People

Nora Evans Buys left 'this veil of tears', as she used to say, on April 11, 2021. She spent her final months in the Sequoias Health 

Center in Portola Valley. After almost 10 years at the Sequoias, making friends, hosting family visitors, and serving as the Vespers coordinator, 

Nora re-married and lived with her 2nd husband, Dr. Frank Berry of Los Altos, who died on Feb. 7. 

Many people carry her forever in their hearts. These include her four children, Richard, Robert, Barbara, and Kathryn Buys; her 5

grand-children, her 6 great grand-children, and countless friends and cousins. Nora and her first husband, Norman Buys, 

fostered a life-long very close friendship with 3 other families (Weiss, Besson, Alexander) and was a 2nd Mom to many of those kids. Together, those 4 families created love, joy, and fun. Nora is the last of those elders to grace us with her presence here on Earth. 

Donald “Duane” Ellison, 90, passed away on April 27, 2021 at Sunrise Senior Living in Burlingame, a Loving & Caring community.

Born in San Francisco, beloved son of Earl Ellison Sr. (deceased) & Maxine Ellison (deceased), brother of Earl Ellison Jr. (deceased) & Pauline Peck (deceased).  Duane lived most of his life in Palo Alto where his father Earl Ellison Sr. had opened a family business in 1929 that later came to be known as Ellison's Body Shop. Duane worked as a car detailer at the family business before becoming a full time Artist. He also worked briefly for the City of Palo Alto as a commercial artist.

He attended Jordan Junior High School, Palo Alto High School and San Jose State University and later completed more studies at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. He also was a member of AMICA due to his extensive collection of musical instruments. Duane formerly entertained his AMICA friends in his home. He had wonderful parties with live music.  Duane was especially fond of Ragtime music, music of the twenties, thirties & forties & the old classic movies.  He also had a wonderful sense of humor & an eye for details. He was an excellent Artist.

Mariano Antonino Tripiano, affectionately known as Mario to friends and family, passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.  Mario was born on December 31, 1975, and grew up in Los Altos, California.  He attended Los Altos High School, going on to attend Chico State, Foothill Junior College, and Oregon State University (OSU) where he was a beloved member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. As Mario would say, “it is always, and I mean ALWAYS, a great day to be an OSU Beaver.”

 It was at OSU where he met Kerine, his wife of 15 years - best friend, partner in crime, every night is date night, and all around perfect match.

 After graduating with a degree in elementary education, he earned his teaching credential at University of Phoenix.  Mario, or “Mr. T” as he was known to his students, taught at Holy Family in San Jose, where he also coached girls softball; and also worked in the Jefferson and Hillsborough school districts.  Mr. T was that beloved once in a lifetime teacher, the one who made an indelible imprint on your life. He cared deeply about each and every individual student and their family, bringing laughter and authenticity as only he could.  Put simply, he was a touchstone. THE touchstone, really.

Andrew Michael Pauli passed away suddenly on April 8, 2021 in Apple Valley, California.

Andy was born in Palo Alto on May 18, 1953 and attended St William School and Los Altos High School. He graduated from Chico State in biology and had a long and successful career as a state biologist and wildlife manager for the California Department of Fish and Game. His specialty was working with Bighorn sheep, increasing their population and relocating them to other parts of the Eastern Sierras and  Mojave Desert. He led many guided tours and was once named the Man of the Year by the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep. He was always an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends and family.

Andy is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lori Muniz Pauli as well as his two children, Andrea (Matt) Seidman, Brian Pauli, and two grandchildren Leah and Owen. He also leaves behind his mother Rita Pauli and his siblings Tricia Pratt (Doug), Bob Pauli (Martha), Judy Bayse and Jim Pauli (Wendy), as well as many nieces and nephews.