Obituaries
Diana Lynne Miller Cornell
Jan 2, 2026
Diana Lynne Miller Cornell passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at the age of 73.
Diana was born on July 25, 1953, to her parents Lloyd and Beverly Miller. A resident of Watsonville, California and married the love of her life, Gregory Breen Cornell.
Her hobbies included Disney-Mickey & Minnie Collections as well as a good game of playing Bridge with...
Rebecca Duran
Dec 29, 2025
Rebecca Duran, a beloved mother, grandmother, and devoted wife, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at the age of 88.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Rebecca made her home in Watsonville, California, where she lived for over six decades after settling there in 1964.
A full-time wife, mother, and grandmother, Rebecca dedicated her life to caring for her family. Her strength, kindness,...
Adolfo Lara Martinez
Dec 27, 2025
Adolfo Lara Martinez passed away at home surrounded by family in Watsonville, Ca on December 27, 2025.
He was born in El Jaral, Guanajuato, Mexico to his parents Benito Lara and Paula Martinez on April 30, 1949.
He came to the United States at the age of 16 and made Santa Cruz County his home in 1969. He dedicated his life to...
Rubye Mae
Dec 23, 2025
Rubye “Nana” Mae was born May 16, 1933, to Earl and Lois Bray in Houlka, a small town in Chickasaw County, Mississippi.
Rubye Mae passed away unexpectedly December 23, 2025. She’s reunited in heaven with Glenn Ukestad, Paul Riggs, and her daughter, Brenda Ukestad. Family was very important to her and she dedicated her life to being a mom and grandma....
Jesus Alvarez Zamora
Dec 20, 2025
Jesus Alvarez Zamora passed away in Salinas, Ca on Saturday, December 20th, 2025.
He was born in Michoacan, Mexico on June 4th, 1971, to his parents Uriel Alvarez and Josefina Zamora, but was a longtime resident of Watsonville, Ca where he would later raise his own family.
Jesus was a hardworking farmer by trade, who loved to spend time with his family...
Betty Jane Brown
Dec 19, 2025
Betty Jane Brown passed peacefully at her home in Boulder Creek on December 19, 2025.
Betty was born on April 21, 1935, in Aliceville, Alabama to her parents Leland Denter and Ruby Christine Gilliam. She moved to Watsonville with her family when she was 11 years old.
Betty was known best for her love of the Lord and served Him at Landmark...
Jason Kennedy Menefee
Dec 12, 2025
Jason Kennedy Menefee -- a devoted father and fiercely loyal friend tomany who worked extremely hard and played even harder while revelingin the biker/outlaw lifestyle -- has died after a bout with metastaticmelanoma.Jason passed peacefully on the morning of Dec. 12, 2025. His fiance,Hanna Hildebrand, took tireless, compassionate and loving care ofJason, and allowed him to pass exactly how he...
Evangelina Burgos de Marrujo
Dec 10, 2025
Evangelina Burgos de Marrujo passed away in Salinas on December 10, 2025.
She was born in El Ranchito de los Burgos in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico on December 3, 1952, to her parents Carlos and Leonor Burgos.
She moved to Los Angeles, Ca where she worked as a seamstress for a time before getting married to her husband Emilio Marrujo and moving to...
Daniel Thomas Avila
Dec 8, 2025
Daniel Thomas Avila passed away in Salinas, Ca on December 8, 2025.
Danny was born in Tracy, Ca on February 4, 1954, to his parents Thomas and Antonia Avila. He spent his youth in Watsonville, Ca and last resided in San Juan Batista with his own family.
Danny was a creative spirit who enjoyed playing the guitar, drawing, and painting. In his...
James Alan Corona
Dec 4, 2025
James Alan Corona passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 67.
He was born on December 12, 1957, to his parents Joaquin and Avalon Corona.
James loved music, puzzles, bowling, swimming, and the beach.
He is survived by his siblings Raymond and Katherine Corona, who will miss him dearly.
