By Clyde Noel

Courtesy of the Zinn family

Neighbors are making all the difference for a Mountain View mother of two who has to carry on without her husband after his untimely death more than a week and a half ago.

“I couldn’t do without them,” Janis Zinn said. “We have had other tragedies on our street and I’m not the first, but the way neighbors rallied behind me is unbelievable.

“If people think Silicon Valley is cold, they should see all the love and compassion the neighborhood provided.”

Janis lost her husband, Howard M. Zinn in an April 6 accident at the intersection of Foothill Expressway and Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Zinn, riding his bicycle, was struck and killed by an automobile.

In addition to his wife, he leaves behind a daughter, Rachel, 11, and a son, David, 9. Both are students at Almond School in Los Altos.

When Janis heard about the tragedy, Eileen Gann, a close neighbor, drove her to Stanford Hospital.

“The social worker at Stanford Hospital was so nice. She told us not to hurry, just get your things together and come here,” Gann said. “We knew, and as word leaked out, neighbors and relatives started their outpouring of help.”

Howard Zinn was buried Sunday.

Etz Chayim Synagogue, of Palo Alto, provided three nights’ support when 40 people, unkown to Janis, brought food and provided assistance. They took the children to school, and covered everything that was needed.

“We’re neighborhood moms,” said Judy Russell. “We have a neighborhood group with lots of kids, lots of parties during the holidays and a very supportive neighborhood. When it comes to something like this, we absolutely do what we have to do.”

The neighborhood is south of El Monte on the Los Altos-Mountain View border. Neighborhood children attend Almond school.

“It’s a fun-loving neighborhood. We have ice cream socials and the kids have Christmas-caroling parties in our garage,”Gann said. “Rachel’s friends are like a mini-version of the neighborhood moms.”

Lynn Orne, Janis Zinn’s mother who lives in Castro Valley, said Howard will be missed by the kids.

“He was a computer nerd and he set up the Web site for Almond School, and consulted the school on computers,” Orne said. “He helped the Cub Scouts and led den meetings with 60 kids at Los Altos Pack 77. They even had a moment of silence at the Cub Pack for Howard.”

Dentist Kevin Sawyer, whose practice is in nearby Rancho Shopping Center, said a lot of the parents are his patients.

“It’s heartwarming to see friends in a community rally around the family and provide support for family needs,” Sawyer said.

The neighborhood dads also are providing support. Last Sunday, neighbor Steve Cutcomb trimmed Janis’ trees and Jim Russell mowed the lawn.