Obituaries

Christine Ellis Mack, aged 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Mountain View surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, May 19, 2019. She was born on November 11,1932 in San Jose to Calliope and Nicholas Ellis the youngest of five children. She graduated from Lincoln High School in San Jose and attended the University of California at Berkeley and was also a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority House. On November 17, 1951 Christine married her wonderful husband George H. Mack and settled in San Francisco, moving to Palo Alto and eventually Los Altos Hills to raise their family. After her husband passed away in 1976 she began her vibrant career becoming the President of the Credit Union at Syntex Corporation in Palo Alto. She thrived there for over twenty years.

Lorraine Davis (Whealan), age 52, passed away on June 9. Lorraine was born in Palo Alto and raised in Los Altos. She graduated from St. Nicholas Catholic School, St. Francis High School and the University of San Francisco. Always an athlete, she spent her career as a yoga instructor, swim instructor, coach and massage therapist. Lorraine was especially gifted working with young people and the elderly who always appreciated her high energy, and her playful and generous spirit. She was always making friends and offering help to anyone who might need it. Lorraine had two sons who she raised mostly in Bear Valley and Los Altos. She was a thoughtful and loving mother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt, cousin and friend to many and she will be sorely missed by us all.

WILLIAM JACKMAN SCHATZ II Bill Schatz passed away on June 5th. His memorial Service will be at Los Altos United Methodist Church on Friday, June 14 at 11 AM. Full obituary to follow next week.

May 19, 1923 – April 12, 2019 Bonnie Minor a sixty-six year resident of Los Altos passed away peacefully at home on April 12, accompanied by loved ones. Born May 19, 1923 to Clyde and Ruth Hubbard of Aztec, New Mexico, Bonnie attended the Colorado College of Women in Denver, CO. with a scholarship in Music. She obtained her teaching credentials and taught fourth and fifth graders English, Biology and Music. Bonnie’s search for adventure lead her to apply to United Airlines for a Stewardess position. She graduated from the first class of United Airlines stewardesses in Chicago, Illinois and was stationed at San Francisco International Airport. That is where she met her future husband, Captain Charles T. Minor of United Airlines. Bonnie flew aboard non-pressurized aircrafts the D.C. 3 and D.C.4’s across the Western Rockies routes. She resigned from United Airlines in 1946 and married Charles T. Minor November 10, 1946 in Aztec N.M. The newlyweds resided in an apartment in Redwood City until they purchased a building lot on Jay Street in Los Altos in 1952. They proceeded to build their dream home with the assistance of their good friends, Johnny and Mary Schmitz of Los Altos. Bonnie was a volunteer at El Camino Hospital for 21 years as she loved helping people and it brought her great joy.

July 25, 1928 - May 29, 2019 Herschel Leroy Gott passed away on May 29, 2019, at the age of 90. He is survived by his four children: Bob Gott, Nancy Speizer, Anne Gott and Ellen Hilbert. He is also survived by his six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Hersch was born in Kansas City, Missouri and was the youngest of three children. He joined the Navy in 1947 and earned his naval aviator wings after two years of flight training which coincided with the beginning of the Korean War. He was assigned to the first ever Naval jet squadron and flew combat missions over North Korea in 1951-52. Hersch loved his time as a Naval pilot and shared many stories over the years with family and friends about his military days. Following the war, Hersch settled in the Bay Area, first in the East Bay, then Los Altos, where he was a resident for more than thirty-five years. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, and grandfather and enjoyed spending time visiting his family, reading, and later discovered a passion for singing in piano bars with friends. Memorial services will be held on June 22, 2019 at 1pm, at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos, CA.

Resident of Los Altos November 14, 1938 - May 15, 2019 Bob Wordell passed away on May 15 after a long and courageous bout with Alzheimer’s. He was defined by his love of family, friends and faith. Family and friends enjoyed his warm and comfortable personality. He was born and spent his childhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of four children. His older sisters loved him, and loved to tease him, until he got stronger than they were. He was the apple of his mother’s eye. He attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and set off for San Francisco in the early 1960’s, never to return. His career was as a salesperson for wholesale musical instruments, where he became more of a friend than a salesperson to his retail customers. He met and married Cynthia Charlton in 1966, and their son, Kipp, came into their lives in 1970. His pastimes included home improvement projects, tennis, and bicycling, He made several trips to Europe to hike and to introduce his granddaughters to the wonders of the world. His Catholic faith was his unwavering companion, sustaining him through good times and bad. He practiced his faith by being a member of the Kairos Prison Ministry, where he and his teammates served “the men in blue” at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville for many years. He was a member of St. William Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir and served as a Eucharistic minister. He is predeceased by his parents, George and Vivian Wordell, and his sisters Georgene Seaman and Patricia Kaiser. He is survived by his loving family: Cynthia, his wife of 51 years; son Kipp of Nevada City, CA; sister Nancy Carlson of Mequon, WI; granddaughters Lauren, Alexi and Taylor; and many nieces and nephews. Special people in his life include his helpers Mani Vatikani , Dina Caceras, and Marissa Holm; the angels at Cedar Creek Memory Care in Los Gatos; and Bo and Stan from Help and Care. The funeral service will be held at St. William Catholic Church, 611 South El Monte Avenue, Los Altos, Saturday, June 22 at 11:00 AM followed by a reception in the church hall. Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to: CMF Vacaville Kairos P.O. Box 2866 Dublin CA 94568