Thursday Obituaries

12/15/05

CHIURRI, Evelyn

Evelyn Chiurri (1926-2005) passed away peacefully on Dec. 10, 2005, at Villa Alamar in Santa Barbara with her daughter Tokie at her side. She spent most of her life in Groton, MA. She graduated from Groton High and received her RN from Leominster Hospital. She was a Nurse Cadet during WW II and loved being a nurse.

Evelyn leaves behind her beloved family, husband Anthony Chiurri to whom she would have been married 50 years in 2006, and her daughters, Tokie Shynk of Santa Barbara, CA and Rebecca Lawrence of Fitzwilliam, NH. She also leaves behind two grandchildren whom she adored, Hilary and James Lawrence of Fitzwilliam, son-in-law John Shynk, sister Gert Scully of West Groton, twelve nieces and nephews, and many friends. She was preceded by her parents Alice and Ralph Hynes, and sisters Hilda and Rachael.

Evelyn spent her life contributing to others. Until the very end she was full of love and caring for everyone she encountered.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Evelyn's name to: Evelyn Chiurri Fund - Villa Alamar, Alzheimer's with Dignity Assisted Living Facility, 45 E. Alamar, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

Evelyn's family wishes to thank all of the very loving staff at Villa Alamar who made her last two years so joyous and peaceful. And also the staff of Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara. You were all her angels here on Earth.

CLEGG-GREENE, Kathleen

December 12th, 1929 - December 6th, 2005

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our wonderful Mum, Kathleen Clegg-Greene. On December 6th, 2005, the Lord sent His glorious angels to lift her to His eternal embrace of grace and peace.

Kathleen was born December 12th, 1929, in Belfast, Ireland, and spent many years in her beloved country. She married her love, Ronald Greene, in 1948, and moved to England where they raised their family before permanently moving to the United States in 1974.

Kathleen lived in Santa Barbara for the past five years, but also spent many wonderful years in Carmel, CA, where she filled her beautiful cottage with flowers, fairies, and the special loving magic that was Mum's alone. She had such an amazing spirit and joy for life and so appreciated the beauty and wonder of all that her life encompassed. Everyone that knew her so loved her wonderful laugh and delightful sense of humor; Kathleen so loved to have parties, to dance, to travel, and so very much enjoyed her passion for reading.

Kathleen spent some of her happiest years as a midwife in England; she truly loved bringing precious souls into the world, as well as taking care of the new mommies.

She was also involved in community outreach and was so implemental in gracing people's lives with help, love, and encouragement. God bless you, Mum.

Kathleen adored her beloved pets, all creatures great and small. She so enjoyed her daily walks on Carmel Beach with her precious Tara and Tiffany.

Kathleen so cherished her family and friends, her five beloved granddaughters being her legacy. She told everyone that she was so blessed and happy to have "her five little girls."

Her tremendous light and love lives on in our hearts forever.

Kathleen is predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Clegg, her son, Gary Martyn Greene, and her former husband Ronald Philip Greene. She is survived by sons Kieron and Simeon Greene of Monterey, CA; daughters Sharon (Balcom) of Pacific Grove, CA, and Deborah (Bueno) of Santa Barbara; granddaughters Sarah, Jennifer, Jessica, Elizabeth, and Ana. She is also survived by numerous family members in Great Britain.

A celebration of Kathleen's life will be held on Saturday, December 17th, at Welch-Ryce-Haider, 15 E. Sola St., Santa Barbara. And informal gathering will be held following services, details of which will be mentioned at that time.

Rest in peace, Dear Sweet Mum, and know how very much you are loved. We pray that you and Dad are holding your precious Gary in your arms once again -

"Let not your heart be troubled... I go to prepare a place for you... that where I am, there ye may be also."

John 14:1-3

CRANE, Elaine Hogan

passed away on November 21st, 2005 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Elaine was born in Durban, South Africa. She immigrated to the United States in 1948. In the early days of her time here, she lived in New York City and New England. She eventually headed west to California where she married George F. Crane of Santa Barbara who preceded her in death in 1982.

Elaine will be remembered as someone who personified love and caring. She was known for taking in strays of all sorts and giving them a loving home in which to find comfort. Spirited and with a quick wit and easy laughter, her love of life was inspirational. She is deeply missed by those of us who are left behind.

