Tuesday Obituaries

11/8/05

ELMAN, Murray D., M.D.

Murray D. Elman M.D. died peacefully on November 4, 2005 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born, July 22, 1934 in Sydney, Nova Scotia to Alec and Annie Elman. As a young man, Murray served with the Canadian Army and later graduated from Dalhousie University to practice medicine. Murray first worked in Halifax, Nova Scotia with his cousins Dr. Saul and Dr. Leo Green and then moved on to Seattle where he specialized in anesthesia. He finally settled in Santa Barbara in 1968 and joined the Anesthesia Associates Medical Group. While in Santa Barbara he also served with the United States Army as a physician in Vietnam. He had a successful and rewarding medical career and retired in 1995.

In his retirement, he loved motoring yearly across the continent back to Nova Scotia where he enjoyed reconnecting with his roots. He was a kind and loving man who cared deeply for the people in his life. He told wonderful stories and was a superb sailor.

Sincere thanks and deep appreciation to Dr. Tom Ochsner and Dr. Alec Weinstein, who both were there with excellent care which went far beyond their duty, as they tended his soul as much as his body.

He precedes his wife Greti, his children Ali and Keenan, his stepsons Armand and Ewan, his granddaughter Bella, his brother Frank and his family, his sister Roberta and her family, his aunts: Beth, Chaia, and Tilly and his many cousins.

As we go on without him we draw strength from one of his beliefs:

Life is eternal,

Love is immortal, and

What we call death

Is only a line on the horizon

Beyond which we cannot see

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Santa Barbara: please designate "Hospice Program."

In Canada: A donation to Hadassah Wizo Organization of Canada.

ERICKSON, Burdette A. "Andy"

passed away peacefully on October 28, 2005 at Serenity House. He was born and raised in Minnesota.

He is survived by his wife Jane, 7 children, 3 step-children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, his brother and his aunt.

His love of flying led Andy into the Marine Corps, where the Colonel spent 23 years. He later owned a construction company in Thousand Oaks. Andy and Jane moved to Santa Barbara where they have owned and operated the Creek Side Inn since 1989.

A memorial service will be held at the Creek Side Inn on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 11:00am.

Remembrances of Andy may be made to Visiting Nurses and Hospice of Santa Barbara and/or Serenity House.

McDermott-Crockett Mortuary served the family.

JORDAN, Anne Hunter

52, of Carpinteria, died November 4th, 2005 at Cottage Hospital. She is survived by her father, Julian C. Jordan of Carpinteria and her sister, Jane Tiller of Vista. Services planned for Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Carpinteria Lions Community Park at 6197 Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria.

MCGINNIS, Laverne Weldon

Laverne Weldon McGinnis was born December 7, 1925 to W.B. Weldon and Edith Weldon in Burrough Valley, Fresno County, California. The Weldons were Hereford cattle ranchers in the foothills and mountains of the Sierra Nevada, an ongoing family tradition today.

Laverne attended Fresno State College to prepare for a career in nursing. In 1948, she graduated from Knapp College of Nursing, which was affiliated with Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. After graduation, she was employed in surgery at Cottage where she met her future husband, Robert D. McGinnis, M.D.

In 1971, Laverne began a 30-year stint as a professional fashion model listed with LaBelle Agency, Santa Barbara and Cunningham-Escott-Dipene, Los Angeles.

She dearly loved her husband, family and friends, sharing with them her interests - among them gardening, photography, physical fitness, reading, fashion and volunteering.

Her husband, Dr. McGinnis, and her brothers, Walter (Marian) and Carrel (Eunice) Weldon preceded her in death. Surviving are son Michael R. (Bobbi) McGinnis, four granddaughters, Heather, Jennifer, Sarah and Meghan, son Daniel K. (Debbie) McGinnis, daughters Karen L. (David) McGinnis and Lisa A. (Chip) McGinnis. Also surviving are nieces and nephews.

Laverne's sister-in-law, Marian (Walter) Weldon, niece Mary Ruth, husband Jerry Page and their family continue the Weldon Cattle Company heritage.

"I treasured growing up surrounded by nature. Look for me in the beauty of a flower, the flight of a bird, the glow of a sunrise."

Deepest thanks to caregivers Diana Asencio and Clara Hernandez. Donations may be made for cancer research or other favorite charity. No services will be held. Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary.

MORALES, Tomas J.

81, died on Sunday, November 6, 2005 in Santa Barbara, CA. Tomas was born in Steins, New Mexico on December 28, 1923 but lived his entire life in Santa Barbara where he attended local schools.

