Obituaries

May 6, 2018

(Mary) Martha Price was born November 10, 1926 in Cottonwood, Arizona to Christian and Mabel Sailer. She attended first through eighth grade in Clemenceau, Arizona. During her early years she enjoyed working on the Sailer chicken ranch. The family was active in their church and worked to reach their community with the Gospel. Martha's parents wanted their children to...

May 1, 2018

Leonardo Solorzano passed away on May 1st in Watsonville. He was 83. Leonardo was born on January 9th 1935 in Mexico to his proud parents Proto and Aldegunda Solorzano. He was family oriented man. He enjoyed reading and scratching lottery tickets whenever he had the chance. He was a sports enthusiast that loved watching soccer and baseball; he was...

Apr 23, 2018

Haruyo "Betty" Yagi died peacefully at home on April 23, 2018. She was born on March 13, 1924 in San Leandro, California. Betty graduated from Alameda High School in 1942. Because she was relocated during World War II, Betty attended Greeley State College. When she returned to Alameda after the war, she attended UC Berkeley where she earned a...

Apr 21, 2018

On April 21, 2018 Francisca Huerta Lujan Ontiveros peacefully passed away in Watsonville. She was 85. Francisca had a passion for dancing, fine clothes and stiletto heels. She made the finest Mexican food and stacks of homemade flour tortillas with butter. She always offered to take care of her grandkids. Francisca was a hard worker, holding several jobs at...

Apr 16, 2018

On Monday, April 16, 2018 Betty L. Curtis peacefully passed away surrounded by her family in Watsonville. She was 84. Betty graduated from Watsonville High School and Cabrillo College. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse for over 25 joyful years at Valley Convalescent Hospital. Betty will be forever missed and always cherished within our hearts. Betty is survived by...

Apr 9, 2018

On Monday, April 9, 2018 Maricela Margarita Gutierrez Romero unexpectedly passed away in Watsonville. She was 33. She was born on October 29, 1984 in El Salvador. Maricela loved Karaoke, dancing and making jewelry. She had a heart transplant and completed the medical assisting program at Cabrillo College. She also participated in many different "Donate for Life" Events. Maricela...

Apr 7, 2018

Tony Souza of Watsonville passed away on Saturday at the age of 81. He was born and raised in Watsonville where he graduated from St. Francis High School. As a young man, Tony was a truck driver for Louie Morosco in the mid 1950's hauling produce to the North Bay. He served in the U.S. Army for two years...

Apr 6, 2018

On Friday, April 6, 2018 Gabriel Gonzalez peacefully passed away surrounded by his family. He was 44. Gabriel was a native of Ranchos De Arriba Nayarit, Mexico. He loved the San Francisco 49ers, bbqing, spending time with his daughter, family and friends. Gabriel worked as a farm worker, a sales representative in car dealerships, real estate agent, business owner...

Apr 4, 2018

On Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Celia Alejo De Hipolito peacefully passed away surrounded by her family in Watsonville. Celia was devoted to her family and their happiness. She cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love and memory will be forever cherished and always held within our hearts. She was preceded in death by her...

Mar 26, 2018

Gordon Leroy Holley, better known as Lee Holley passed away suddenly on Monday March 26th, 2018 at the age of 85. Lee Holley was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 20, 1932. Lee was a graduate of Watsonville High School, and following high school, he joined the Navy in 1951. He served as an Aviation Ordinanceman on the USS...

Mar 22, 2018

On March 22 Rigoberto Madrigal passed away peacefully in Santa Cruz. He was 80 years old. Rigoberto was born on July 18, 1937 in Mexico. He migrated from Coalcoman, MichoacA�n in 1967 to Watsonville, CA where he began his career as a farm foreman with Mellody Ranch and soon after his family joined him. He was very respected by...

Mar 20, 2018

Mike was a California native living most of his life in Santa Cruz County. He had a lifelong passion for sports. He spent most of his younger years as an avid football player, earning several awards, such as Offensive Player of the Year from Aptos High School Varsity Football and All Conference Linebacker for Cabrillo College. All of this...

Mar 12, 2018

Maryann Pengelly passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on the afternoon of March 12, 2018. She was 85. She was born in Watsonville, California to Martin and Mary Sglav on August 12, 1932. Maryann attended Moreland Notre Dame Academy and Watsonville High School. She had a variety of jobs in her career which included stints at Valley National...

Feb 27, 2018

Herbert W. Chadwell passed peacefully into glory on February 27, 2018 at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his parents Dayton and Clara, sister Virginia, and brother Richard. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Gloria; daughters Karen (Wayne) Moses, Marilyn (Pat) Edwards, Joan (Fred) Wilkinson, Patty (Todd) Spellman and Janice Tibbs. He also leaves...

Feb 26, 2018

Eleanor Lehman Murphy was born on September 25, 1922 in Moss Landing, CA to William and Daisy Lehman. A lifelong California resident, she made Watsonville her home for over 70 years. She graduated from Watsonville High School in 1941 and married the love of her life, Walter Murphy, in October 1941. Eleanor enjoyed playing bridge, traveling and knitting. She...

Feb 25, 2018

Tony Carrillo died on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was 81. He was born in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 1937 to Camila Acosta and Tony Carrillo. He loved to restore cars but most of all he loved to spend time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Maria Reyes Carrillo; and children,...

Feb 24, 2018

On Saturday, February 24, 2018 Helen Jane Sanchez peacefully passed away surrounded by her family in Gilroy, CA. She was 95. Helen was a woman of many wonderful traits. Her life was devoted to her family and their happiness. She enjoyed baking, canning and making quilts, for which she received numerous awards. In her younger years she worked in...

Feb 23, 2018

On Friday, February 23, 2018 Jewell Funk peacefully passed away surrounded by her family in Watsonville. She was 95. Jewell was born on November 12, 1922 in Oklahoma and came to California during her high school years. She was a woman of many wonderful traits. She was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Watsonville and...

Feb 21, 2018

Ruth Minnie Kraus was born on September 9, 1925 on Long Island, New York to George and Grace Beckwith. Ruth married Joseph Kraus in 1947. During WWII, she sewed parachutes in the war effort. She was an electronics assembler in San Mateo for EIMAC, a division of VARIAN for 19 years and retired in 1976. Ruth made Watsonville her...

Feb 21, 2018

Arne M. Thirup, the former President of Pajaro Valley Greenhouses, Inc. died peacefully on February 21, 2018 at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family.

Arne was born and raised in Denmark, one of six children of a greenhouse operator. He was educated in the field of horticulture, came to the United States in 1953...