LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Our beloved Hardy (Isaias Lopez Rodriguez Jr.) has traveled on, April 28, 2015.

Hardy passed peacefully, at home with his wife, his children and many family members by his side.

His spirit has gone to be with his mother, Florence Rodriguez, in the spirit world.    

Hardy is survived by his wife, Carla Rodriguez; his father, Isaias Rodriguez Sr.; his children, Isaias (Courtney) Rodriguez III, Kristi Rodriguez, Roman (Sophia) Rodriguez, Xavier (Evelin) Jack and Joshua Jack; and grandchildren, Jordan, Nevaeh, Andre, Lil' Jordan, Isaias IV, Lillianna, Lucas, Aiden and Nakai.

Hardy also is survived by his sisters, Lenore (Jorge) Garcia, Marcia (Jaime) Rosas and Vera (Octavio) Calvillo; and his brothers, Robert (Roxanne) Ponce, John Ponce, Emilio Pasalo, Elias Rodriguez Sr. and Ismael (Rochelle) Rodriguez; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Hardy was a gentleman, known for his kindness, and was wise beyond his years. His company will be greatly missed by many who knew him. 

His beautiful spirit now rests peacefully with all of the Ancestors who have traveled before him.

Visitation began on Thursday, April 30, and will continue through 10 a.m. Sunday, May 3, at Big Valley Gym.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 3, at Chapel of the Lakes, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

María de Jesús López
1929- 2015

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – María de Jesús López, 85, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

She was a devoted wife to Martin López (deceased); mother, to her 10 loving children, Enrique, Ampelia, Natividad, Jesus, Lety, Marcos, Martin, Juan, Maria “Dubie” and Armando; and grandmother. 

She celebrated 70 years of marriage to Martin López prior to his death.

María de Jesús “Nina” was born on May 10, 1929, in La Higuera Municipio Juchitlán, Jalisco, México to Miguel Núñez Ramírez (deceased) and Rosario Casillas Hernández (deceased).

She married Martin López in 1944. In the late 70s she joined him in California, moving the rest of the family to Upper Lake.

They knew that moving to the United States would offer their children a better life. She knew that life in Mexico was changing and not for the better.

At the age of 6 she learned the responsibilities of the household by being the cook and mother to her baby brother.

She often said that in order to reach the woodstove, she needed to put four bricks to reach the “metate” to grind the corn and make tortillas.

At that young age she would get up at 4 a.m. to cook breakfast and pack lunch for a long day ahead.

She worked right along her father from sun up to sun down in the fields. On a monthly basis she was known to join her father in the hunt for the months’ supply of meat.

She never complained, not even during the last minutes of her life.

The move to the United States provided the opportunities that as parents they dreamed of and much more.

The family grew up in Upper Lake and the majority still live in Lake County, raising their own children.

She is lovingly known as “Nina” by her grandchildren and all extended friends and family.

She was an incredible cook who always had a warm kitchen waiting for everyone for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and when she knew company was arriving, she made sure that food was ready. She often said that love starts in the stomach with a great meal.

Her most favorite time was surrounded by all her children and their families. She loved gatherings, no matter how large or small.

When not cooking, she would be knitting her own clothing line from scarfs to sweaters, baby shoes, comforters, baby blankets, baby sweaters and table clothes. Many of her handmade items were specially created for her individual children or grandchildren in addition to her personal collection of sweaters and hats.

She also was an incredible seamstress. Up until she moved to the USA, she made all of the clothes for the family and friends. She had a very keen eye for patterns. People would describe the style of the dress, jacket or shirt and she would make it.

She simply did not stop … she gave her all to her family. She taught her children and grandchildren determination, a sense of strong work ethic and most of all an understanding of the importance of family.

One thing she will always be known for was her daily schedule: breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at noon and dinner at 5 p.m. and any time in between for anyone who visited – the kitchen was always open.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her 10 children, Enrique (Irma), Ampelia (Luis) Garcia, Natividad (Rosa), Jesus, Leticia (Joaquin), Marcos (Norma), Martin, Juan (Renee), Maria “Dubie” (Gonzalo), Armando (Leria); many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Lina; brother, Florencio; and many, many extended family and friends.

She was preceded by her children, Felipe and Antonio; sisters, Maria “Lico” and Josefina; brother, Jose; and parents, Miguel and Rosario.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, on Friday, May 1, from 3 to 6 p.m., with a rosary service at 6 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport, on Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m.

The family invites you to also join them after Mass at Upper Lake Cemetery at 870 Clover Valley Road, followed by a remembrance at Maria’s home in Upper Lake.

Donations may be sent to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1862 Parallel Drive, Lakeport, CA 95453,  by phone at 707-263-6222 or online at http://www.lakecountyhospice.org/donate/ .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Donna Gale, 84, of Lakeport, formerly of Santa Clara, Calif., died peacefully surrounded by family on April 24, 2015.

She was the daughter of the late Matthew and Rose Powell of Clearlake, Calif., and the sister of Florence Peck of Lakeport, Calif.

Donna was a devoted nurse for 41 years. Donna’s interests centered on her family and church friends. 

She took great pleasure in sports and was known to always root for the underdog.

She is survived by her children, Timothy (Lidia) Gomes of Morgan Hill, Calif., Cathy Gale of Lakeport (previously of Firenze, Italy), Matthew (Leslie Ann) Gale of Vacaville, Calif., and Grace Gale of Annapolis, MD.

She also is survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was dedicated to her two nieces, great-nephew and three great-nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m.

For further information please call 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Stephen Christopher Carter, 48, of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., passed away on April 19, 2015.

Stephen was born in New York City on May 27, 1966. He was the third child of Paul and Elizabeth Carter.

