Obituaries

November 10, 2019 marks the birthday of our beloved mother, Maria (Mika) Zawojski, who passed away November 7, 2017, just short of her 92nd birthday. Born in Poland and emigrating to the United States after WWII, she and her husband, Walter, and their children lived in Los Altos for many years. In 2011, Mika moved to Auburn, California to live with her daughter and husband. Mika was amazingly vital, out-going, and had an incredible sense of humor. She was the model of love, generosity and beauty – inside and out – and she remains in our hearts, her family, as we honor her memory with an everlasting smile. She leaves a lasting legacy to her family: her son, Chris (Camille); daughter, Karen (Bud); grandchildren Jessica (Nate), Emily (Joey), Alana (Greg), Katrina and Erik; and great grandchildren Wyatt, Hazel, Walter, Charlie, Isabella, James and Luca. We love you up to the sky and higher!

Richard John (Dick) Quinlan passed away peacefully at home on October 17, 2019 at the age of 86. He was born on April 18, 1933 and resided in Menlo Park since 1963 with Jeanne, his beloved wife of 59 years. Dick, a 4th generation San Franciscan, will be remembered as a family man with a generous spirit and an ever-present sense of humor. He is survived by Jeanne Ferrari Quinlan, his wife of over 59 years and his three sons, Greg (Kristin) of Los Altos, Roger (Cathy) of Los Altos and Matt (Kristen) of Menlo Park. He dearly loved his 7 grandchildren, Riley (Kristy), Ellen, Courtney, Katie, Sara, Nathan and Nick.

Ann Marie Barsi passed away peacefully with her family by her side on October 28, 2019, at the age of 91. Ann was born in San Francisco on October 9, 1928, to Giovanni and Mary Denevi. She grew up in the City, and together with her brother Willie and her cousins, had many exciting adventures including journeys on the street car to the beach, Playland and the movies every Saturday. She was an original member of the Village Girls from the North Beach neighborhood and never missed one of their dances or activities. She attended Girls’ High and worked part time at J.C. Penny’s and later for NASA at Moffett Field. Wherever she went, Ann made wonderful, lifelong friends. During a visit to see her cousin Bernice shortly after the War ended, she was introduced to Norman Barsi who had just been discharged from the Navy.

John A. Biberdorf, an aerospace engineer who was part of a team that developed early space satellites, maker of prize-winning pickles, lover of dogs and ducks, military historian, and resident of Los Altos for 56 years, died on Sept. 17 at age 92. John was born on Nov. 20, 1926 in Kampeska, South Dakota to Ernestine (Hine) Biberdorf and Arthur C. Biberdorf, who both immigrated from Ukraine in the late 1800s. Family lore says John, the seventh of eight children, was born on a sled on the way to the doctor. John was preceded in death by his three sisters and four brothers. He is survived by his two daughters, Ann Sibbet (husband John Sibbet) of Sacramento and Jean Biberdorf of San Jose, and his wife of 66 years, Vinnie Biberdorf of Los Altos. Not a fan of work on the farm, John taught himself radio repair from a correspondence course as a teen, which landed him a job off the farm and set his career in motion. In 1945, at the age of 18 he joined the Navy, which furthered his training in electronics and communications.

January 6, 1947 – October 16, 2019 Dr. Samuel Pesner was born in Hollywood, California. Sam attended Inglewood High School where he served as Senior Honor Board and Senior Class President. He was a member of the James K. Polk Fan Club. He then attended UCLA where he earned both Bachelor of Visual Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from the Southern California College of Optometry. Sam was raised in Hawthorne and Inglewood, California. After graduation, Sam had no job and no money, so of course he went to Europe with classmates. During those early years Sam played lead guitar in local bands on his treasured 1957 Fender Telecaster. Lou and Sam were married and embarked on a life of travel and adventure. They spent six months traveling through 36 states and seven provinces of Canada in their 1971 VW Westfalia camper. When you spend six months side by side all day and night, you really get to know that person – and yourself.

Joan Daine, was born April 11, 1931 and passed on October 13, 2019. She was raised in a small town, Forest River, North Dakota, where everyone knew everyone. In college Joan was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Then she and her friends all moved to the big city of Los Angeles, where she met her husband Voyd Daine. In 1960, they moved to Los Altos, CA and had 3 daughters; Drew, Barbara and Sally. Joan and Voyd were married 32 yr. until he passed on in 1991. Joan also had 4 grandchildren. She loved going to watch all their sports competitions. Basketball, baseball, swimming, volleyball- you name it, she was there cheering on the sidelines. Joan was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. View and she belonged to the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was preceded in death by her husband, Voyd Daine, her sister Wilma Hurd, and her very special friend, Phil Crill. She is survived by her daughters: Drew Vranicar (Mark), of Santa Clara, Barbara Matsuoka, (Rich) of Santa Clara and Sally Abbott (Gary), of Reno Nevada; her grandchildren Erin Bryan (Andy), of Richmond Virginia, Neil Vranicar, of San Diego, Ryan Matsuoka (Ladyann), of Danville, and Daren Matsuoka (Allie) of Campbell. The Celebration of Joan’s Life will be on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 2 pm at Sunny View Manor Cupertino, Ca. For more information go to www.spanglermortuary.com