Obituaries
Jose Caballero Lazo
Jan 8, 2024
On January 8, 2024, Jose Caballero Lazo passed peacefully at home in Watsonville, California. He was 90.
Jose was born on March 6, 1933, to his parents Eulalio Caballero Serna and Felipa Lazo Sanchez.
Jose was a man of many wonderful traits. He enjoyed collecting tools, he loved to invent things for himself. In his personal time he loved recording...
John Zamora
Jan 7, 2024
In loving memory of John Zamora (1952-2024), a native of Refugio, Texas and a resident of Watsonville, California. Born on September 14, 1952, he peacefully passed away on January 7, 2024. He was a loved father, husband, grandfather, uncle, friend and a diehard Dallas Cowboy fan,
He had a way of commanding attention without demanding it, leaving a lasting impression...
Kurt Ludvick Haveman
Jan 6, 2024
Kurt passed away peacefully from complications of Parkinson Disease with Kit, his wife of 50 years by his side. He was 87.
Kurt was born in Santa Monica, Ca., close to the ocean and the only child of Dorothy and Victor Haveman. He and his mother later moved to Long Beach, Ca. There he attended Wilson High School and graduated in...
Dennis Alan Carter
Jan 6, 2024
Dennis officially entered the world in Holdenville, Oklahoma when his mother returned to her hometown to give birth near her mother & family. He lived there for a full two weeks before returning to California for most of his life. He was the middle child of Homer Richmond & Rosa Lee Carter, raised in a family with his siblings: Charles,...
Henry Garcia
Jan 5, 2024
Henry Garcia, a lifelong resident of the Pájaro Valley, passed away Friday, January 5th, at the age of 83. He was surrounded by his many relatives and loved ones. He is survived by his children Martín, Xochitl, Gina, and his wife Maria Garcia. Henry was born in Pájaro, the son of Jacinto and Consuelo Garcia, Mexican immigrants from the state...
Brenda Carol Ukestad
Jan 4, 2024
Brenda Carol Ukestad passed away unexpectedly at home on January 4, 2024 at the very young age of just 59.
Brenda was born in Watsonville on December 12, 1964 to parents Rubye and Glenn Ukestad. She was known for her infectious beautiful smile. Brenda loved being outdoors and spending time with family and friends doing anything they wanted as long...
Oralia "Lala" Nieto
Dec 31, 2023
Oralia “Lala” Nieto (Lopez) passed away on December 31, 2023.
Lala was born on November 15, 1934 in Sonora Mexico to Francisco Lopez and Maria Lopez (Leal). She met and married her husband Adrian Nieto Sr. in Los Angeles and soon after welcomed their only son Adrian Jr. In 1975 the family moved to the Watsonville area. For over two decades...
Michelle Stacy Tanner
Dec 30, 2023
On the morning of December 30 Michelle Stacy Tanner was called home. Born October 2, 1966 to Cecil and Paula Tanner, Michelle was the eldest of three.
A native to Watsonville, she attended Mac Quiddy elementary school, Salsipuede school, and Cabrillo College. She also participated in special Olympics and various community Groups and organizations. Michelle was an avid animal...
Alfred Valenzuela
Dec 25, 2023
On December 25 2023 Alfred Valenzuela passed away peacefully. He was 86. Alfred was born on June 9th 1937 in Watsonville CA to his parents Jose and Natividad Valenzuela. He was the eldest of 4 brothers. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1955, and attended MPC in Monterey. Alfred was a business oriented man with a great sense...
Daniel Leroy Rocha
Dec 21, 2023
Daniel Leroy Rocha (77) passed away peacefully Thursday, December 21st, 2023 in Salinas, California.
Danny was born in Watsonville, California. He attended Watsonville High School. He worked on his family’s dairy and cattle ranch for over 20 years before working as a mechanic at the different Salinas garbage companies (Salinas Disposal Service (SDS)/USA Waste/Waste Management). Danny worked at those companies...
