Elaine Stephenson
May 16, 1923 to October 31, 2003
Elaine was born in Oakland, California to James and Gertrude White. She has lived in Grass
Valley for the last 19 years with her husband of 56 years, Don.
Elaine was a member of the Soroptimist International of Nevada City, the Newcomers
Club of Grass Valley, Sierra Nevada Hospital Auxiliary, The
Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Sierra Presbyterian
Church.
Don Stephenson
October 7, 1925 to March 28, 2004
Don Stephenson passed away on Sunday, March
28, in Grass Valley. He was 78. He was born Oct. 7, 1925, in
Klamath Falls, Oregon,. He married Elaine White on July 18, 1947
in Oakland. He was a member of the Grass Valley Elks, Shriners,
Masons, and the Roamin Angels Car Club. He enjoyed racing, restoration
of old cars, playing pool, and spending time with his family.
Mary
Lou Summers
February 18, 1940 to December 26, 2003
Mary Lou was born in Prescott, Maine. She grew
up in Old Orchard Beach Maine and graduated from Old Orchard High
School where she was voted Best Dressed in her class.
She met her husband, Bobby on a blind date.
They married on February 28, 1959. They had two daughters, Sharon
and Pamela.They moved to Grass Valley in 1966. Mary worked in
banking and worked as a finance manager until her retirement.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother
and friend. She loved spending time with her family and taking
trips in their 1958 Ford Fairlane. [TOP]
Jan
Mulder
June 2, 1945-October 27, 2005
Jan was born in Schenectady, N.Y. but she was
raised and educated in San Jose, where she attended Del Mar High
School. In the 70’s, she went to work in the Real Estate
financial industry and worked for mortgage insurance and title
companies. She also worked for All State and McGovern Insurance
where she earned best of sales awards.
Jan
married Chris Mulder in 1983. They split time living in Los Gatos
and Truckee, until moving to Nevada City in 1997. She enjoyed
her grandchildren, her dogs, her home and gardening. She was
past president and treasurer of Soroptimist International of
Nevada County and a member of the Roamin Angels.
Ed Mikita
- November 2005
Ed and Yvonne joined the Roamin Angels in 2002. Ed was known as a quiet man with a broad smile. Ed purchased his 1956 Chevy 210 Post as the third owner in 1996. As a purist, he kept the car completely stock.
Henry Aguirre
August 5, 1942-August 10, 2006
Henry Aguirre's laugher and smile will live
in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. He was born August
5, 1942, and lived his life with humor and dignity until his
demise on August 10, 2006.
Henry was born in San Francisco and lived on
the peninsula until moving to Nevada City, California in 2001.
He graduated from Stanford University with an engineering degree.
He served as a mentor at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley,
California.
In the printing industry for more than 40 years
in the Bay Area, he was considered an expert in digital imaging
and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe
speaking on the subject.
His
hobbies included reading, live steam locomotives, street rods,
fly fishing, ocean paddling and foster parenting orphaned animals.
He had a passion for teaching and mentoring young people in the
printing industry.
He was a member of the Golden Gate Live Steams,
Sacramento Valley Live Steamers, Roamin Angels and Jokers Car
Clubs, Nevada City Elks, Keauhou Canoe Club & Mofo's, both
of Kona, ECV, Devil Mountain Brigade, a volunteer foster parent
at San Mateo and Kona Humane Societies. He was also a member
in good standing with the "Four Coconuts of Kona." He
is survived by his wife, Sandra. [TOP]
James ‘Jim’ Dent
October 12, 1956-June 13, 2007
The lifelong resident of the Sacramento area
and middle child of five, Mr. Dent was born Oct. 12, 1956, in
Roseville, and graduated from Bella Vista High School. Coming
from an extremely close family, Mr. Dent's favorite pastime at
family gatherings was being the family's practical joker. Jim
provided endless hours of entertainment with his tall tales from
his "many lives lived before." He would often begin his stories by saying "when
I was a submarine captain" or "when I worked on the
U boat during World War II." He also played many tricks
on his young great-niece.
