Helen Story (Tori) Desmond Smith died at age 89 on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Walnut Creek, CA after a brief illness. Tori was born on October 22, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Humphrey Earl and Janet Johnston Desmond. She was one of seven children. Her father, Humphrey, was the editor of The Catholic Herald Tribune and her mother, Janet (Jay), was an accomplished coloratura soprano. The fami...

Robert J. Kragen (formerly Krygowski) of Lincoln, beloved husband of Sharon Kragen (nee Wade), passed away June 2 at the age of 85. Cherished son of the late John J. Krygowski and the late Stephanie R. Krygowski; admired father of four sons, Kevin, Greg, Jeff (Kathleen) and Mark (Rebecca) and their mother, Barbara Pelletier (nee Wilke); loving stepfather of Eric Slichter, Jennifer Ryther and the l...

Robert (Bob) Gardner, 81, passed away on May 30, 2025, in Fairfield, CA. He was born in Louisville, KY to Irma and Clifton Gardner, both deceased. He had an older brother, Roy, who is also deceased. Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joan Gardner; his three children, Robyn (Gardner) Frendberg, Gregory Gardner, and Todd Gardner; and his three grandchildren, Joshua Frendberg, Cole Gardner, ...

Theresa Kathleen Nogueira (Sterbenk) June 3, 1953 – May 21, 2025 Theresa Kathleen Nogueira, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Sunriver, Oregon. She was 71 years old. Her passing is a heartbreaking loss to everyone who knew and loved her. Born on June 3, 1953, in Oakland, California, Theresa was raise...

Martha Joan Maslana passed away Monday April 28 after a short and churlish scuffle with cancer. Blessed with the Irish gift of the gab, she told a great story and always got a laugh. Marty (“Mart” to her inner circle) was born in Syracuse, New York, the eldest of four daughters, to Mildred and Joseph Mathews. She spent her childhood having her hair braided so tight she lost all feeling i...

Eleanor “Ellie” Ruth Jacobson — cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend — passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, at the age of 90. Her beloved husband of 69 years, Roy Jacobson, and her adoring cat, Baby, were by her side. Eleanor was born on September 11, 1934, at Boston Lying-Inn Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, to Mattias Algot Sundberg and Ruth (Nystr...

In Loving Memory of Margaret “Peggy” Despotakis With deep sadness, we share the passing of Margaret “Peggy” Despotakis on April 21, 2025. Peggy was born Margaret Rosemary Alexander on January 13, 1936, in San Francisco, California. She is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 69 years, John, along with their six children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. ...

Dorothy was born and raised in Livermore. She worked for the Livermore School District for 25 years before retiring. She was the best wife, Mom, grandma and great grandma. She leaves behind her 3 sons Charles, Daniel, and Andrew. 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren....

Hall of Fame Drag racer Rich Guasco of Pleasanton, California passed away peacefully with his family by his side Monday April 14th. He was 88. Few racers brought more national attention to Northern California than Guasco. In a rodding and racing career that spanned seven decades, Guasco found his passion for fast cars as a post war teenager growing up in the family salvage yard in Tri-Valley re...

With heavy hearts and deep love, we announce the passing of our beloved Sue Ann Janas—a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished sister, treasured aunt, and adoring grandmother—who peacefully departed this life on April 13, 2025, surrounded by those who loved her most. Sue was a gentle soul with a fierce devotion to her family, her friends, and the natural world. Whether hiking through the wo...

Long-time Pleasanton resident Rosalyn Gamble, a woman dedicated to volunteering in her community and a committed Christian, went home to be with the Lord and in the arms of her husband on Apr. 10, 2025. She was 86. Roz was known for her giving nature and concern for family, friends and strangers alike. She was a member of GraceWay Church (formerly Pleasanton Presbyterian) for more than 50 years a...

Arlene Anne Bush, aged 89, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025 in Carson City, Nevada. She was born in Schenectady, New York, to Anna and Joseph Weiss on February 19, 1936. She was raised in upstate New York until her father took a transfer to Santa Clara, California during her senior year in high school. She graduated from Lincoln High School in San Jose and met her future husband, Robert ...

Stephen "Steve" Duncan Marvel, born on January 17, 1961, in Wilmington, DE, embarked on a life rich with music, enduring friendships, and a long marriage to his wife. Though known to most as Steve, his mother and sister lovingly called him Stephen. His musical journey began early, encouraged by a saxophone-playing stepfather, leading him to sing in a band by age 12 and explore various genres, prim...

Edward Patrick Shannon Jr., 84, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, in Pleasanton, California, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Jamestown, California, Edward lived a life defined by devotion—to his family, to his country, and to the simple joys that brought him happiness. He served honorably in the Air Force Reserve, reflecting a steadfast sense of duty and patriotism that remai...

Patsy DePiero, long time resident of Pleasanton, CA passed away March 29, 2025 at the age of 97. Patsy was born September 1927 in Bakersfield, CA to Hugh and Gussie Spears. Her early years were spent living on the California Grapevine helping to run the Grapevine hotel, store and gas station. After graduation from Bakersfield Union High School Patsy married Lyle Kerr, they had two children. Sh...

A Pleasanton resident for many years, Larry passed away peacefully on Friday March 28 while under hospice care at San Ramon Regional Medical Center. Larry was born on October 6, 1933, in Milford, Iowa. He graduated from Hartley High School in Hartley Iowa in 1952. He attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and then joined the U.S. Army where he served from 1952-1954. He was stationed in E...

Varsha Patel Clare, 72, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 28, 2025, in Pleasanton, California surrounded by her loving family. Varsha was diagnosed with leukemia in April of 2024 and battled the disease courageously until the end. Varsha was born and raised in Northern India and, throughout her schooling, she excelled in math and science. Encouraged by her parents to further foster t...