Publication Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Deaths
Deaths
(August 24, 2005)
Grace Leong
Grace Leong
(August 24, 2005)
Grace Leong, a 50-year resident of Palo Alto, died Aug. 6 in her sleep.
Leong was born in Maui, Hawaii to She Chang and Bing Lau. She relocated to China for her formal education, but eventually returned to Honolulu, Hawaii to become the co-owner of American Dry Goods store, which was a thriving apparel store for many years.
In Hawaii, she met her husband Alfred, and they both moved to Palo Alto to start a family.
Leong was a dedicated homemaker, and she loved dance, music, Chinese opera and Mah Jong -- a card game she frequently played with her friends.
She is survived by her son, Ronald; her daughter-in-law, Doris; two grandchildren; her brother, Eddie K. Lau of Foster City, Calif.; and sister, Rose Y. Lum of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Memorial services have been held.
Helen Barbara Mape-Skarston
Helen Barbara Mape-Skarston, 86, died in Menlo Park Aug. 7 of pancreatic cancer.
She was born in San Francisco to Helen and Andrew Johnson in 1919. She graduated from Notre Dame du Namur High School, Lone Mountain College and UC Berkeley.
She will be remembered as a deeply loving and devoted wife of 53 years to the late Vance C. Mape, Jr. She was blessed to find love a second time. The month she turned 80, she married Roger Skarston in 1999. They celebrated their wedding anniversary each month.
She was known for her upbeat and positive outlook on life and her endless energy. A loving friend to everyone she knew, she will be remembered for her sense of humor, enjoyment of travel and her passion for sports. She always began her day by reading the sports section before going on to the main news, and she was a proud season ticket-holder for the Giants and the 49ers. She loved to play golf and was a Charter Member at Shron Heights Country Club in Menlo Park. She would gladly share the experience of her hole-in-one on #8 at Stanford Golf Course. Over the years she took great joy watching the sporting activities of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was also involved in the community and charitable endeavors. She was a member of St. Denis Church in Menlo Park and on the Board of Directors of Sequoia Hospital Foundation. She was active in and generously supported the St. Vincent de Paul Society; Catherine's Center; St. Francis Auxiliary; Oakwood Center; the Regents; Santa Clara University; Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers; Rancho del Nino San Humberto; Catholic Relief Service and Sacred Heart School.
She is survived by her husband, Roger; her sister, Catherine McGowan; her children, Jan Hannigan; Vance Mape II; and Andrea Ross, as well as her 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Vincent de Paul's Catherine's Center, 50 North "B" Street, San Mateo, CA 94401-3917, or the Sequoia Hospital Foundation, 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA 94062.
Howard Glenn Turner
Howard Glenn Turner, 84, a long-time resident of Atherton, died in Menlo Park on Aug. 14 of heart failure.
He and his wife, Elizabeth "Tibby" Finlayson Turner, lived in Atherton since 1955 and in the Bay Area since 1946.
He was born in Omaha, Neb., and graduated from Deep Springs Junior College in Inyo County. He proceeded to receive a degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University before serving in the US Army Signal Corps during World War II. He finished with the rank of captain in the Army Reserve, and moved on to work for Pacific Telephone as an engineer and manager in San Francisco, Reno, Palo Alto and San Jose. He retired in 1983.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Turner Gilliland of Menlo Park; his son-in-law, Clinton Gilliland of Menlo Park; and his two granddaughters. At his request, no services will be held.
Dirk van Erp
Dirk van Erp, a Mountain View resident and former planning commissioner, died Aug. 4.
Dirk received a master's degree in architecture from Stanford University. He practiced architecture in the firms of Blanchard & Maher and Keller & Gannon in San Francisco. He served on the Mountain View Planning Commission from 1963-1971. A member of the World Trade Club, he enjoyed dominoes on Mondays and monthly gatherings of friends and colleagues. Gardening was his passion, especially caring for his late father's orchids. His father and grandfather were acclaimed art metalsmiths.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marianna; son William, daughters Janna Mori, Joanne Montague, Mary Bythell and Ruth; and 11 gradnchildren.
No service is planned.
Stanley Wolf
Stanley William Wolf, 79, a resident of Palo Alto, died Aug. 7.
He was born in Merced, Calif., to Celia Osband Wolf and George Wolf. He graduated from Merced High School in 1944 and joined the United States Navy. He also graduated from Fresno College.
In 1951 he married Phyllis Donner and they had two children, Douglas and Melanie. He began his 30-year career in the insurance industry, qualifying him for the Million Dollar Round Table. During his career, he also worked as a certified life underwriter and as a chartered financial planner.
His civic responsibilities were broad, as he devoted much of his time to the Merced County Democratic Central Committee and worked as a volunteer for Project Read and Breaking Bread at Temple Beth Jacob. He served as Grand Juror in both Merced and San Mateo County and was the founder and director of the Speakers' Bureau for the Retired Grand Jurors' Association of San Mateo County.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Phyllis; his children; and five grandchildren. His family hopes his grandchildren will carry on his legacy.
Memorial services have been held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Temple Beth Jacob.
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