PETALUMA, Calif. – Rick Andrew Melin passed away due to natural causes at his home in Petaluma on June 6, 2019.

He was born in San Francisco, California, on Jan. 29, 1955, to Jack and Joyce Melin.

The family moved in 1971 to Novato, where Rick and four younger siblings lived.

Rick went to school and became a professional painter. Rick then moved to Petaluma in 1985. Later in life he drove a taxi cab just like his father did when Rick was young.

Rick loved to ride his Harley Davidson mostly along the Sonoma and Marin backroads. He collected football and baseball cards, stamps and coins. He was also very proud of his old bottle collection and celebrity autographs. He loved all kinds of music, fishing and spending time with friends.

Rick was never married and never had children but was a proud loving uncle to a niece and two nephews.

Rick had a smile and twinkle in his eye that brightened the room. He will be missed by so many people including his closest friends Harley and Dixi K. and John D.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, father, two younger brothers and beloved niece.

He is survived by two younger sisters, Jackie and Nancy of Clearlake Oaks, and two nephews.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 21 July 2019

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Bette Antoinette Gillett of Riviera Heights, Kelseyville, California passed away at her home on June 16, 2019. She was 96 years old.

She was born in Yokohama, Japan, on Dec. 24, 1922, to US Navy Chief Yeoman John and Lydia Harshaw. She spent her younger years with her family living in China and the Philippines.

Later Bette, known as Toni by her family and friends, was raised in San Francisco and attended Lafayette Elementary, Presidio Junior High, George Washington High School and graduated from Academy of Presentation in 1941.

In 1937, she and her friends walked across the Golden Gate Bridge on its opening day. She also worked at the International Exposition on Treasure Island and for a short time at Pan-American Airways.

In 1941, she married the love of her life, 2nd Lieutenant Harry R. Gillett, US Army Air Corps and shared their lives together for 53 years.

As an Air Force wife for 25 years, Toni lived in many places across the US, including Japan and Norway. Raising three children at various Air Force bases became the routine. During this time, she loved playing tennis, traveling, volunteering and snow skiing with her family.

After Harry‘s retirement in 1964 as a colonel in the Air Force, Toni and Harry settled in Menlo Park, California, where she loved Bay Area living. She also enjoyed working with the Crippled Children’s organization of Palo Alto.

After the passing of her husband in 1994, 13 years later Toni moved to Kelseyville, California to be near her children.

Toni was our beautiful loving mother with a wonderful sense of humor, goodwill and loving nature! She will be in our hearts forever!

She is survived by her sister, Jeannette Mavor of Chico; her three children, Harry Gillett Jr., Richard ( son-in-law) and Judy Michaels of Kelseyville, and Linda Frechette of Colorado; her grandchildren, Cheryl Scovell of North Carolina, Jeff Michaels and wife, Victoria Johnson of Kelseyville and Jenny and Christie Frechette of Colorado; and three great-grandchildren, Amanda, Allison and Adam Scovell of North Carolina plus many cousins, nieces and nephews.

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: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 20 July 2019

Alicia Julia Guardado passed away on July 19, 2018, in San Francisco, California, after complications with various chronic medical conditions. Alicia was 41.

She is survived by her children, Victor Guzman and Adrianna Guardado; beloved pets, Bella, Jamal and Mistie; mother, Ada Fogal; and siblings, Laticia Guardado, Ada Guardado, Kenneth Guardado, Vanessa Guardado and Georgina Marie Guardado.

While she left this life nearly a year ago, an obituary was not written until just recently due to the shock of her sudden loss of life and the need for her family to process this loss.

Alicia was loved dearly and deeply by her friends, family and nursing colleagues. She was a graduate from the Mendocino College Nursing Program and worked as a Registered Nurse at the Adventist Health Clearlake Hospital, a position she worked so passionately for until she was no longer physically able to.

Alicia’s main lot in life was to provide for and support her children yet she also supported many children in the community by volunteering for the local 4-H program, and working for the Lake County Big Brother Big Sister program for many years, acting as a friend and mentor to many foster youth.

Alicia lived her life with a positive and free-spirited mentality, always ready to venture to new places, drive to Tahoe for snow, road trip to the beach, or enjoy time at home watching movies, sewing, reading and playing sudoku.

Alicia was a devoted and loving mother, her children being the main love and focus in life. As a mother she provided unconditional love, support and humor to her children. As a daughter, she provided love, honesty and sanctuary for her mother. As a sister, she was a best friend, a second mother, a role model and a critical figure of support no matter what the crisis or situation was. She was always there for her siblings without judgment and without any expectations of gaining anything in return.

Her home was a safe haven for many, whether family or friends or neighborhood animals who needed comfort and shelter. All who know Alicia can offer testament to how she always put the needs of others before her own. We who know her personally have and can learn to cherish this life, act with kindness, and live by her example, no matter the hardships nor illnesses we may experience. We share gratitude in being able to share this life with Alicia and will continue living on, with, and for her.

A memorial to celebrate her life is planned for Friday, July 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds Junior Building, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

The celebration will include a potluck and all friends, family, acquaintances and colleagues of Alicia’s are welcome.

Attendees are encouraged to bring flowers, photos, or keepsakes in honor of Alicia and to add to alters that will be created at the memorial.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 16 July 2019