Christy Pells passed into the kingdom of heaven, to the room that Jesus has prepared for her in His Father’s house a little after midnight on May 9 after what seems a whirlwind battle with cancer that began in February, 2012 … She was 56.

Born in 1955, Christina Anne Williams to Ralph B Williams and Marjorie (Stalker) Williams in Poughkeepsie New York. She is a U.S. Marine Corps wife who raised our son and managed our household alone all too often as my duties took me away – including to both the exotic Cuba and the land of the morning calm, Korea.

Though she studied nursing and became an LPN, she spent her life chasing me, her Marine husband, around the world including honeymooning in Cyprus; our first anniversary in Monterey, Calif.; giving us William (our Sasquatch and much beloved son) in Scotland and, of course, a little time on the beaches of Hawaii before we settled in northern California, first in the Napa Valley and then Clearlake.

Professionally, she turned to serving others through the banking and financial industry – ultimately building and running her own book keeping service for a time before devoting herself full time to her passion for helping others through her advocacy work, dog and horse adoption and a huge heart that rarely accepted no for an answer.

Personally, her proudest accomplishments – which always brought the most joy to her days and the biggest smiles to her face – is really all about two people: her baby boy Willy – who stood tall and ignored his own pain to help me get through this from day one; and his daughter, Christy’s oh-so-precious grand-baby, Sydney – to whom Christy is “Nana,” as she was too young to be grandma – and who displayed grace and courage far beyond her 10 years, helping tend to her fading Nana and giving her Papa many spontaneous hugs when I need them the most.

Both, like her husband – Garry – already miss her profoundly … like the air we breath and the water we drink …

She is also loved and missed by her sister Diana,  who arrived in time to see her off and remained to help me through the toughest days; as well as her mom, her Aunt Kay and Cousin Lance, who drove from Reno and joined us at Christy’s side; her Aunt Bet and Uncle Richard and many more.

And my family, especially my sister Patti whose help at Christy’s bedside was immeasurable when Christy and I needed her the most … and continues today as well as my Aunt Jo whose wise counsel, love and support has meant more to me than she knows.

Christy is also loved and missed by her non-traditional family that includes:

“Will’s boys” – our son’s many friends who, from their teen years to today, always knew she’d make sure they were very well fed and taken care of – and sometimes even before she’d get on them about this and that, keeping them on the straight path, at least as she saw it; Brian and Andy from the past, Steve and Skyler today.

Our dear friend Carl, in whom Christy’s passion for tide pools, hummingbirds and advocacy blossomed.

Her many Clearlake friends including Sue and Rusty and Tammy.

And, of course, her adopted golden boy, Roscoe; her baby girl, Jazzie; her cats, Layla and Garfield; and her beloved horses, Jewel, Rebel and O’Teaka. All were adopted, most with special needs and each and every one finding a special place in Christy’s heart.

Her love and passion was always for helping others; her plate always overflowing with errands and tasks, mostly for others and, only when and if she had time, for herself.  We could depend on her to be late for everything because she never had enough time to complete her days work for others – though that would not deter her from adding one more thing for someone else as the need arose.

Only through the grace of a loving and merciful God and with the blessing of very special friends, our son Will and I saw her from the hospital to her home where she spent her last hours – away from the tubes and needles and pain and into the embrace of her family and friends, many of her beloved pets and a loving God.

She slipped peacefully away, made her last inspection tour of the house and joined her dad, Uncle Thomas and friend Bobby in heaven.

God is good, all the time, no matter what.

Very special thanks to fellow Marines Chris (w/out whom I don’t know what I would have done) and Kevin (there when I needed an ear… or a shoulder…) I love you both.

As per her wishes, we are planning a celebration of Christy’s life in an informal gathering on the southeast shore of Clearlake in Austin Park at 7 p.m. Friday, May 11.

Final arrangements are pending confirmation though she’ll be pissed if they do NOT include good food and much laughter.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Kelseyville Fire Department in Kelseyville, Calif., or to your local fire department or to support cancer research. I got the feeling that what was so special to me was part of Kelseyville Fire Department’s normal tour of duty – and probably is for yours as well.

Janis Entler Paris died following a two-year battle with cancer on Sunday, April 29.

Janis was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. She survived and escaped a troubled family, and made a life that anyone would be proud of.

A star student in high school, she found her way in to college by entering and winning the Miss Scott County pageant, which came with a scholarship. She eventually earned two master of arts degrees, in psychology and theater arts.

She lived for nearly 10 years in French Canada and taught high school while there. When she returned to the U.S. she settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she became a top book editor and project manager.

Janis made herself a master of PhotoShop, and was able to restore many old and damaged photographs that few would have been able to work with.

She became a political activist, helping to organize opposition to the Iraq war from its beginning in early 2003.

She contributed in many ways — with her ideas, her artistic ability, and sheer shoe leather and sweat — to local political issues, and helped make Lake County a better place to live. She was resolutely, and not always conveniently, committed to honesty and justice.

But her true passion was music. All the way back to her teenage years she fronted a band, and over the years she became an accomplished songwriter, singer, and bandleader.