A Memorial Service will be held for James at Ave Maria Memorial...
Carla Schaper Reans
Nov 30, 2025
Carla Schaper Reans was born May 23, 1929 and entered into the arms of her loving savior Jesus Christ on November 30, 2025 at the age of 96.
Carla was the daughter of German immigrants Friedrich and Hertha Schaper, she was a lifelong resident of Watsonville. As a youth she was a member of the 4-H club and Rainbow girls. Carla...
Raúl Galaviz Cazarez
Nov 17, 2025
Raúl Galaviz Cazares, a beloved member of the Watsonville community and a proud native of Tampico, México, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, at the age of 80.
Born on September 24, 1945, to Cerna Cazarez and Raúl Galaviz, Raúl moved to Watsonville as a young man and spent most of his life here, building a warm circle of friends...
Javier Lizarde Herrera
Nov 16, 2025
Javier Lizarde Herrera passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, at the age of 72.
He was born on May 2, 1953, to his parents Eleno Lizardi and Simona Herrera. A native of Huanusco, Zacatecas, Mexico and a resident of Watsonville, California. He married the love of his life, Liduvina Lizarde.
Javier was an amazing father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a...
Roberta "Pickles" Tapiz
Nov 13, 2025
On November 13, 2025, Roberta “Pickles” Tapiz passed away at home surrounded by her family. She was 69.
Roberta was born on December 17, 1955, in Watsonville, California to her parents, Joseph and Isabel Tapiz.
Roberta was a dedicated and loving grandmother to Leelu, Logan and Nova. She worked at Mintie White Elementary for 30 years. She loved sports and enjoyed watching...
Rafael Castorena Gallegos
Nov 9, 2025
Rafael Castorena Gallegos passed away on November 9, 2025 at the age of 72.
He was born on August 27, 1953 to his parents J. Guadalupe Castorena and Maria Teresa Gallegos. He was a native of Loreto, Zacatecas and married his loving wife, Rosa Maria Castorena.
Rafael was a Roofer for more than 30 years and was a dedicated handyman. He came...
Alicia Hernandez
Nov 8, 2025
Alicia Hernandez passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on November 8, 2025, at the age of 61.
Alicia was born on October 8, 1964, to her parents Eliazar Doran (mom) and Jose Sepulveda (father). She was a resident of Watsonville, California and widower of Eriberto Hernandez. She loved getting dolled up and switching up her style frequently. She loved...
Linda Ann Brown
Nov 8, 2025
The Brown family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of their beloved matriarch, Linda Brown, on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Linda Ann Cooper was born in Roseburg Oregon on March 5, 1949. As a young woman, she moved to Watsonville, California. She graduated from Watsonville high school in 1967. Later she worked for Pajaro Dunes, where she met and married...
Arthur John MacNeel
Nov 2, 2025
Arthur John MacNeel passed away peacefully at home Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Arthur was born October 11, 1954 in Laramie, Wyoming to his parents Neale and Beverly MacNeel. He spent time working in organic farming before becoming a Registered Nurse in 1986. He worked at Dominican Hospital in Soquel for 34 years before retiring in 2020. He was a kind soul...
Jose Arriaga Ambriz
Nov 1, 2025
Jose Arriaga Ambriz passed away on November 1, 2025, in Watsonville, California at the age of 88 years old.
He was born on September 28, 1937, in Texas, but was a resident of Santa Cruz County for 60 years.
Jose enjoyed watching old Westerns on TV, attending the Elderday Program, and loved visiting with friends and relatives.
He is preceded in death by...
John "Gene" Eugene Rocha
Oct 31, 2025
John Eugene “Gene” Rocha passed away on October 31, 2025, at the age of 83.
Gene was born on November 14, 1941, to his parents John Rocha Jr. and Violet Rocha. He was reared with his three brothers; Jerry, Dan and Gary on their family dairy, west of Watsonville, where they all worked daily with ranch chores and milked cows. Gene...