She is survived by her three children: Janeen Hoey of Santa Barbara, Lauren Darling of Santa Barbara, and John Hoey of Baywood Park.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held in the chapel at La Casa de Maria on El Bosque Road in Montecito on Sunday, December 18th, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, The Humane Society, or Hospice Partners of the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo.

The family was assisted by Benedict-Rettey in Morro Bay, CA; (805) 772-7382.

EVERT, Lillian Mable

August 1, 1914 to December 9, 2005

Lillian (Robertson) Evert, aged 91, while surrounded by her loving family, went peacefully to be with her lord on December 9, 2005. Born in Kackley, Kansas, to Trena (Gertson) and Dan Robertson on August 1, 1914, she was the oldest of four children.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-three years, Loren M. Evert in May 2000, and her daughter-in-law, Janet (Spink) Evert in August 2003. She is survived by her son, Richard Evert of Libertyville, Illinois, and her daughter Judith Dale and family of Buellton: Judith's husband Ron Dale and grandsons Denver and Andrew Dale.

Lillian and Loren moved to Buellton in the early 1950's and worked a 60-acre farm along the Solvang-Lompoc Road (now Highway 246) growing flower seeds, alfalfa, and produce. Later they opened Evert's Rainbow Ranch Nursery and operated it until the early 1970's. The farm is now Thumbelina Village on the north side of 246 and Rolling Hills Nursery to Vreeland Ford on the south side.

Lillian's true love was baking and cooking. She was active in community organizations such as the Buellton Union School District PTA, the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, and the Santa Ynez Hospital Auxiliary. The center of her life, however, was her family. She was an inspirational wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be sadly missed by family and friends.

The visitation and funeral will be at Loper Funeral Chapel In Ballard. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 20th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. The funeral will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 21st. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard. A reception will be held at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to your favorite charity or to Valley Haven Senior Day Care Center, PO Box 950, Solvang, CA 93464. Loper Funeral Chapel, Directors.

GANNON, Timothy

entered into God's care December 11, 2005 in Sebastopol at the age of 81. Tim was born, raised, and educated in New York and moved to Santa Barbara, CA in 1950. He worked as a Sanitary Engineer for the State of California for 42 years, active in Mount Carmel parish, and served on the Montecito Fire Protection Board of Directors from 1977-2002. Tim was an avid backpacker, gardener, and fisherman. He is survived by his two daughters, Katherine and husband Ken Deaver and Barbara Rosen; three grandsons, Garret Deaver, Daniel Rosen and Sean Rosen; granddaughter, Sarah Rosen; sister-in-law, Amy Gannon-Finkle; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 15 from 5:30 - 7:30 at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park, 1700 Pleasant Hill Rd., Sebastopol. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Dec. 16 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Sebastian's Catholic Church, 7983 Covert Lane, Sebastopol with burial to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Santa Rosa. Donations may be made in Tim's name to an Environmental Organization of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of PLEASANT HILLS MEMORIAL PARK & MORTUARY, Sebastopol. CHEDA & LYONS (707) 823-5042.

MURROUGHS, Alan

passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2005 after a long and valiant battle with cancer. His family was by his side at his home in Santa Barbara.

Alan was born on April 23, 1941 in Evanston, Illinois to Thaddeus and Florence Murroughs. In 1955 he moved to Santa Barbara with his parents and brother, Ronald.

Alan attended local schools and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1959. He often spoke of his years playing football as a Don, culminating with his being named captain, and player of the year and best league lineman in his senior year. He earned his nickname "Alan the Horse," by being the hardest worker on the team, often arriving before the other players arrived, and staying after they left.

He attended Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, leading to his degree in Optometry. After graduation he married Carol Angel in Portland. Together they had a son, Gary Murroughs.

Alan served two years in the U.S. Army. As an Officer and a gentleman he provided optometric services at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

After his service he settled in Santa Barbara and joined his father and his brother in optometric practice. They maintained their office at State and Mission for many years. Alan, as well as his family, was active in the local Optometric Association and he served one term as president. Alan touched many of his patients in a profound way, as he worked with dyslexic children and helped them learn to read. Alan was well loved in the community and was often commended by his peers for his fine clinical skills. After closing the office upon his retirement, Alan maintained his interest in optometry by working weekends at Costco, Walmart and Sam's Club from Santa Maria to Oxnard. Despite the onset of cancer, he continued to work until early November this year.

