Deaths Deaths (June 16, 2004)

Mary Jane Goss Callahan

Mary Jane Goss Callahan, 84, a 55-year resident of Palo Alto, died May 19 of emphysema.

She was a native of Milwaukee, Wis.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Jane Hilaire of Mountain View; son, John Joseph Callahan of Palo Alto; son, James Patrick Callahan of Boca Raton, Fla.; brother, Thomas Edward Ross of Milwaukee, Wis.; sister, Kathryn Dorothy McCormick of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brother, Joseph Loy Goss of Phoenix, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Services were held.
Aurelio Espinosa Jr.

Aurelio Macedonia Espinosa Jr., 97, a 94-year resident of Palo Alto, died June 4 of natural causes.

A native of Albuquerque, N.M., he graduated from Palo Alto High School and Stanford University before going on to the University of Madrid in Spain to complete his doctorate. A professor of Spanish at Stanford since 1946, he retired from teaching in 1972.

He was active in several local organizations including serving as president of Palo Alto's sister city organization -- the Neighbors Abroad in 1970.

A foreign language instructor for the U.S. Army in 1942, he co-authored several popular Spanish language textbooks. He also wrote books and monographs on Spanish folklore.

He is survived by his wife, Iraida Espinosa; daughters, Margarita Smith and Maria Shipley; son, Aurelio Ramon; and several grandchildren. A service has been held. Donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus, Council 2677, P.O. Box 515, Palo Alto, CA 94301; or to Neighbors Abroad, P.O. Box 52004, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Barbara Heide Loftus

Barbara Heide Loftus, 72, a 39-year resident of Palo Alto, died May 23.

A native of New York City, she attended Notre Dame Academy, and graduated from Manhattan College. She went on to work as an assistant editor at the "Annual Reviews" in Palo Alto.

An avid fan of crossword puzzles, she also enjoyed music and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, James Loftus of Torrance; daughter, Diane Conrardy of Santa Clara; son, David Loftus of Palo Alto; daughter, Karen de Leon of Santa Clara; six grandchildren and two cousins. Services were held. Donations may be made to Sisters of St. Ursula, Linwood, 139 South Mill Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572; or Notre Dame School of Manhattan, 104 St., Mark's Place, New York, NY 10009.
Harry C. Lynch

Harry C. Lynch, 85, a 43-year resident of Atherton, died June 6.

Born in Mansfield, Ohio, he graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a graduate's degree in Industrial Engineering from Case Institute of Technology.

A longtime member of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, he spent 23 years with Bechtel Corporation working in mining and metal business development.

A sentimental and sensitive man with a booming Irish baritone voice, he enjoyed gardening, tuberous begonias and roses in particular, and singing while his wife played on the piano.

He is survived by his daughter, Holly; son, Loring; and four grandchildren. Memorial services have been held. Donations may be mad in his honor to the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., 1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Miami, FL 33136-1494.
Mamye M. Oshman

Mamye M. Oshman, 95, a Menlo Park resident for more than 20 years, died June 3.

A native of Louisiana, she earned a bachelor's degree in education from the Texas College of Arts and Industries. She was a teacher in South Texas and also owned a women's clothing store called Libby's.

A voracious reader and avid duplicate bridge player, she also enjoyed traveling, entertaining and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, M. Kenneth Oshman of Atherton; son, Rick Oshman of Houston, Texas; sister, Louise Collier of Houston, Texas; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Services have been held. Donations can be sent to the Palo Alto Jewish Community Center Seniors Program, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Thomas Beck Sturges

Thomas Beck Sturges, 85, died May 21 in Los Altos' retirement community Pilgrim Haven.

Born in Clifton, Ariz., he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1941 with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for many years at Crown Zellerbach Corporation and has many patents on packaging equipment used throughout the world.

Happiest when sharing food, wine and conversation with his large family, he took great pride in his children's individual accomplishments and their family home in Ladera in Portola Valley.

He is survived by his son, Tom Sturges of Orinda; daughter, Nancy Caffo of St. Helena; daughter, Sylvia Work of Portola Valley; son, Dan Sturges of Sacramento; daughter, Cindy Butler of Portola Valley; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services have been held. Donations may be made in his honor to Pathways Hospice, 201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 135, Mountain View, CA 94040; Huddart County Park, 1100 King's Mountain Road, Woodside, CA 94062; or to a charity of your choice.
Sheila Ruth Weber

Sheila Ruth Weber, 78, an acting teacher at Stanford University's Drama Department for 19 years, died May 21.

A native of London, she graduated from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York City and worked as a radio and stage actor.

Known as a graceful, loving, intelligent and spirited lady by her family and friends, she also taught speech and presentation skills at the Stanford Business School.

She is survived by her husband, William F. Weber of San Francisco; son, Marc Weber; sister, Terry Kaplan; and three nieces. Donations may be made to the Jewish Community Federation, 121 Stuart St., San Francisco, CA 94105.
Shalah Schwartz Wolfsohn

Shalah Schwartz Wolfsohn, 82, a 48-year resident of Palo Alto, died May 29.

A native San Franciscan, she graduated from Galileo High School and attended Stanford University receiving both bachelor's and master's degrees. She taught at Palo Alto High School for 22 years.

A member of the Palo Alto Bridge Club and an avid fan of Stanford women's sports, she dedicated many hours to her students even after retirement.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Lewis; daughter, Patricia Kay; daughter, Diane Preinitz; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her beloved Boston terrier. Services were held. Donations may be made to a scholarship fund at Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.