Deaths Deaths (September 15, 2004)

Jean Auld Grotewohl

Jean Auld Grotewohl, 77, a 46-year resident of Menlo Park, died Aug. 21 in Roseville, Calif., where she had lived since 2001.

She was born March 11, 1927 in Chicago, Ill., earned a bachelor's degree in music at Northwestern University and then moved with her husband and parents to Menlo Park in 1955. She was a devoted daughter, providing years of care for her mother, Neva Auld, who died in 2001 at the age of 108.

She was a tireless volunteer in a variety of philanthropic endeavors: PTAs, Menlo Mothers' Club, the Family Service Agency, the Mid-Peninsula League of the San Francisco Symphony and the Menlo-Atherton Auxiliary to the Retarded Children's Guild (now the Community Association for Rehabilitation), among others. She also golfed regularly with the Women's 18-Hole Group at the Stanford Golf Course.

In addition, she was a popular piano teacher, giving lessons in her home to hundreds of mid-Peninsula children over a span of several decades. Her spring recitals were popular cultural events, attracting not only current students and their parents, but alums and outside friends. Her reputation accompanied her to Roseville, where she was able to establish a thriving practice shortly after her arrival.

Over the years she played piano for Sunday schools, first at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and later at the First Church of Christ Scientist in Menlo Park.

She is survived by her son, David Grotewohl of Sacramento; son, Mark Grotewohl of Sacramento; daughter, Julie ten Doesschate of Manhattan Beach; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial services have been held.

Rebecca Hochman

Rebecca Hochman, 93, a resident of Los Altos, died Aug. 26.

Born in Krasnayarsk, Siberia on Dec. 25, 1910, the last of six children of a well-known rabbi, she immigrated to the United States with her father, mother and only brother, after a long difficult trip through Russia when she was 22. The rest of her siblings remained in Russia, but most perished in the Holocaust.

She married Philip Hochman in New York City, who predeceased her by 20 years, and spent the majority of her adult life living in Sunland-Tujunga, Calif., and later Palm Desert prior to moving to Los Altos last year. Her main love in life was her family to whom she devoted her energies. She spoke four languages and loved reading and conversation. In spite of many health problems, she rarely complained.

She is survived by her daughter, Esther Wojcicki of Stanford; her son, Lee Hochman of Stanford; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services have been held. Donations may be made to the Global Fund for Women, 1375 Sutter St., Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94109.

Frances Janin

Frances Lois Choate Janin, 86, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Aug. 15.

She was born Sept. 4, 1917, in Holbrook, Ariz., the third child of Ada and Jim Choate. She grew up in Porterville, Calif., where she attended junior college before matriculating at the University of California, Berkeley in 1939. An English major, she married her college sweetheart, Howard Janin, on July 18 of that year. The couple moved to Palo Alto in 1940 where Howard earned his MBA at Stanford.

The mother of two daughters, Barbara Janin Walton and Judith Janin Chambers, she volunteered in many capacities throughout their education in Palo Alto. She was active in the PTAs of several elementary schools and in the Girl Scouts of America. An avid gardener, she belonged to the Palo Alto Garden Club, eventually becoming its president. She also volunteered at the Allied Arts Guild in support of the Children's Hospital at Stanford, earning her 25-year service pin.

Both she and Howard were dedicated golfers and charter members of Sharon Heights Country Club. Active in the Women's 18-Hole Group, she served in many capacities, including captain, until her poor health prevented her from playing.

She is survived by her husband, daughters and six grandchildren. The family requests that any memorial donations be sent to the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, or to the donor's favorite charity.

Stephen Moreno

Stephen Edward Moreno, 56, a longtime resident of Menlo Park and Palo Alto, died Aug. 27.

The son of Charmien and Hal Moreno, he was born July 11, 1948. He graduated from Palo Alto High School and earned an associate of art's degree at Foothill College. He was employed during the past five years as a buyer for Medimmune Vaccines, Inc. in Mountain View.

He is survived by his father, Hal Moreno; his stepmother, Marion Moreno; a sister, Susan Hassitt; a sister-in-law, Susan Moreno; two stepbrothers, David and Tom Farrell; and a stepsister, Nancy Freitas. He was preceded in dead by his brother, David H. Moreno, and his mother, Charmien Moreno.

Services have been held.

Barbara Ord

Barbara White Ord, 63, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Aug. 29.

Born in Windsor, Vt., she trained as a nurse in Boston, Mass., and Montreal, and later as a radiology technician. She moved to Palo Alto to work at the Palo Alto Clinic. There she met her husband-to-be, Tom Ord, who worked as a psychiatrist at the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital for 30 years.

The mother of three children, she cared diligently and lovingly for her daughter, Lynn, who weighed 1 lb., 5 oz. at birth. Lynn lived until age 10. She also lost a beloved son, David, who passed away shortly after graduating from the University of Arizona.

Known as a homemaker and an expert in knitting, crocheting and other handcrafts, she became an active and passionate Democrat in the early '90s. She was a lead staff person at the Palo Alto/Mountain View Democratic headquarters for six elections and received commendation from the Santa Clara County Democratic Party for her dedication and service.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Tom Ord; a son, Tom Jr.; and two brothers, Dennis and Bennie White.

A memorial service was held in her honor.

Douglas Weber

Douglas M. Weber, 47, a former resident of Palo Alto, died of heart failure Aug. 20 while hiking in the Italian Alps.

Raised in Palo Alto while his father was director of University Libraries at Stanford University, he graduated from Gunn High School in 1975. After military service in Germany and working at Lockheed Space and Missile Division, he graduated from Santa Clara University and earned graduate degrees in philosophy from the universities of Notre Dame and Nebraska.

He taught philosophy at Creighton University and at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb.

His photography recently won him many awards. In 1984 he was a church missionary in a prison in Medellin, Columbia. He traveled with his father to Thailand, Nepal, Zimbabwe and Botswana, and was hiking with him in the region of Mt. Blanc at the time of his death.

He is survived by his parents, Natalie and David Weber of Corona del Mar, Calif.; brother, L. Jeff Weber of Glendale, Calif.; brother, Christopher Q. Weber of Fountain Valley, Calif.; and sister, Sarah N. Bell of Fresno.

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