Stephen spent most of his childhood in New Jersey. He had great memories of summers on Cape Cod with his family. He enjoyed many years as a camper at Winona in Maine and had fond recollections of good friends and camp traditions.

After graduating from Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, Stephen attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he received a bachelor's degree in history.

Stephen worked as a paralegal in New York City for a year before attending Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, Calif.

He immediately tried surfing and bought a motorcycle. His love of motorcycling would last throughout his life.

After three years of riding canyon and beach roads on his motorcycle and studying law, Stephen obtained his Juris Doctor degree.

At the end of his third year of law school, Stephen met his wife, Angela. It was love at first sight.

Angela moved to Northern California after law school and Stephen immediately followed. They lived in Santa Rosa, Calif., while they studied for the bar exam.

Every weekend they would travel to Lake County to visit Angela's family. Stephen loved the Lake County landscape and the natural beauty that surrounded him in the Middletown area.

After Stephen and Angela were married, they relocated to Lake County. Stephen adopted a hunting dog named Dixie, trained her himself and hunted the hillsides of Lake County.

After passing the bar, Stephen volunteered at the Lake County District Attorney's Office. Shortly after, he was offered a job at that office.

After a few years at the district attorney's office, his heart led him to become a defense attorney. He spent the rest of his career defending people charged with crimes.

Stephen served as the administrator for the Lake County indigent defense system for many years. He loved the Constitution and believed that everyone, rich or poor, had a right to a zealous defense. He loved helping people.

Stephen was a loyal and devoted father to his beautiful daughter, Julianne Marie. They enjoyed taking rain walks, sharing their love of history and literature, playing dolls, going to Disneyland, playing board games (especially chess), and spending time together on Daddy-Daughter Night every week.

Stephen helped nurture his daughter’s love of music by taking her to many live performances and sharing his enthusiasm for music with her at every opportunity.

Stephen had a great sense of humor, a generous heart and a ready smile. He enjoyed reading, history, music, baking pumpkin pies, hiking and traveling.

Stephen is survived by his wife of 20 years, Angela; his daughter and “Lil' Bunny,” Julianne; his father, Paul; his siblings, Catherine and Michael; his nieces, Megan, Alexandra, Amber and Autumn; his nephews, Michael, John, Woody, Jovial and Nathan; his uncles, Brian and Bruce; his cousins, Matthew, Brian and Todd; his mother-in-law, Yvonne; his father-in-law, Said; his brother-in-law Donald (wife Melissa); his sisters-in-law, Laura and Carolyn (husband Joel); and so many others who miss him greatly.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 6, beginning at noon at Our Lady of the Lake in Loch Lomond.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Parish in Middletown, P.O. Box 1350, Middletown, Calif.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dolores Mary Vallier Westrich, our beloved “LoLo,” born Sept 25, 1929, passed away on April 25, 2015, with her husband Jim holding her hand.

She fought a courageous battle with breast cancer and leukemia, and died with the grace and dignity with which she lived her life.

She was a Lake County resident for 23 years.

LoLo was a gifted artist who created beauty in media ranging from oil-on-canvas to scrimshaw and stained glass.

She was a talented writer who began her career still in high school as a weekly columnist for the Desert Limelight newspaper in Palm Springs, Calif. By the age of 20, she was writing a daily column for the Colorado Springs Gazette.

As a freelance writer, she authored two nonfiction books, numerous short stories and magazine articles. She was a prolific poet who published more than 100 poems. Her work was published in several magazines and newspapers, including the Christian Science Monitor and The Saturday Evening Post.

As gifted as she was, LoLo’s greatest joy was her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and aunt.

While raising her children, her home was a gathering place for all of the neighborhood children. She delighted the younger children with her summer afternoon storybook readings. Older children were amazed to find that she was genuinely interested in their opinions and ambitions.

Importantly, she took the time to teach anyone who was willing the art of consuming great quantities of vanilla ice cream and chocolate brownies.

LoLo’s most endearing characteristics were her beautiful cheerfulness and her openness to ALL people. She never passed a down-and-outer without contributing something; a new mother without telling her that her baby was the most beautiful she had ever seen (she truly meant it each and every time with no sense of any contradiction), or anyone who needed cheering up. That’s who she was. She was LoLo.

LoLo is survived by her husband of 51 years and best friend, Jim; her children: Michael Sims (Mary), Russell Sims, Dolora Westrich and Shawna Gannon; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandsons.

She also is survived by her loving brother and lifelong confidant, Dr. Robert Vallier (Jeanette); niece, Kris Kouzelos; nephew, Todd Robertson and their families.

Lolo is predeceased by her sister, Dorothy Donahue.

To know LoLo was a joy and a privilege. As a friend wrote recently, “Heaven will be a better place when LoLo Westrich arrives.”

A funeral Mass will take place at 12 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middletown.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel.

Please share your loving memories of Dolores by signing her online guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com and www.legacy.com .

Ruth Jane Thompson Brower
May 22, 1922-April 21, 2015

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Ruth was born in Leadville, Colo., she as a graduate of Bethel School of Nursing. She passed away peacefully with family in attendance on April 21, 2015.

She is survived by daughters Adela Sue Brower and Phyllis Kelsey (Kirt), Sister Avis Sodic and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was a member of the Middletown Lioness, Middletown Red Hats, Clearlake Quilt Guild, Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild and Middletown Senior Center.

Celebration of life, featuring a potluck, will be at the Middletown Lions Club House, Central Park Road, from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 8.

There also will be a potluck and life celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, in Keislar Hall at El Sobrante United Methodist Church, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.

In lieu of flowers family requests donation to your senior center or Middletown Senior Center P. O. Box 1037, Middletown, CA 95461.