Virginia Lucille Fitton died peacefully on April 11, 2021, surrounded by her family. She had recently celebrated her 95th Birthday at a small, joyful event with family and friends. Her life was dedicated to learning how to love in every situation and unending gratitude for her meaningful journey. Virginia (Ginny) was born on April 6th, 1926 at San Francisco Children’s Hospital, the same hospi...

Laura J. Barton, age 78, of Mountain View, California, left us on April 3rd. Laura was born in Detroit, MI, on September 3rd, 1942. She graduated from Wilson High School, in Portland, Oregon, class of '60, then later continued her education receiving a BS in Business Management from the University of San Francisco in 1985. Laura was married to David Barton in 1962 with whom she had two sons,...

John C. Martin, former CEO of Gilead Sciences who helped develop the first once-a-day pill to treat HIV while at the helm of the company, died unexpectedly on March 30 after suffering head injuries from a fall the previous day. He was 69. Martin is believed to have fallen while walking near Coleridge Avenue and Bryant Street on March 29, said Franklin Johnson, founder of Asset Management Compan...

Cathy Frances Latterell, a Palo Alto, CA resident of 51 years, passed away at the age of 94 at her home from a lengthy illness on March 28, 2021. Cathy was born on June 30, 1926 at Mary's Help Hospital in San Francisco to Clark Matthew and Frances Ann Franklin. Cathy and her older brother, Dave, were raised in The City, Marin County and the San Joaquin Valley. Upon graduation from Madera Hig...

Chester (Chet) Frankenfield died peacefully on March 27, 2021, in Palo Alto at the age of 87. Born in Erwinna, Pennsylvania, a small rural community in Bucks County, Chet attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse for eight years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. After graduation he enlisted in the Navy and attended Officers Candidate ...

Robin Quist Gates, known as "Binnie" by family and friends, died peacefully at home in Woodside, California on March 21, 2021. She was 93 years old. Those who knew Binnie knew her humor, grace and generosity. She contributed widely and quietly to local universities, animal shelters, public museums and women’s health non-profits. She always kept an eye out for those in need including, most re...

Mar D. Balmonte, age 67, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2021. He had surgery in November that was successful but due to complications after surgery he developed debilitating conditions that prolonged his recovery and eventually thwarted any chance of recovery. He had fought hard. He will now be able to rest and no longer suffer. His wife, four daughters, and a son-in-law (who quickly visited)...

Dexter Dawes, a respected leader to local community institutions, successful investment and finance professional, and above all else, a man dedicated to his family, died peacefully on March 21 at age 84 from esophageal cancer in his Palo Alto home. A traditional and deeply ethical man, Dexter lived with authenticity, integrity and kindness. He was affable, unsentimental, inquisitive, a risk ta...

Kathleen Marshall Diekroeger (59), of Woodside, CA died peacefully at home of pancreatic cancer on March 19, 2021 surrounded by her family. Kathy, the daughter of Michael and Janet Marshall, was born in Norristown, PA in 1962. She grew up in Bensalem, PA and then Stow, MA. She attended Nashoba Regional High School and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1984 with a degree in Economics. At Dartmout...

William John Gardner of Portola Valley passed away peacefully surrounded by family. John born in Oakland to William John and Lois M. Gardner, grew up in Piedmont and attended Piedmont High School where he played basketball and maintained lifelong friendships with teammates and coach. John graduated from Stanford University in 1955 then served as a lieutenant in the Navy. He returned to Stanfo...

Janet McClure Lyman, a resident of Palo Alto for more than sixty years, passed away peacefully of natural causes at age 95 on March 18th, 2021, in Petaluma, California, where she had lived since 2018. Janet came to Palo Alto from the east coast. She was born on October 9th, 1925, to Thomas Harvey McClure and Ada Gibson McClure (neé Titus) and grew up in Pelham, New York with her older sister B...

Craig Laughton, longtime resident of College Terrace, passed away on Wed. March 17, a victim of brain cancer. Craig was born in Salinas, CA, and was raised in Soledad, CA. He attended Gonzales High School where he played baseball, basketball, and football, and went on to graduate as the valedictorian. After graduation he attended Stanford University and majored with a degree in Biology in 1972. ...

Gayle Lensing Rimerman, a long-time resident of Menlo Park and Calistoga, died peacefully on March 12, 2021. Gayle spent her life helping others, serving on Peninsula and Napa Valley community boards, organizing fundraisers, and volunteering. She was president of the Palo Alto Junior League from 1989-90 and a driving force behind Christmas in April. She brought whimsical playhouses to the Sta...

Howard “Skip” Hoyt July 16, 1928 – March 11, 2021 Skip Hoyt passed away peacefully at his home in Walnut Creek on March 11, 2021 at age 92. He is survived by his wife, Sue; brothers Bill and Larry; children, David Hoyt, Barbara Karlin, and Stephen Hoyt and their spouses; stepsons Michael, Matthew, Mark, and Mitchell McAlister and their spouses; thirteen grandchildren; and three great-gr...

Charles Stoneham Feeney Jr. lost his battle with cancer on March 11, 2021. He died with the love of his life, Ann Lamchick Feeney, at his side. He passed peacefully having the benefit of his daughters Emma and Allison able to share his spirit and strength as he moved out of this world. The son of Charles “Chub” Stoneham Feeney, Sr. and Margaret Ann Hoppock he was always known as Stoney. Bo...