Obituaries

April 29, 1932 – May 5th, 2020 Delores (Dolly) Kennedy Albright of Carmel Valley, CA passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on May 5th, 2020 surrounded by her four children and is now reunited with her husband Dr. George Albright (predeceased in February 2020). Born in Coraopolis, PA on April 29th, 1932, Dolly was the daughter of Gene and Marie Kennedy. After graduating from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow College) with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Home Economics, she began her career as a teacher at Moon High School in Moon Township outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Soon after she met and married the love of her life George Albright of Crafton, PA, a medical student enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completing his internship at Bethesda Naval Hospital. While stationed in Hawaii, Dolly gave birth to Karla and twin boys David and Doug. Soon after a move to Rochester, MN, their fourth child Greg was born. After living briefly in Long Island, New York, Dolly and George moved their young family to Los Altos Hills, California.

Guido Edmond Van Thillo, 83, of Los Altos CA passed away on April 14th, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Guido was born Dec. 15, 1936, in Antwerp Belgium, to Edmond and Victoria Van Thillo, the oldest of 4 children. He came to America in 1960. He loved America, and especially California where he made his home. He bravely battled lung cancer for a year and a half and kept a positive outlook and never quit fighting. His favorite expression was, “Keep on truckin’!” He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara (Meade) and daughters Elizabeth, Katie, Christina and Annie, grandchildren: James, Madison, William and Charlie, Sophia, Sam and Spencer, and his brother Hugo (Monique van Thillo), and sister Lydwina (Luc Charlier) of Belgium, and his brother Chris (Grace) in southern California. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Belgium. Guido has three sons from a previous marriage, Edwin, Eric and Ethan and two grandsons, Mark and Kurt. Guido and Barbara met and married in Laguna Beach in 1974, where their four daughters were born. They shared an appreciation for the local museums, art shows, and sailing with friends and family on their sailboat “Phaedra”.

Carl Warden passed away peacefully at home May 4, 2020 after battling declining health for several years. He had a decorated business career but was also known for his unselfish commitment to helping others. Carl leaves behind his devoted wife Vickie of 40 years, 4 children; Stephanie, Eric, Scott and Wendy, 8 grandchildren and his sister; Jo Lynne Burgh. Carl was born March 7, 1939 in Lake Charles, LA. He attended Lake Charles High School where he won State Championships in AAA football, basketball and track. Carl went on to play football at Tulane University and graduated with a business degree. He moved to California in 1964 to pursue a career as a stockbroker. Once there, he transitioned into corporate finance where he cultivated his technique in financing early stage business ventures. He was known for his creativity and for surrounding himself with smart, talented and hardworking teammates. Carl loved to “huddle in a mud puddle” and the “art of the deal”. Allwaste, Sanifill, US Liquids and Nyfix were just a few of his career milestones. The friendships and experiences forged in those years of his career were never forgotten and often discussed.

Melba Jean Araquistain, longtime resident of Los Altos Hills, passed away on May 11, 2020 in the Touchmark Assisted Living Facility in Meridian, Idaho. She lived there with her husband of 62 years, Paul Araquistain. Melba lived a wonderful life, full of love, exciting travel, and wonderful meals with family and friends. She was born in Paonia, Colorado in 1930 to Clarence and Edna Sandifer and grew up with her siblings, Bob, Shirley, and Charlotte. Melba graduated from Caldwell High School (Idaho) in 1948 and took her first job in public service at the Idaho Public Employment Agency. In 1950, she met Paul Araquistain and that first night of dancing gave way to a love story worthy of Hollywood (full of wooing, intrigue, and happiness). They married on September 14, 1957 and raised three beautiful children: Michelle, Lisa, and Paul II. Melba raised her family in the burgeoning Silicon Valley as her husband helped grow the semiconductor industry. Once the kids were grown, Melba took up work at Y.A.

Rita Claire (Brennan) Keefe died peacefully in her sleep on May 4, 2020 after battling Parkinson’s disease for 17 years. She was widowed from her husband, Richard Keefe, in 2008. She leaves behind a son (Ryan) and his wife (Vernadette) and their four children; and daughter (Erin) and her husband (Phil Musil) and their two children. Born in Chicago in 1942, to Dr. Robert and Mrs. Olive Brennan, she grew up in the small farm town of Philo, Illinois, and had many happy memories growing up there with her four siblings. She was a good student, and very active in school- student council, gymnastics, cheerleading, and she was voted homecoming queen of the Senior class. She reached her dream of becoming a nurse, following in the footsteps of her mother, when she graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Peoria, IL in 1963. After graduation, she and a nursing friend headed out west and settled in California’s Bay Area. She soon found a job at Stanford Hospital. It was at Stanford that she met Dr. Richard Keefe, and their romance began. They were married in spring of 1969, and settled in Los Altos. They loved to travel, whether on a safari in Africa or waiting out a hurricane in Fiji, and loved spending time with family and friends. Rita returned to school to earn her Master’s in Public Health at San Jose State.

July 7, 1954 – May 1, 2020 Resident of Los Gatos Our beloved brother and friend passed away unexpectedly following a surgery, at the age of 65. Carl was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He spent his first four years in Sotterley Heights, Maryland, while his father Albert (“Al”) worked at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River as an aeronautical engineer. In 1958, Al and Carl’s mother Betty joined the great engineering migration to what would become Silicon Valley. The family lived in Los Altos. Carl graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino. Carl swam competitively during high school and had a life-long love of outdoor sports, including mountain biking, golf, and skiing. In later years, he was slowed by some chronic injuries, but he persisted in spite of them. Carl started his work life as a carpenter, and eventually founded his own business as a general contractor. He was still supervising projects up until the time of his passing. Carl had high standards and took much pride in knowing how to do the job right. Friends and family alike have noted that Carl never hesitated to let you know his opinions on such matters. Carl joined the Los Altos Masters swim team in the early nineties.