September 21, 2005

Back to the table of Contents Page

Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

Deaths

College trustee Leiderman dies

by Molly Tanenbaum

Foothill-De Anza Community College trustee Andrea Leiderman, a community activist and Mountain View resident, died Sunday at her home after a long battle with colon cancer. She was 46.

"I have lost a very dear friend, and the community has lost a dedicated servant," said trustee Hal Plotkin. "Her life was cut far too short."

Through rounds of chemotherapy over 15 months, Leiderman battled the colon cancer that metastasized in her body, while continuing to be involved on the board.

"She fought until the very end and pushed herself to serve," said Paul Fong, fellow trustee and close friend.

Her longtime involvement in local politics led her to meet her husband, Hayes Alexander, and Fong, who recruited her to join him on the board in 2002.

"I couldn't think of a better person to recruit for the appointment," Fong said. "Her commitment to the underserved and the students was unparalleled."

Her parents, Drs. Herbert and Gloria Liederman of Stanford, said that she was always surrounded by friends and attracted many people wherever she went. She had a passion for women's rights and a dedicated, energetic, hard-working nature.

"When she started something, she had to finish it. That's why she survived her illness for so long, because she was so tough about it," her father said.

She had been serving as director of government and community relations for Kaiser Permanente's South Bay service area and was instrumental in the opening of the new Santa Clara hospital, Dr. Liederman said.

Born in Boston, Mass. in 1959, she moved with her family to Palo Alto in 1963. A Gunn High School graduate, she became politically active while studying at Vassar College and worked for several congressmen in Washington after graduation.

Later, she received two master's degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, in public policy and educational administration.

Her extensive community involvement included serving several terms on the Santa Clara County Board of Education, on the boards of the Mission City Community Fund, San Jose Chamber of Commerce Local Issues Advocacy Committee and the College of San Mateo President's Council on Advancement. She also served as chair of the Working Council of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

Previously, she taught at Evergreen Valley College, served as senior council assistant and chief of staff to San Jose City Councilman Jim Beall, and was a research analyst for the Santa Clara County Office of Education's Center for Educational Planning.

She is survived by her husband, Hayes Alexander of Mountain View; her parents; brother Dr. Joshua Liederman of Montreal, Canada; sisters Erica Liederman-Rex of New York City; and Dr. Deborah Liederman of McLean, Virginia; brother-in-law Virgil Frizzell; and nieces Sarah and Abigail Frizzell of McLean, Va.

Her family has established the Andrea Naomi Leiderman Fellowship Fund for Stanford University undergraduates to support services and research with underserved Bay Area youth. Contributions may be directed to the Stanford University Development Office, Gifts Processing, 326 Galvez St., Stanford, CA 94305.

A memorial service will be held later this fall.

Belinda Cady

Belinda Cady, 91, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Aug. 31 in Los Gatos.

She was born in Hilo, Hawaii, and lived there until the age of 12. She had to quit school at the age of 10 to work in the sugar cane plantations to help support her younger siblings. She had five sisters and one brother.

At the age of 12 she moved to Palo Alto, where she lived most of her life. She worked as a tester at Farnsworth Electronics until her retirement at the age of 65. She then helped care for her two grandsons, Ray and Aaron. She was a loving grandmother and an active participant in the lives of her grandsons. She attended their many little league games and other sports events at Palo Alto High School. A strong, spirited woman, she was full of life and laughter and was always there to help anyone in need. She is loved by many and will be missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Michele Wilson of Palo Alto; her son, Clinton Cady of Nampa, Idaho; four grandchildren and two nieces.

John Garibaldi

John Arthur Garibaldi, 90, a 60-year resident of Menlo Park, died Sept. 8 at Stanford Hospital after a short illness.

He was born Sept. 16, 1914, in San Francisco.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Diane; his sisters, Lida Del Sarto and Lillian Duzanica of Menlo Park; his sons, John of Napa and David of Menlo Park; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service has been held. Internment was held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief.

Professor William Lyell

Professor William A. (Bill) Lyell, 75, a Stanford University Emeritus associate professor of Chinese Language and Literature, died Aug. 28 of complications from cancer of the esophagus.

He was born in 1930 in Rahway, N.J., to Mary, an Irish immigrant, and William Lyell, who was proud of his American Revolution ancestry.

He was a graduate of Rollins College of Florida and had earned his master's and PhD degrees in Chinese studies from the University of Chicago. He realized how much he enjoyed Chinese culture and speaking Chinese and enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Chicago. He was awarded a fellowship to study Chinese philosophy and Chinese writing in Taiwan over three years.

On his return to the University of Chicago he met and married Ruth Granetz, a graduate student at the University of Chicago in Comparative Human Development. At the time of his death he had been married to Ruth for 44 years. He was an avid reader, and he enjoyed discussing books with his wife.

He taught at Chicago Teachers' College and Ohio State University before 1972 when he started teaching Chinese language and literature at Stanford. He wrote or translated six books. Several of his books pertained to two major twentieth century Chinese authors: Lu Hsun and Lao She. He was a visiting professor of Chinese Literature at Beijing University in 1987.

