Kaiser Vallejo Hospital on Jan. 21, 2009. He was born April 14, 1924, in Cordelia, to Thomas and Gertrude McCaffrey. His family moved to Calistoga where he graduated from high school. He received special letters of recommendation from his teachers to join the Army at age 17. He served in the Army Air Corps and was stationed in France where he flew P-47’s over Belgium and also fought in the “Battle of the Bulge.” He had a decorated military career, earning an Air Medal and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. The criteria for receiving these medals are meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Following his honorable discharge, he joined the Air National Guard No. 129 OPS Group at Moffett Field flying Fighter P-51’s. He was a member of the P-47 Pilots Association.
Martin Rivera
CALISTOGA - Martin Rivera Garcia was received by God on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at his home, at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife, Rebeca Rivera; daughters Dalia Rivera and Erica Rivera; grandchildren Isabella, Eric and Leonardo; six elder children: Zita, Efren, Martin Jr., Diana, Valdemar and Esmeralda; and countless more grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Norma Brooks Johnson
NAPA - Norma Brooks Johnson passed away on Jan. 16, 2009. She was 85.
Joanne Doumani
NAPA - Born in Los Angeles to Claude and Marion Matz. The family moved to Winslow, Ariz., returning when Joanne was a teenager.
A friend from Winslow who had also moved to L.A. introduced her to a classmate, Carl Doumani.
They wed and were married for almost 30 years.
William Bowers
CALISTOGA - A husband, father, grandfather, teacher and friend, William Townsend Bowers II passed away on Feb. 19, 2009. Bill was born in Detroit on Sept. 2, 1918, to Verne and Esther Bowers. The family spent a significant amount of time living in Youngstown, Ohio, before relocating to Southern California. Bill met his future wife of 65 years, Janet, while attending junior college in Pasadena. The two would later transfer to UCLA, where Bill earned a bachelor’s degree.
Christopher Johnson
CALISTOGA - On April 4, 2009, Christopher Robert Johnson passed away peacefully, surrounded by friends and family after a courageous, year-long battle against pancreatic cancer. Born Dec. 10, 1962 in Reno, Nev., Chris is survived by his daughters, Jennifer and Emily, and their mother, Kristi, of Calistoga; parents Greg and Patricia Johnson, of Auburn; and sister Rene Marie (Johnson) Richardson. Chris is also survived by Ruth Souroujon and many close friends who were always there during this extremely challenging time in his life while he continued to pursue his dreams.
Judith Vance
ANGWIN - Judith Vance passed away April 6, 2009, at home, with family at her side.
Dorothy Hellofs
ST. HELENA - Dorothy Hellofs died at home in St. Helena on April 6, 2009.
She was born in Winnipeg, Canada, where she met and married her husband of 44 years, Norval.