Diane Isabel Severin
Dec 20, 2023
Diane Isabel Severin was an extraordinary person. Brilliant and curious, with a quick wit and an impish smile, Diane was a woman of and for the ages - a teacher of lifeskills, a lifelong learner, athlete, and traveler. Born and raised in Gonzales, California, the fourth child of Frank and Pauline Lafranchi, Diane grew up in an era much different...
Harvey Thorpe
Dec 20, 2023
Harvey Thorpe passed away peacefully at home in Watsonville, Ca. on December 20, 2023. He was 79.
Harvey was born on September 12, 1944, in Watsonville, California to his parents Robert and Dorothy Thorpe.
Harvey was a hardworking man dedicated to his family. He graduated from Watsonville High School. He was a member of the Carpenters Union for over 30...
John "Jack" McGuire
Dec 9, 2023
John “Jack” McGuire died peacefully on December 9, 2023 in a VA hospital in Salinas, California at the age of 85.
John was born on April 28, 1938 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Arthur O McGuire and Mary E Faltinson. As a young boy he became a Boy Scout advancing through the ranks to Eagle Scout. He also earned the...
Maureen Ann Roach
Dec 1, 2023
Maureen A. Roach, age 83, passed into the arms of our Lord peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Dec. 1, 2023. Maureen’s deep faith and love of our Lord and Blessed Mother radiated from her as she went to Heaven.
Maureen “little beloved one” was born on May 11, 1940, to her loving and proud parents, Wilfred and Lillian...
Patricia Ann Tavera
Dec 1, 2023
On December 1, 2023, Patricia Ann Tavera passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was 64.
Patricia was devoted to her family and loved spending time with them. She was dedicated to helping others. She enjoyed watching TV. Patricia was a resident of Watsonville.
Patricia is survived by her children, Sara Beth, Ninfa and Annette, her sisters,...
Ana Maria Diaz Gutierrez
Nov 27, 2023
Ana Maria Diaz Gutierrez passed away on November 27, 2023, in Salinas, California. She was born on July 21, 1941, in Michoacan Mexico to her parents Felipe Diaz and Maria Eugenia Ezquivel. She is proceeded in death by her loving Husband Salvador Gutierrez Tapia.
Ana Maria was a loving mother to her 9 children: May, Elia, Chava, Lilia, Olga, Alejandro,...
Mary Ellen Ponce
Nov 24, 2023
On Sunday, November 24, 2023, Mary Ellen Ponce passed away.
Mary was a long-time resident of Watsonville. She loved making jewelry, traveling and thrift shopping. She will be missed and cherished by all that knew her.
She is survived by her siblings, Sandy and Marty Krieg and Jose Duran. Mary is also survived by Lillian and Jack Beard, Gayle Roche...
Debra Towne
Nov 18, 2023
Debra was a woman of many wonderful traits. She loved her family, the beach, cooking and enjoyed Hawaiian dancing. She loved helping anyone that needed her. She will be forever missed and cherished by all that knew her.
Ms. Towne was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Towne and her parents, Donald Pocock and Helen Pellicia. She was also...
Scott Corley
Nov 16, 2023
With heavy hearts we share with you the loss of our son, Scott. Son of Doug Corley and Barbara and Ron Yoakum; he was a 1987 graduate of Watsonville High where he quarterbacked the football team. Scott’s passion was football, his favorite team being the Green Bay Packers. He continued his education at Santa Clara University, graduating in 1991...
Cornelius "Father Scott" McCarthy
Nov 12, 2023
In Loving Memory of Reverend Cornelius “Father Scott” McCarthy.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Father Scott McCarthy, a devoted Catholic priest, renowned speaker, and passionate advocate for indigenous populations worldwide. Father Scott, born in London, England, in 1947 into a devout Catholic home to an Irish father and a Scottish mother (thus the nickname...
