NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Katherine Simpson, known to all of her friends as “Dollie,” passed away peacefully on Sept. 19, 2020, in San Francisco after experiencing a stroke the previous week, just short of her 92nd birthday.

She was born on Oct. 27, 1928, in Denison, Texas, to Sidney Green and Cecil Malone.

While her parents were attempting to make a living during the Great Depression, she and her sister Naomi were raised by her loving grandparents, Amos and Naomi Malone.

Living in Texas until she was 12, she developed a love of farming and animals, which she has carried throughout her life.

In 1940, her parents decided to start a new life together in San Francisco and moved the family to the Inner Sunset where she met her lifelong friends, Gloria and Margie, and was introduced to spending wonderful summers in Lake County with Margie’s family.

Attending Lowell High School for two years and eventually graduating from Presentation High School in 1946, she completed her education at Lone Mountain College and San Francisco State University as an English Major.

Marrying Robert Fitzpatrick in 1950, she worked as an executive assistant for Bigge Drayage Co. in Oakland, her experience eventually leading her to invest in small rental properties where she gained a vast knowledge of the construction and remodeling business.

In 1964, she married her much-loved Charlie Simpson (predeceased in 1996), a general contractor, and the two continued a career of remodeling and investing in small properties throughout San Francisco and Oakland.

In the mid 1970s, Lake County came calling, and Charlie and Dollie began a grape-growing adventure in Upper Lake.

Growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc grapes became their new hobby, and every weekend was spent in Upper Lake working in the fields and maintaining their 30 acres, each year anticipating the excitement of a good grape harvest for Konocti Winery.

She and Charlie spent many years together enjoying their good friends, outdoor dinners with fresh garden tomatoes and zucchini squash, 4 o’clock cocktails, and cotillion club dances in Lake County, drinking lots of homemade wine along the way.

Always loving the peaceful environment of Lake County, Dollie lived between San Francisco and Upper Lake in her later years, watching her grapevines grow and enjoying her many cats in the Lake County summer sun.

Dollie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia in 2009, and her final years were spent living at Coventry Place in San Francisco, where she was wonderfully looked after in comfort by thoughtful caregivers. Thank you also to Healthlink Hospice Care for making her final months very comfortable and peaceful.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Megan, and wonderful son-in-law, Michael; her caring nephews, Jim and Dan Mariner, along with their families Trisha, Cody, Jordan, Ashley, Nick and Lauren; and her big, old, friendly cat, Mr. Whiskers.

We will miss her very much.

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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 23 October 2020

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Born July 19, 1957, Carlos unexpectedly passed away Oct. 12, 2020, surrounded by his family.

Carlos moved to Kelseyville, California, in 1979 from Tala, Jalisco. He opened his own landscaping business, volunteered as a Kelseyville firefighter, worked every day from sunup ‘til sundown on his property until his last breath.

Carlos is survived by his wife of 36 years, Maria; sons and grandkids, Octavio Martinez (Latasha Hasegawa), Kalaya, Octavio, Makenzee, La’Akea, Sonny, Victor and Jaydyn, Dasan Vazquez (Cheresse Hadley), Na’leah; daughters, Mikaley Monlo (Skins/Cueritos) Azalia, Milania, Zavani, Lupy & Kaiwinabax Monlo; brothers, Armando, Bartolo; sisters, Sylvia, Luz and Marta; and many nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 22 October 2020

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sept. 19, 2020, will be forever a day of remembrance for the Norton family. On this day, sadly John J. Norton III passed peacefully in his sleep due to the medical issues he had so bravely fought off the last few years, and the sadness of losing his son John J Norton IV on Sept. 11, 2020.

His loved ones left to carry on his memory are Lorrie, beloved spouse of 26 unforgettable years; beloved sister, Susan Comtois; brother, Paul Norton; John’s other son, Ryan Villanueva, and daughter, Tammy Villanueva; and his five treasured grandchildren, Kyleigh, Lana, Jayden, Jordon and Jack.

John J Norton III was a loving husband, father, brother and son. He was his sibling’s fiercest protector as a young man.

He has now found peace and is free of all the earthly problems. He will be forever missed, more than words can say.

A celebration of life will be held later when family and friends can rejoice together.

Compassion and care entrusted to Jones Mortuary FD311, telephone, 707-263-5389, www.jonesmortuarylakeport.com / www.facebook.com/jonesmortuarylakeport.

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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 18 October 2020