TOSHI VAN BLITTER
Toshi Van Blitter, loving mother and grandmother, died suddenly on October 3, 2006 of arterial dissection to her heart. She was 72 years young and will be profoundly missed. A kind and generous woman, she was a devoted mother and grandmother to her five grandchildren. Mom lived the past ten years at Parc Regent in Los Altos since losing her husband in 1993.
Born in China, she moved to the states after marrying our father, John Donald Van Blitter, an engineer with Voice of America, a division of the Foreign Service.
She is survived by her three living children: son John Michael Van Blitter of San Diego and his daughter, Daniella; daughter Michele Van Blitter-Kirsch and her husband Steve of Los Altos Hills and their three daughters, Katherine, Alexandra and Julia; daughter Monique Van Blitter-Apatoff and husband Michael of Sausalito and their son Dante Cesa.
Private services are pending for burial. Mom’s final resting place will be with our father at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations made in Mom’s name to the American Heart Association, San Jose Chapter.
BROOKE ADRIENNE CLAIBORNE
Brooke Claiborne, loving daughter of John G. Claiborne Jr. and Kate Claiborne, beloved sister of Johnny and Tyler Claiborne, passed away on September 22, 2006.
A Bay Area native, Brooke was born in Los Gatos, California on May 15, 1974. She moved to Los Altos in 1987 and attended St. Francis High School where she graduated in 1992. Brooke received her bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Sciences from Foothill College and had been employed by Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara for the last 7 years as a respiratory therapist. Brooke was a gifted therapist as evidenced by her many awards and letters of commendation. Brooke especially enjoyed her work in the pediatric and neonatal departments of the hospital and had a wonderful rapport with children.
A kind, compassionate and loving person to everyone she knew, our angel Brooke will truly be missed.
Services were held at St. Williams Catholic Church on September 30, 2006. Contributions were made in Brooke’s name to the Autism Society of America.
DONALD MUIRLE HOLT
Donald Holt, a native of Mountain View, California, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2006 from a stroke. Don married Virginia McClaine on August 22, 1945. They have lived in the home built by Donald’s parents in 1913 for the last 25 years. Don was a mail carrier for Mountain View from 1941 to 1974. Don leaves behind his wife, Virginia and 3 children, Ronald Holt of Washington, Donna Hendee of Nebraska, and Donald Holt of California. He also leaves 7 grandchildren, Dennis Gafvert of California, Kelly Dombrowski of Illinois, Tracy Courtney of Colorado, Michael Holt of Washington, Jeffrey Holt of California, Jessica Pich of Colorado and Lauren Hendee of Nebraska. He also leaves 8 great grandchildren, Danelle & Nick Dombrowski, Tyler Courtney, Alexus & Trinity Pich, Megan and Samantha Gafvert, and Madison Holt. Don’s hobby was backpacking in the high Sierras. He began packing in 1945 and in August 1981 hiked 258 miles over the John Muir trail. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations be made to Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church at 2094 Grand Road, Mountain View in his memory. There will be no services.
MARY S. HEDGES
Mary S. Hedges passed away October 2, 2006 in Los Altos, CA at 84. She was born in Springfield, Ohio. She made her home in Los Altos, CA since 1947 working as a teacher and elementary school principle with the Cupertino Union School District for thirty years.
She is survived by her son Bob and his wife Bev Hedges, grandsons Matthew and James Hedges, granddaughters Laura Brink, Leslie Tarpening, Lynnette Long and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister in law, nieces and nephew from her recently passed brother, Richard T. Smeltzer’s family in Reno, Nevada.
Services will be held at the Los Altos United Methodist Church in Los Altos, CA 94024 on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pathways Hospice, 585 Mary Ave., Sunnyvale CA 94085 or to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
CHARLETTE OLIVE WARNER
Charlette Olive Warner Parsons passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2006 after a series of stokes. She was 87 years old. Born Sept. 6, 1919 in Oakland, CA. Daughter of Raymond and Mabelle Warner. Charlette is survived by her husband Robert Parsons, three sons: Gary, Charles and Robert, and five grandchildren: Scott, Cristin, Melissa, Mitchell, and Tori.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, Oct. 30, 2006, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2094 Grant Rd., Mountain View, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Timothy’s Mission Fund is requested in Charlette’s name.
