Obits
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- Written by: Editor
“Live, Laugh, Love” was the way 20-year-old Jessica Michelle Davison approached each day. Jessie’s love and compassion for others was evident to those who knew her. Jessie always gave her best when helping others.
She grew up in Nice attending Upper Lake Elementary School until she was in the third grade, when she moved with her family to Santa Cruz County.
Jessie always played recreational sports as a child and continued on into the high school and college level. She was a four-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball, softball and water polo for San Lorenzo Valley High School, continuing on to Bethany University to play softball and study for her career as a teacher. Jessie also played summer traveling softball with the Mountain Dream Team, Tremblers, Crushers, Santa Cruz Surf and the San Jose Strikers.
As a young child Jessie knew that she wanted to be a teacher for elementary students and children with learning disabilities. Children gravitated to Jessie; kids were always following her, hanging all over her like little monkeys. Unlike most, Jessie was a special person who had it all figured out. She was ambitious, driven and focused on being a teacher.
Jessie moved from Bethany University to Cabrillo Junior College to save money as she took her general education courses with plans to transfer back to Bethany University to complete her education. She was a tutor for elementary students, child care giver and always worked part-time as she studied for her teaching degree.
Jessie was always looking to help other people anyway she could. Her gentle spirit was always care giving. She worked at Sunshine Villa caring of the elderly, tutored elementary students, was part of the conflict resolution team, refereed for recreational sports, coached softball for younger girls and babysat. Jessie was currently looking into being a volunteer at the crisis center in Santa Cruz.
She had many jobs in her short life; during high school she was a day care helper for April Beltz and babysat in the neighborhood. Jessie worked in Scotts Valley at Jamba Juice, AT&T, Boulder Creek County Club and lastly at Beverly Fabrics in Capitola. She always knew how to make people laugh and brighten any situation with her beautiful smile.
Jessie was a very religious young women attending churches including St. Michael's, Santa Cruz Bible, Twin Lakes Church and Bethany Chapel.
Jessie was suddenly taken from us on Oct. 25 in a freak car accident. There was no foul play, she was not drinking, she was wearing her seat belt and was not speeding. Jessie went to school in the morning, worked in the afternoon, came home for a couple of hours and went out to meet a friend. She had a very long day and fell asleep at the wheel at about 2:10 a.m., less than a mile from her home.
She is survived by mother Dawn Peterson; brothers Jeffrey Pittman and Josh Davison; sisters Sherry and Melissa Davison; cousins Nick Thompson, Jeri Spehar and Chris Davison; aunts Barbara Thompson and Pam Spehar; uncles Bruce Spehar and Ronnie Davison; aunt Debbie and uncle Pete Jonas; and many other family members.
April Beltz of Ben Lomond will be hosting a memorial gathering for people in the community on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m. Please park at the Red Mormon Church on Love Creek Road in Ben Lomond. San Lorenzo Valley Coach Lowe has opened "Jessie’s Memorial Fund "at Liberty Bank in Boulder Creek.
Family services will be held at Los Gatos Memorial Park in Los Gatos on Friday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.
Jessie accomplished so much in her short life, she will always be our angel watching over us. Her big heart, and loving and nurturing spirit touched many and will be missed by all.
We love you, Jessie.
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- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE OAKS – A private celebration in memory of Rev. Ruth Canady was held Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church.
On Sunday evening, Aug. 10, Pastor Ruth had difficulty breathing and was transported to Sutter Santa Rosa the next day. A biopsy of her left lung was performed and due to this procedure and her weakened state, she did not recover. At this writing the cause of her severely damaged lungs have not been determined.
Pastor Ruth’s husband Rev. William Thornton passed away in April 2005, leaving her to carry the torch of dreams for the Clearlake Oaks Church and the community’s integrity. Now it is up to the congregation and the community to keep that torch burning and realize their dream.
She is survived by her children: Charlene Stearns, Cheryl Carzoli, Diana O’Hara, Michael Thornton and Cherri Campbell; her grandchildren: Nathan Dukes, Kelsey Carzoli, Lexi Carzoli, Shannon O’Hara, Jan Bumgarner, Lindsey Campbell, and Kevin and Casey McCormick; and her great-grandchildren, Casey Clarke, Madison Bumgarner and Wyatt Dukes.
The memorable celebration was officiated by Rev. Paula Bishop Paciecha and Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser; music by Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser and Jim Coombs.
A special thank you to Rev. Paula Bishop Paciencha, minister of Congregational Care for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Northern California-Nevada and to Rev. Shannon Kimbal-Auth with the Methodist Church of Lakeport-UCP, who provided the crucial information to contact pertinent parties involved; and to all who prayed and helped put this celebration together so quickly and with great love.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Thornton-Canady Youth and Community Center c/o Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 962, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423, telephone 707-998-9435.
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
Kenneth Alvin Wickersham of Homewood, Calif., died peacefully in his sleep on June 22, 2008. He was 83 years old.
He was born son of William and Margie Wickersham on August 18, 1924 in Springfield, Mo. He grew up in Hastings, Neb. from early childhood through young adulthood. He attended Platte Valley Academy in Shelton, Neb. for four years, where he met his sweetheart and future wife.
He proudly served his country in the military for three years at the end of World War II. Upon returning home from Europe in 1946, he married his sweetheart and they started a family.
In 1951 they moved to Houston, Texas where he took up auto body repair and then plumbing as trades to support his family. In 1958 he moved his family to California and returned to college where he and his wife, as young parents, completed their college education and began their professional careers.
He completed his master's degree at Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., and remained an educator for the remainder of his career, for his beloved church, the Seventh-Day Adventists.
Upon retiring he designed and built his own dream home, on the shores of Lake Tahoe, where he actively lived out the remainder of his life.
He was predeceased by his father, his mother and his brother.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Natalie; his daughter, Jeanette of Clear Lake; and his son, Ron of Napa.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, for he was a gentle spirit and a giving person who never hesitated to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors. He now rests in the loving arms of our Savior and Beloved Master, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Memorial services were held at the Heavenly Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Interment and a military graveside service were held at the Lower Lake Cemetery in Lower Lake, Calif. on Friday, June 27, 2008.
Arrangements in care of Truckee-Tahoe Mortuary and Crematory.
Published Friday, July 4, 2008.
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