Obituaries

June 16, 1953 - December 10, 2019 Resident of Los Altos Patricia Ellen Chovanec was born in 1953 in Oakland California. No one could pronounce her last name correctly so in 1975 she married Thomas Edward Chay and traded it for another last name that no one could pronounce correctly. Pat had several phases in her career, but her favorite was the many years she spent as a librarian for the Mountain View Los Altos school District. Her health forced her to resign from that job in 2011, Otherwise she probably would have still been doing it last month When you think of Pat you think of sewing. Teaching sewing classes, teaching her grandchildren to sew, making clothes, quilting, embroidering, shirts for many, but with matching underwear only for her husband Tom.

James Edward Hoffman, age 80, died December 27, 2019 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer disease. Jim was born the son of Gilbert and Margaret Hoffman on December 13, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio. Jim enjoyed living in Los Altos Hills where he moved in 1972. He was actively involved in the local horse scene supporting his wife and daughter's endeavors. He was also a regular at the Starbucks at Rancho where he had his daily coffee before walking his corgi. He volunteered his time at Fremont Hills Country Club where he served on the Board and as Chairman. Lastly, he spent many of his weekends following local sports where you would find him in the cheap end zone seats at a Stanford football game or listening to KNBR radio. Jim graduated from St. Edwards High School in Cleveland, Ohio and then attended University of Michigan where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

July 23,1928----September 2, 2019 PALO ALTO After a fulfilling life Juliann passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91. She was surrounded in life by a large circle of family and friends. Judy, as she was known by all, was born in the very small farming town of Edgar, Montana. Growing up on the farm with her sister, Irene and 3 brothers (Lawrence, Duane and Willis), and expected to contribute to the farm’s success, helped forge her work ethic. Judy graduated in a very small class at Fromberg High School where she enjoyed playing on the basketball team. After graduation, Judy moved to San Francisco, following her older sister, Irene. There she met her husband, James Roberts. They moved to Palo Alto to start a family. Judy devoted her life to raising her 5 children. As the children grew up, she began a new phase in her life, and stepped back into the working world, beginning her 27 year career as an executive secretary for Ford Aerospace. Judy’s passions were dancing, baking and traveling.

Mrs. Huston

Barbara “Bobbie” Huston, co-founder of the annual Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade, died Dec. 3 after battling cancer. She was 92.

Mrs. Huston was born July 26, 1927, in Hettinger, N.D. Her childhood was shaped by loving parents who partnered in making a living in South Dakota.

Co-Founder of Festival of Lights Parade -enjoyed by generations Bobbie Huston, co-founder of the annual Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade that continues to be enjoyed by multiple generations, passed away peacefully December 3, 2019 after her courageous battle with Cancer. All those whose life has been touched by Bobbie, will dearly miss this thoughtful and delightful woman. Bobbie was 92. Barbara Ginter Huston was born in Hettinger, North Dakota on July 26, 1927. Her childhood was shaped by loving parents that partnered in making a living in South Dakota. Her daughter Maridee Charlton recalls:” Mom was an only child and her imagination and ingenuity were fully utilized in entertaining herself while growing up in what she admitted was in the middle of nowhere. She loved of to dance and always wanted to be a professional dancer. She grew up dancing, and ultimately wanted to be a Rockette, at but 5'2" she wasn't tall enough.” Daughter Robin Johnston also remembers: “In high school in Marshalltown, Iowa, she was a very good drummer and Mom competed in state competitions leading up to college and was state champion for 2 years.

On December 16, 2019, Gregory Thomas Vistica, with family by his side, left this earth from his home in Los Altos Hills for his new home in Heaven.  Greg treasured his family, especially Margaret, his beloved wife of 70 years, his three daughters and their husbands, Diane Noriega (Bruce), Cynthia Vistica (Michael Barbieri), and Suzanne Demo (Thomas) and his four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Sharing repast with family and friends was also a great joy in his life.  Greg was born in Stockton, CA, to immigrant parents, Nicolina and Martin Vistica, from Yugoslavia and spoke Croatian to the very end.  When Greg was four years old, his pleasant life in Stockton became a very difficult one when his father died from health complications contracted while serving in WWI.  Greg’s young, widowed mother moved him and his sister, Anne, to Sunnyvale to live in the Libby’s Cannery Camp before settling into a relative’s home on Fremont Rd where Greg had to pick apricots and perform other jobs to buy his own shoes and necessities.