Before serving as an Infantryman in the US Army in 1943-45, Tomas and his brothers worked in the local CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the late 1930's and early 1940's. Together, they worked in trail maintenance, road building and telephone line construction. Tomas was a local favorite and Golden Gloves boxer at boxing clubs in Southern California. Tomas worked as a construction laborer locally and retired in 1972. He was a member of the Laborers' International Union of North America.

Tomas is survived by his children, Jose Morales, Buellton, and Merci Morales-Duprey (Tony Duprey), Santa Barbara; his grandchildren, Thomas Morales, Amber Morales, Christopher Duprey and Marissa Duprey; his siblings, Manuel Morales, Oxnard, Francisco Morales, Santa Barbara, and Maria Teresa Martinez, Lompoc; many nephews and nieces and several great nephews and nieces. Tomas was predeceased by his beloved wife, Carmen.

Donations can be directed in Tomas' name to Sarah House, 2612 Modoc Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2005, 10:00-5:00 p.m., at McDermott Crockett Mortuary, 2936 De La Vina Street, followed by the Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m., at Holy Cross Church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 10, 2005, 10:00 a.m. also at Holy Cross. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Tomas was a gentle soul who enjoyed laughter, humor and music. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Que Dios te cuide y te protege!

RUMSEY, Dale B.

passed away Friday, November 4, 2005. Dale is survived by his Wife, Doris M. Rumsey now in residence in San Diego. Dale was a long term teacher at La Cumbre Middle School. Services will be held on Thursday, November 10th at the All Saint-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at 1:30PM. Burial will follow at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Dr. Arrangements are with the Welch-Ryce-Haider Mortuary.

SHARP, Patricia

our beloved mother, grandmother and friend went to the loving arms of God and then to the waiting arms of her husband Vern on Friday, November 4, 2005.

Pat immigrated to the United States from Winnipeg, Canada in 1946 and cherished her American citizenship. She took great pride in her work and, even in her retirement years, kept very close friendships with her colleagues.

She is survived by her children Terry Strickler, Christie Ontjes and her husband Rod, Tammy Narkis and her husband Neal, Bill Strickler, Gary Sloper, Ken Sharp and his wife Martha, and Pat Johnson and her husband Steve. Her grandchildren of whom she was so proud and who will miss her dearly are Sarah, Kelly, Ryan, Aana, Katie, Kristen, Rachel, Amy, Erik, and Lukas and great grandchildren Sophie and Madelyn.

Her dog Lucky who was her protector and loyal companion also survives Pat.

Pat was an exceptional woman of faith and unconditional love. She was "Mom" to many and will be missed by her extended family, devoted lifelong friends, and all who were privileged to know her.

A memorial Mass to celebrate Pat's life will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at 10:00 AM at St. Raphael's Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, 133 E. De La Guerra, No. 163, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.

SPEIRS, Donald Keith

Don Speirs was born in Portland, Maine, September 2, 1934 and died October 26th, 2005.

He was raised in Maine and St. Petersburg, Florida, the youngest of six, in a boisterous and happy family. In 1959 Don followed a college friend to California for a quick visit to see his brothers and remained for the rest of his life. He met Joan Yeakel, his wife of 44 years, while they were both working at the YMCA. Don began his lifelong successful career as a stockbroker upon graduation from UCLA in 1961. His love of finance and the stock markets inspired and challenged him always. Don loved to teach others about the stock market and he enjoyed a dual career as an educator and stockbroker. Don helped countless people achieve financial independence.

Don was always very involved in athletics. He was a high school basketball All American and also played basketball for the Army and football for Florida State, and was a California State Squash champion (40 and over). Some part of nearly every day of his life involved time hitting some sort of ball, be it a golf ball, a tennis ball or a squash ball, always keeping score. He also enjoyed traveling, making friends everywhere he went around the world.

Don and Joan raised three boys, Garrett, Kenneth and Daniel. Don was extremely proud of his sons, especially of their unique contributions and distinct accomplishments: an artist, a professor and a stockbroker.

Don will be remembered for his love of competition and learning, his sense of humor, and his indomitable spirit after surviving a stroke in 2001. A good friend made signs for Don that can be found in every room, "The Only Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude."

Don is survived by his wife Joan, sons Garrett, Kenny, and Dan, "adopted" son Frank, daughters-in-law, Ginny, SanSan and Linda, grandchildren Siena, Colin, Ben, Duncan and Kai. Also, brothers Bobby and Malcolm, sister Bea and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews, sister and brothers in law and countless friends.

A memorial service honoring Don Speirs will be held at St. Marks-in-the-Valley, Los Olivos, on Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 am.

Please, in lieu of flowers, Don may be remembered with donations to Rehab Institute of Santa Barbara or St. Marks-in-the-Valley, Los Olivos.