A man of his hands, Mr. Dent spent most of his working life
in construction and recently started his own company, Northern
Sierra Homes, which built homes in the eastern Sacramento area.
A carpenter, he had a love for woodworking, constructing many
priceless wood boxes and clocks throughout his lifetime.
Jim had an immense passion for cars. Before his death, he was
busy constructing a garage to house his two Mustangs, his 1940
Ford and 1957 Thunderbird. His membership in the Northern California
Cruisers and Roamin Angels Car Clubs brought him many years of
joy.
Although cars won much of Jim’s affection,
his devotion was first and foremost to the people around him.
Giving all of himself whenever anyone needed anything, Jim affected
the many lives of his family and friends. Jim spent most of his
working life in construction, and recently started his own company
Northern Sierra Homes building homes in the Eastern Sacramento
area. Jim is survived by his wife, Lydia Mayberry; son, James
Jr., and a large family who will miss him very much.
Will Shaw
March 11, 1936-Dec. 7, 2008
There is no single word that can describe Will Shaw. However there are a few words that will always remind me of Will. The first is 'gentleman.' When he greeted you, he was polite, yet warm. He made you feel welcome, whatever the occasion. I never heard him raise his voice or rant and rave. If I ever saw him upset about a club matter, he would become serious and intense, but always in a controlled and modulated voice. It was not that he did not have strong opinions, but he always expressed them in a gentlemanly way. That was just how Will was.
That brings up another word to describe Will: dedicated. Two things he did feel strongly about were our toy drive and helping with the food distribution. That is where I first got to know Will. For many years, he worked tirelessly on these programs. Even after his heart problems would have stopped a lesser man, he continued to work at them. But that was Will. He gave his whole heart, not matter what, to the things he believed in.
Which brings me to the last word I will use here to describe Will: worker. I know it may seem very similar to dedicated, but they are not synonymous. There are people who talk a goodgame, who are willing to campaign for a worthy cause, but are strangely absent when the grunt labor is to be done. Will not only did the planning and organizing, but the physical labor as well. If getting out there and doing the job, even if it puts your own health in jeopardy, is a fault, then Will had that fault. I remember, after he had developed serious heart problems, seeing him grabbing heavy loads of Christmas toys to take to the cars of the people coming to pick them up when he should have been sitting and watching. I would take a bag of toys from him only to have Will grab a bag to two to take to the next personÕs car. Will just could not sit there and watch others work.
So I will close by using those words to describe the Will I knew, a dedicated, hard-working gentleman. We will all miss Will Shaw, but he went over and above to make this world a better place during his time here on earth. - Ron Cherry
Will was active in the Roamin Angels Car Club and the local
Salvation Army of Grass Valley. Will spent countless hours every
holiday season collecting toys, assembling bicycles and distributing
food for many families in Nevada County.
He spent leisure time working in his shop restoring and making
furniture and creating beautiful wood crafts. He and his shop
friends were the “Woodpeckers of Penn Valley.”
Will is survived by a thriving and devoted immediate family,
including his wife of 49 years, Irene. As a testament to his
kindness of spirit and generosity, Will also has an extended
family of countless friends and loved ones whom he treated as
if they were his own. He was dearly loved in turn.
“Call us when you get home. You know the drill.”
Len Koch
- January 21, 2009
I was deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Len Koch on January 21, 2009. He was given six to twelve months to live on a recent visit to the doctor's office. Len was experieincing heart and lung problems.
Len had worked in construction most of his life and became an excellent tradesman in the field. We both spent many years working and supporting each other, as good friends and family men.
Len has several children who have been a blessing to him and his wife, Rose.
We were both single for a period of time and enjoyed cooking and going up to the National Hotel in Nevada City on Friday nights. We would go to listen to the music of our friend, "Rocky" Jenkins. We also took a trip to Oahu, Hawaii.
About 10 years ago, I can remember someone asking Len how many years he had been married. His reply was that including all four women, forty four years. I will never forget his dry sense of humor. Most people did not understand him, but he was a wonderful human being and a good friend. I loved him like a brother.
