Obituaries

Sarah Leitch Holden “Sally”, 69, of Los Altos, California, peacefully passed away on October 29, 2020, with her loving family by her side.  Sally is survived by her husband Dan Holden, her two children John Leitch and Jennifer Leitch Garratt, her mother Constance Gannon, sisters Nancy Gallo, Susan French and Jane Gannon, her daughter-in-law Megan Leitch, her son-in-law Justin Garratt as well as three grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.  Sally was born on December 13, 1950, to her parents John Gannon and Constance Kiepe Gannon in Orange, New Jersey.  Sally graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, New Jersey.  She later attended Cedar Crest College earning a degree in English and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Psychology from Seton Hall University.  Sally dedicated her life to teaching, mentoring and counselling young adults.  Sally started her teaching career working at Terrill Middle School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, teaching middle school English.  Following a move to California in 1994, Sally was hired at Saint Francis High School as a teacher ultimately spending over twenty-four years working as a counselor in the Guidance & Counseling Department. 

John Thomas Acord “JT” passed away in his sleep on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at the age of 66. He is survived by his parents - John and Charlene Acord, his brother - Douglas Acord, his daughter and son-in-law - Jessica and John Hofmann, and his grandson - John Cody Hofmann - and a freezer full of food!

JT led an incredible life - he was a talented chef, loved building and fixing things with his own hands, and driving as fast as he could without getting caught (pretty sure his blood was more ethanol than plasma). He had a big heart and always enjoyed helping others. His family and friends meant everything to him.

Following his wishes, there will not be a memorial service (he would rather you celebrate than morn). The family will spread his ashes in a private ceremony.

Dad, we miss you, but glad you’re resting peacefully now.  We love you so much!

Courtesy of Mark Brannan

Los Altos police officer Richard Brannan prepares for his first day on the job in 1954.

Richard Brannan, a former Los Altos police chief who served 33 years in city law enforcement, died Oct. 20. Mr. Brannan was 92.

Godfrey Fong, 76, of Los Altos Hills, passed away peacefully in Sunnyvale, California, on October 20th, a few hours after his three children had a chance to say their goodbyes. 

Prior to being a venture capitalist for many years, he spent thirty years in the semiconductor industry, holding various management positions with Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation and then Hewlett-Packard before co-founding Weitek Semiconductor, which was subsequently listed on NASDAQ. 

A lifelong fan of the 49ers, Godfrey was always up for a negotiation or a deal. When he wasn’t on the golf course or at the Grill with friends at his beloved Los Altos Golf & Country Club, you could find him behind the camera taking shots of nature or his grandchildren.

Gladys Stark, longtime resident of Los Altos Hills since 1960 and founding member of Congregation Beth Am, passed away on October 13, 2020 at the age of 97.

Gladys was born December 27, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan to parents, Rebecca (Ruth) and Victor Fink. She was the second oldest of four children.  She was predeceased by her older sister, Evelyn Gersh (who died earlier this year at 99) and her two younger brothers, Fred Fink and Bernard  Fink.  The family moved to Mount Clemens, MI where Gladys spent her childhood.

Gladys met her future husband Marvin Stark when they were 17 years old.  After Marvin graduated high school at 16, he left home in Brooklyn to work at a small hotel that was owned by his aunt in Mount Clemens. It was there that Gladys was introduced to Marvin. He was her first and only love; and she thought they would have good-looking children.

Joanne Janet Hannum Eagle slipped this mortal coil peacefully in the early hours of May 4^th, 2020, in Cupertino, California, after an unexpected and short decline, during which she had been surrounded by her lifelong companion, husband of 69 years, Alan; her son, Alan Jr.; daughter and son-in-law Kaaren and Tom Sipes, and grandchildren. Daughter, Deanne, could not be there because of coronavirus travel restrictions. Joanne was 89 years old.

Joanne was born on February 4^th, 1931, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to Fred and Avanelle Hannum, the third of four children. Throughout her life, she was unfailingly cheerful, fiercely intelligent, unerringly dedicated to pursuits she deemed worthy— from music, to belly dancing, to bridge—a world-class world traveler, natively kind and pragmatically unflappable, always.