Obituaries

Virginia “Ginny” Cordray Harrington passed away at age 67 on January 30, 2021. A Los Altos, CA resident of 37 years, she was at home with her family at her side after a challenging battle with stomach cancer.

Ginny was born in Philadelphia, PA to Arden and Richard Cordray, the second of five children. She grew up in California, spending much of her childhood in Palo Alto. She graduated high school in 1971 from Northfield School for Girls in Massachusetts. She went on to attend college at UC Santa Barbara, during which time she spent a year living abroad as an exchange student in Spain, an experience that led her to develop a love of the Spanish language and a curiosity about culture. This would later shape her career, as well as her travel interests, which would take her to various countries across the world. After studying abroad, Ginny completed her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, graduating in 1975. She then went on to earn a teaching credential and began working as an elementary school teacher.

Ginny met Roy Harrington through folk dancing in 1980. They were married in 1982 and had three children. Ginny left the workforce to dedicate herself fully to raising her children. When her children were adults, Ginny returned to teaching: volunteering at low-income schools, substitute teaching, and tutoring local students in Spanish.

Feb. 24 1925 to Jan. 30 2021.

The last of the surviving “Paleo girls” died early Saturday Jan. 30th 2021 at the age of 95. She joined her sisters; Carmelita Cahill (June-28-2018), Josette Case (June-12-1995), Charlotte Paleo (1960), her mother Dolores Cooper (Mar-4-1995) and step father Joseph Cooper (May, 1995.)

 She is survived by her husband of 70 years Andrew Studendorff, her daughter Christina and three sons Michael, David and Peter along with 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

 Justine was born and raised in Oakland, CA where she graduated from St. Elizabeth High School.  She met Andy, her husband, in 1941 when he was 17 and she was 15.  Her family lived across the street from his Aunt’s house. When they first encountered, he noticed her blue dress and that she was beautiful. They dated through WWII and were married in 1951.

 Her first son, Michael, was born while they lived in San Francisco. David was born after a move to Palo Alto and both Christina and Peter were born after the family moved to Los Altos in 1955. In 1977 she and her husband retired to San Jose.

Billie (Janes) MacGregor passed away peacefully on December 28, 2020.  Billie was born on February 2, 1941 in Berkeley, California.  She was the daughter of Addison and Mary Sheridan Janes.  Billie grew up in Palo Alto, California, graduated from Palo Alto High School where she met her husband Glen MacGregor.  After attending Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, Billie and Glen were married in 1963 and eventually settled in Los Altos, California with their children, Matt and Shannon.

Billie enjoyed family adventures, including vacations to Lake Almanor where she often enjoyed using her keen eye for photography. There are many photos of kids, family, a trip to Africa, the Virgin Islands and other favorite vacations. Billie was an avid tennis player, a competitive bridge player, always maintained a gorgeous garden and never missed a note on the piano.

Her lifetime love of horses was realized when they moved to San Martin and then Penn Valley, California.  She spent many hours riding and training horses and with her competitive spirit entered several types of Equestrian events. 

Billie is survived by her beloved husband Glen, her son, Matt, his wife, Wendy and their daughters, Megan and Sarah, her daughter, Shannon, her husband, Kyle and their children, Tucker and Addison as well as her sister, Maureen.  Billie will be missed by her family and friends, but her memory will live on in our hearts forever.  In Billie's memory, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or your favorite charity.

Jack (Moose) Melvin Myers, resident of Menlo Park, CA was born Oct. 8, 1924 in St. Louis Missouri to Clarence and Daisy Myers and passed away at the age of 96 on Christmas Eve, 2020.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Donna Myers and his brother Keith Myers.  The family moved to Ventura, CA in 1933, the boys wearing knickers and all.  At Ventura High School Jack lettered in football, baseball, basketball, track, and tennis.  This earned him a scholarship to UCLA.  Jack attended UCLA in 1944-45, then joined the Navy to fight in WWII, becoming an officer.  On his way to Japan on a Navy destroyer the war ended and Jack returned to UCLA to play in the 1947 and 1948 Rose Bowls.  Some of his teammates were Cal Rossi (leading ground gainer in the nation in 1948), Skip Rowland, and Robert Hansen.  Jack was the starting first baseman, leading hitter, and M.V.P. of the baseball team.  Jack married his sweetheart, Donna Lee Arrants in June 1947.  After UCLA, Jack became the first collegiate athlete offered contracts in both football (Philadelphia Eagles) and baseball, (NY Yankees).  Jack was drafted in the 5th round by the Eagles and played fullback and linebacker in 1948, 1949, & 1950. 

Maureen (Renie) S. Scherer passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on January 17, 2021 after a 9 year battle with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 78.

Renie was born in Covina California in 1942, she spent her youth ballet dancing, riding her family horse Lida and helping her parents in their flower shop. She graduated from Covina High School in 1959. She attended the University of Redlands where she was a member of the freshman Song Leader team and Delta Kappa Psi sorority. She graduated with a BA in Spanish in 1963. She was always up for an adventure and loved to tell stories about her semester abroad living in Mexico City in 1962!

Marguerite Jean English was born and raised in Los Altos, California, the youngest of four children born to Mike and Ann English. Due to a severe bout of meningitis as a baby, Maggie had serious health and learning issues throughout her life. She attended The Morgan Center School for many years. Maggie was so dearly loved by her family and is missed every day. Maggie died of COVID/respiratory failure on April 24th, 2020. 

Michael Thomas English was born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, where he was a part of a big Italian family. He attended Catholic school in Norwalk. He was in the Engineering program at University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, graduating at the top of his class with degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering. He was also a member of Mensa. 

Mike's senior year of college was sidetracked when his Navy reserveship was activated to be part of the Russian Blockade in Cuba. He spent a year and a half in Cuba and at sea in the Caribbean and the North Sea. At the end of his tour, Mike was offered an appointment to Naval O.C.S. which he declined, preferring to finish college.