I will truly miss him and that humor. Always a friend, Dennis Bailey
Roy McDowell
Dec. 18, 1930 - May 3, 2009
Roy E. McDowell passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Grass Valley on May 3. He was 78.
He and his wife Clare were married on July 14, 1972, in Richmond. He retired from the Contra Costa County Sanitary District in Martinez.
He was a member of Madison Lodge #23 in Grass Valley, Madison Lodge in Richmond, Eastern Star, Mt. Range Lodge #18 Camptonville, Eastern Star #40, Aurora Chapter in Grass Valley, E.D.G.E. and Tractor Assoc., Roamin Angels Car Club and the Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society. His hobbies were old engines and tractors, rocks and gems and classic cars.
He loved talking with everyone and was so proud of his family.
Rich Schilling
June 1942-June 2009
Rich had always had the car bug and when he found a 63 T-bird at a great price he grabbed it. Much to his dismay, he found that there was a reason for the low price and he really didn't have time or money for a full blown restoration. He wasn't about to give up though. He just changed plans and the T-bird became a bit-at-a-time project. It also gave him the excuse to join the Roamin Angels Car Club. When Lou Kosher decided that he wanted to sell his 55 Chevy, Sandi shoved Rich real hard, and Rich bought it. Rich's health prevented him from doing all the work on the TriFive that he wanted to do. Now, with Rich's passing, Sandi is determined to finish the Chevy and drive it.
Rich is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sandi; daughter Celeste; and two sons, Matt and Mike; and grandchildren, Morgan, Jonathan, Courtney, Megan, Jeremy, Cameron and E.J. The web site caringbridge.org/visit/richschilling is a wonderful source for Sandi's messages during Rich's illness and the hundreds of tributes and good wishes from all of Rich's many friends. This kind and gentle man will be missed by many, but his spirit will live on in our hearts.
Read complete tribute from his friend, George P. (downloads the PDF- Rich Schilling.pdf)
Joe Saso
July 26, 1941-May 24, 2010
Joseph Donald Saso died May 24 at his home, with his children by his side. He was 68.
He spent many years of his life in Boulder Creek, and retired in Grass Valley to be close to family. Joe was a member of the Roamin Angels Car Club and loved to repair and race cars. He was always there to lend a helping hand and loved his dog, Rocky. He will be missed by all his family and friends.
Joe Hartman
March 21, 1935- Feb 26, 2011
In 1998, Joe and his wife, Carol, relocated from San Carlos to Nevada City to enjoy retirement and be near his family, especially his grandchildren. Joe was an easy going soul who even after retirement continued to work hard. Often, he could be found building bird houses or tinkering on his perfectly manicured lawn. Joe enjoyed many activities as a member of the Roamin Angels, especially showing his '57 T-Bird and '49 Plymouth. Joe was a regular with Habitat for Humanity, even becoming Volunteer of the Year. He also enjoyed his volunteer work at St. Patrick's Church and Mount Saint Mary's School. Most early mornings, Joe could be found at the gym and Starbucks, socializing with his buddies before starting his day.
Sandra Aguirre
January 2, 1943 – March 28, 2011
September 1986, Sandra married the love of her life, Henry Aguirre, they had twenty five wonderful years together. Sandra was preceded in death by her husband Henry in 2006. Sandra supported many charities including UC Davis Cancer, UC Davis Retinal Eye Center, SPCA (cats). Her greatest joy in life was her cats Rudy, Misty, Daisy and Hula, who came over from the big island of Hawaii.
Beverly Ann Bagley-Homan-Traina
October 7, 1937 - August 20, 2011
Bev Homan-Traina, 73, of Grass Valley passed away August 20, 2011 after a long struggle with cancer. Her friends and family had been surrounding her with love & prayers up to the time of her passing.
Bev met and married Phil Traina in January 2001, on Traina’s Hill in Grass Valley, CA. They enjoyed traveling in their trailer, visiting historical points of interest and their families across the western states. They belonged to the Neveda City Elks Club, the Roamin Angels Car Club with their 1931 Ford Coupe, and the Lee Vining Fishing Group. Bev enjoyed spending time with her Wednesday Night Women's Poker Group and her "Red Hatter's" group.
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