There were many people who saw this beautiful, petite woman and were then astonished at the big voice and raw blues power that she delivered.

She completed one album with her band Paris and Frindt and Friends, and had material ready to begin work on a second album when illness forced to put the project on hold.

She leaves her husband Paul Frindt, her beloved stepdaughter Brittany Skrzypek, two sisters in Iowa, and many, many friends who will miss her very much.

To quote the song she often used to close shows, “There’s a hole in the world tonight.”

There will be an informal get together of friends to mark her life and passing at her house at 1946 New Long Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, on Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. Light food will be provided. Please bring only your memories and thoughts to share.

Howard William Wentworth, born April 20, 1928, in San Bernardino, Calif., died of natural causes on April 12, 2012.

He was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grand father, and good friend and companion.

He is survived by his children, Carol Wentworth of San Bernardino; George Wentworth of El Dorado; Lisa Wentworth of Lenoir, NC; Christa Wentworth of Southern California; and Cathi Foulds of Highland, Calif.

He has left his mark on those he leaves behind. Whether friend or foe, you knew where Howard stood, he understood that to deal with others in life, you had to agree to disagree. His honesty and integrity were his gifts to us all.

Preceded in death by longtime companion Shirley Holmes, he leaves for us to enjoy the friendship of his fiancé Carolyn Luiz of Clearlake.

A veteran of the Korean War, Howard worked in building management for banking institutions in the Sacramento area before retiring to Lake County where he built his home in the Clearlake Oaks’ Keys.  

From wood working to boating, volunteering to raise monies for his church, Howard sensed the necessity, for all, to pay it forward.  

Family and friends will say their “goodbyes” to Howard on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Clearlake Oaks Community-United Methodist Church. Reception to follow.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to CLO-UMC, P.O.B 962, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423.

Jessica Colleen Knight Thompson was born in Lake County, Calif., and moved to St. Louis, Missouri with her family when she was in third grade where she met her best friend Barbara Tucker and her husband Bernard “Buck” Thompson. Nothing was more important to her than her family and friends.

Jessica loved music, and she loved to go dancing. She mixed with the best of them in St. Louis in the 1960s … James Brown, Tina and Ike Turner, Bobby “Blues Boy” Bland at Club Imperial.

However, her most prized accomplishment was giving birth to her daughter Twaya Tyleen Thompson.
Jessica was also a proud to be a member of Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.

She is survived by husband, Bernard; daughter, Twaya; mother, Charline Knight; sisterm Lydia Knight O’Riordan; brothers, Bradford Knight, Bryan Knight, Jeff Knight and Ivan Knight; best friends, Barbara Tucker and Linda Hall; and many, many loved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

Services will be held on Wednesday, May 9, at 5 p.m. at Middletown Rancheria Tribal Hall Rancheria Road, Middletown, Calif.

A dinner in her honor will be held immediately following services and burial.

Rod passed away on the evening of April 30, 2012, at his home in Scotts Valley with Donna, his wife of 13 years, by his side.

Born on Sept. 23, 1927, in Willows, Calif., Rod was the son of Marion and Robert Riley.

After graduating from Willows High School, Rod joined the Navy and proudly served aboard the Destroyer tender, USS Whitney, during World War II.

He began a long career with US Forest Service in 1950, working on the Mendocino National Forest in Willows, Covelo and Upper Lake, and the Six Rivers National Forest in Willow Creek, and retiring from Eureka.

In life, Rod was active in Boy Scouts, a volunteer fireman and a Master Mason for more than 60 years.  He loved duck hunting, diving for abalone and rock fishing on the coast, and motor homing all over the United States.

Rod was quick to smile, quick to laugh, quick to joke and larger than life in most aspects.

Rod was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Ethel, and daughter, Karen. He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Shirley; sons, Bob, Tim and Mike; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Saturday, May 5, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Hospice of Lake County.

The family wishes to thank David Parsons, D.O. and his wife Natalie for their help and care.

William Charles Bohren of Lakeport, Calif., died in April 2012 in Lakeport. He was 76 years old.

Known throughout Lakeport as “The Running Man,” his passion was running each day, even into his elder years.

He was born on Oct. 25, 1936, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Elizabeth Mies and Harry Marth and was adopted by Henry Bohren in 1945. He married Kay Bohren on May 20, 2001.

He served in the United States Marines from 1958 to 1961, was a graduate of San Jose State University with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, and worked as a quality engineer for the US Navy until his retirement. In his early years as an engineer, he worked on the second stage of the Apollo Rocket.

William Bohren is survived by his wife, Kay Bohren of Lakeport; his four daughters, Denise Rushing of Upper Lake, Calif., Linda Bohren of Richmond, Calif., and Michele Bohren and Cameron Bohren of Concord, Calif.,; stepson, Thadeus Croyle; brothers, Harry Bohren and John Bohren; and many nieces and nephews.

He will be missed for his gentle spirit and his sense of humor.

The family will hold a celebration of life to be announced at a later date.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Hospice of Lake County or to the Northlake Adult Day Center, 1026 Compton St, Lakeport, Ca 95453.