Alan was proud of his work as a volunteer, giving vision care for the 1984 Olympics.

After his divorce from his first wife, he married Lorna Gensler in 1991. Together they raised two children, Megan Murroughs, Lorna's daughter from a previous marriage and Tad Murroughs, their son.

The last few years of Alan's life were truly blessed by the return of his best friend, Barrett Bunce to Santa Barbara. The two of them had the chance to relive a golden past together and to keep close a bond that was very very dear to Alan.

Alan enjoyed fishing and was fortunate enough to have fished both salt and freshwater from Mexico to Canada. His last trip was to Sioux Lookout in Ontario, Canada in 2004, reliving a trip made with Barrett made 45 years ago.

For those of us who knew him, it's easy to agree

When asked by St. Peter, "Where are you going?"

Alan's answer would be:

"Can't say, not knowing."

Alan was master of the adlib joke. He always enjoyed sharing his special brand of humor with family, friends and patients alike. Amazingly he always seemed to have the right joke for any situation. Similarly he knew the words to many songs, pop and western from the 50's and 60's. He would amuse us all with snippets from the works of Tom Lehrer and Johnny Cash and assorted random blurbs such as, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to," or "When you're in Texas look behind you, 'cause that's where the ranger's gonna be," or "I'm my own Grandpa."

He was an avid Three Stooges fan and could quote Curley with the best of them. If his character was challenged he would retort, "I resemble that remark!" In his optometric practice he specialized in the care of children and loved clowning with them. A classic routine of Alan's was to ask a child's age and then respond with, "When I was your age, I was twelve."

Or he would ask them if their mother had to pay them to be good or if they were good for nothing. Alan always told his family to never lose their sense of humor, that it helps you get through anything.

"A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants."

Hats off to you, darling man, Alan Murroughs.

Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary. Virtual flowers and notes can be left at www.findagrave.com.

SHAFER, Arthur Worthington

October 8, 1923 - December 12, 2005

On Monday, December 12, Arthur Worthington Shafer ("Art") died peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara with his wife, Lynn, and his son, Arthur, by his side. Art was born in Los Angeles on October 8, 1923 to Gwendolyn Worthington and Arthur Joseph Shafer. Art graduated from Stanford University, served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, and completed post-graduate work in Geological Engineering at USC. Art began his career in petroleum engineering with Union Oil Co. and JPL. He then worked at McDonnell Douglas, where he was responsible for the third stage of the Saturn V Moon Rocket that propelled astronauts toward the moon.

While at USC, he met, and in 1949 married, Mathilde ("Tillie") McLaughlin who pre-deceased Art in 1982. Together, Art and Tillie had three children: Jennifer (Porteous), Arthur H., and Gwen ("Wendy" Pepper). In 1983, Art joyously married Lynn Cordner. Among Art's greatest joys were golf, traveling with Lynn, spending time with his family, writing poetry, and building beautiful model ships and birdhouses. He was especially known for his memorable and heartfelt toasts at a variety of events.

Art is survived by his dear wife, Lynn; his sister, Suzanne Shafer (Forgie); his and Tillie's three children (Jennifer, Arthur and Wendy); and Lynn's children: Mrs. Carter Cordner (Lynn), Kelly Cordner, Carlye Cordner (Tricker). He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Heather Kinder, Fletcher Jones III, Christopher Pepper, Cameron Pepper, Michael Porteous, Anne Marie Porteous, James Shafer, Weiler Shafer, Elisabeth Cordner, Evelyn Cordner, Emily Cordner, Carter Cordner, III, Patrick Tricker, Catherine Tricker, Andrew Tricker, and Amelia Tricker. Art's great grandchildren include R. Hogan Kinder, Matilda Kinder and Fletcher Jones, IV.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Arthur W. Shafer to the charity of your choice or the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara Foundation (VNHCSB Foundation), 222 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

The funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December 20th, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 1300 East Valley Road, Montecito, CA 93108.