He loved to teach just as much as he loved to learn. He also enjoyed aviation. He owned an airplane that he based at Palo Alto airport for 15 years. He frequently took visiting faculty and his students on flights over the Bay Area and Half Moon Bay.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughters, Miriam, and her husband, John Boisa, and Deirdre, and her husband, Max Schireson; his son, Sean, and his wife, Heather Hansen; his sister, Mary Anne Elliott; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Sept. 15. Those who wish to make a donation in the name of William Lyell may do so to Pets in Need, 873 5th Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063; or to Hillel at Stanford, P.O. Box 20526, Stanford, CA 94309.

Scott Pecota

Scott Thomas Pecota, 53, a resident of Palo Alto, died Aug. 28.

Born Dec. 29, 1951, in San Francisco, he was the youngest son of Paul and Betty Pecota. A lifetime resident of the Bay Area, he attended Burlingame High School. He played football and helped win the league championship in his senior year. He played offensive guard and defensive end and made all league in both positions.

He was named the North Peninsula Linesman of the Year and received a full athletic scholarship to Idaho State University. He missed the Bay Area and moved back to San Francisco where he attended San Francisco State University.

He is survived by two daughters, Jessica Pecota and Rachael Pecota; his mother, Betty Pecota; his brother, Jeff Pecota; and his loving friend, Jennifer Pecota.

Robert Smith

Robert Willard Smith, 88, a former employee of the Stanford Research Institute, died Aug. 18.

He worked for the Stanford Research Institute from 1949 to 1980 as European director. He worked in Switzerland, where he was instrumental in the founding of the American International School of Zurich. He received his bachelor's degree from U.C. Berkeley and his MBA from Stanford in 1941.

He enjoyed traveling to new places and working with different cultures. When not working, he relaxed with his family at their cabin in West Point, Calif.

He is survived by his son, Creighton, and daughter-in-law, Lynn, of Bakersfield; son, Kirk, and daughter-in-law, Yvonne, of Folsom, Calif.; stepson, Robert Agramonte, and stepdaughter-in-law, Jessica, of Half Moon Bay, Calif.; stepdaughter, Sue Rynerson, and stepson-in-law, Robert, of San Diego, Calif.; stepdaughter, Joan Domiter, of San Diego, Calif.; and 12 grandchildren.

Larry Stevenson

Larry D. Stevenson, 54, an employee of the Department of Veteran's Affairs, died suddenly Sept. 1 while visiting family in Texas.

He was born May 31, 1951, in El Paso, Texas, and was raised in the Texas panhandle. He moved to the Bay Area five years ago.

He was a graduate of Texas Tech University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He was a hard worker, passing all his boards the first time and becoming a professional engineer in Texas in 1991.

He had a 19-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, Texas, and Palo Alto, Calif. He was selected Engineer of the Year for all federal agencies three times. He was also awarded the honor of Energy Engineer of the Year, and was considered a pioneer in energy conservation for both the government and private sectors.

He created a gas pipeline in conjunction with Texas Utilities for the VA North Texas Health Care System, which resulted in millions of dollars in cost savings to the government. For this particular work he received the prestigious Scissors Award from the then vice-president Al Gore in Washington D.C.

A master fly fisherman, he shared his hobby with his wife. Together they fished lakes and streams in Broken Bow, Okla.; Eagle's Nest, N.M.; and many spots in the Sierras. He was a gourmet cook and loved to do Texas-style barbeque.

He loved his family, especially his three stepchildren, who he considered as his own, and also his nieces and nephews. He was an animal lover and was especially fond of his pet dog, Mr. Jinkles (PJ).

He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and stepdaughter, Emily Leach, both of Palo Alto; his stepsons, Philip J. and Daniel P. Leach of Houston, Texas; brother- and sister-in-law, Norma and Steve Henthorn; brother, Tommy Stevenson; and many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service has been held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Memorial Tribute in the name of Larry Stevenson, Community Working Group, 555 Bryant St., Box 321, Palo Alto, CA 94310.

Maribeth Zimmerman

Maribeth Zimmerman, 56, a longtime former resident of Palo Alto, died Sept. 8 at her home in Rock Falls, Ill., surrounded by her family as they sang her favorite hymns.

She was an elementary teacher for Christian schools in California and later tutored children with special needs. She was a member of Berean Baptist Church in Rock Falls, Ill.

She was raised in Palo Alto, the daughter of John and Mary Alexander. She was a 1967 graduate of Palo Alto High School and earned her elementary teaching credential at San Jose State University.

She is survived by her husband, David Lee Zimmerman; daughters, Sarah (Andy) Pearson and Hannah Zimmerman of Rock Falls, Ill.; sister, Janet Alexander of Aptos, Calif.; brother, John (Cheryl) Alexander of Vancouver, B.C., Canada; brother, Geoffrey (Judy) Alexander of Soquel, Calif.; brother, Michael (Cindy) Alexander of Palo Alto; brother, Richard (Pam) Alexander of South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held in Illinois.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.