Thursday Obituaries

10/27/05

BARATTO, Maria Luigia

(1913 - 2005)

Maria Luigia Reginato Baratto quietly passed away at her home five days before her 92nd birthday. Maria was born on October 24, 1913, in Paderno del Grappa, Provincia di Treviso, Italia to Amelia Antonia Morosin and Giulio Giovanni Reginato. She was preceded in death by sisters, Elena Luigia, Luigia Guerrina, Margherita, Malfada Ines and Milena Ester and brothers Giacomo, Adalgiso and Paolo. She is survived by her brother Agostino Reginato of Melbourne, Australia, who graced us with his charm for three months this year and numerous relatives throughout Italia, Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States.

Maria married Luigi Baratto in Paderno del Grappa on August 2, 1939. In the spring of 1940, she embarked upon her journey to America and joined Luigi in Santa Barbara, California. She and Luigi resided in Hope Ranch on "Las Terrasas," the estate of the late Harold S. Chase where they were both employed until 1973. In 1974, they traveled to Italia to visit family and the Vatican. They spent their "golden years" at their present home in Santa Barbara where sweet Luigi passed away on January 12, 1993. Maria tended to her garden until her 90's, and loved playing "Sunday cards" with her friends, Rosetta, Rina, Aldina and Sofia.

She is survived by her son, Giulio and his wife Gaile, daughter, Elena Baratto Felland, grandson, David Baratto and wife Anita, granddaughters, Julie Hayden and husband Kurt, Mary Baratto, Gina Felland and her husband James, and Lisa Renee Felland and great grandchildren, Rachelle, Joe, Kate, Tyler, Olivia, Travis, Hillary and Rebecca.

Maria was a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, Italian American Boot Club and a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Maria's "angels of loving care," Hospice Care of Santa Barbara, 222 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2005, at 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., at Welch-Ryce-Haider, 15 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 21 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara, followed by interment at Calvary Mausoleum, 199 North Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara.

"Nonna is making Biscotti in Heaven."

BLANCHARD, George Prescott (91)

Born in Chimacum, Washington, May 7, 1914. George as a child, with his family traveled by steam boat along the Pacific Coast to settle in Santa Ana in 1927. He and his father worked for the Irvine Ranch Company. As a young man he worked for several dairies before settling with the Ritter Dairy in Downey, CA. He moved with the Ritter Dairy to Buellton in 1955 as head herdsman and continued to work for the ranch as property manager into the 1990's. Many locals will also remember George from his time working at the Santa Ynez Feed and Mill.

George was a member of the Old Mission Mens Club, working the Carnival and later the Fiesta. He was also a member of the Lions Club and a founding member of the Santa Y nez High School Booster Club. In his later years, George, could be found often at the Buellton Senior Center where he had lunch everyday with many friends and where he worked at the thrift store.

George was preceded in death by his wife Cora in August 1984, daughter Barbara Bennett Sept. 5th, 2005 and sister Lona Bates.

He is survived by his children and their spouses Celine and Glen Abbott, George and Nancy Blanchard, Donna and Mario Romero and Roberta and Kevin Skidmore, also son-in-law Ron Bennett. He will be missed by his 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, his sister Ruth Lancaster of Taft, CA and numerous family members and friends.

Graveside Funeral Services will be 1:00 pm, Friday, October 28th at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard, officiated by Father Michael Mahoney, OFM, Cap. of Old Mission Santa Ines.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. George's family would like to thank the staff at Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital, Dr's. Van Valin and Shannon, and the Marian Hospice for their tender loving care!

Funeral services are under the direction of Loper Funeral Chapel.

BURHANS, Loretta A.

Loretta A. Burhans, 92, of Santa Barbara, CA. died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, at her home. She was preceded by her husband, Hartley D. Burhans. Born in New York, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna Dallas. She attended college in New York and graduate school in Europe where she also participated in the underground movement.

She lived in Santa Barbara, CA for eight years, having lived previously in Nottingham, PA for nine years and in Collegeville, PA for 41 years.

Loretta is survived by two sons, David A. Burhans of Pottstown PA, Christopher A. Burhans of Lebanon, PA, son-in-law, Robert Michaels, Santa Barbara, CA, and four grandchildren and two great-grandsons. She is preceded by her daughter Barbara Burhans Michaels and two grandsons, David Burhans and Joshua Burhans.

Services will be private.

CAMERON, Donald Lee

"Grandpa," age 57, passed away peacefully at Sarah House Hospice on Modoc Road at 12:15 am on October 21st, 2005. He was surrounded by all his daughters: Jill, Kami, Robin, Tamara and Tawnie during the seven days prior to his passing. His son, Donnie Jr., unfortunately could not be there. Son-in-law, Casey was present as was Jesse along with Donald's four grandchildren: Kevin, 13; Adrian, 10; Casey, 8 and Madison, 3. Our Dad is loved and will be missed very dearly, in addition to the passing of his wife of 38 years and our Mom, Gloria Faye Cameron who passed 15 months ago on July 16, 2004 in Colorado. She also passed peacefully with surrounding family. Many people in the I.V. and Goleta/Santa Barbara area knew my parents as selfless people, always willing to invite a new friend in for dinner at the drop of a dime. My father was the entertainment and my mother the gracious hostess who always somehow knew to make more for dinner. They were very open, non-judgmental people that they just don't seem to make anymore! It is fortunate that us six kids have each other to look to for support in this time of grief because the loss of two such great people (who just happened to be our parents, luckily) were so incredibly close to us. We will miss our parents very much.

A private scattering at sea ceremony will take place for Donald Lee Cameron by family in the near future.

Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary.

COVARRUBIAS, Francisca M.

passed away on October 23, 2005 at the age of 80. We will miss her caring love, courage and understanding of life. She leaves two daughters and six grandchildren. She is resting in peace and has gone to join her husband Sabas and her son Martin in Heaven.

The rosary will be recited at Welch-Ryce-Haider Mortuary on Sola St. in Santa Barbara on Thursday evening at seven o'clock. The funeral mass is scheduled for Friday morning at 10 o'clock at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Nopal Street followed by graveside blessing at Calvary Cemetery on Hope St.

The Covarrubias family extends their appreciation to all for the compassion shown in this time of grief.

Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.

CUTHBERTSON, Arline Patricia

Robert's loving wife of 56 years and mother to two children, Robert Jr. and Karen. She was born in New York City on August 22, 1928 and after suffering for many years passed peacefully on October 21, 2005. With her husband she moved to California in 1974 and resided in Santa Barbara since 1978.

Arline was a servant and although suffering with numerous afflictions usually had a smile on her face and a good word to all. She loved all animals, donated to many charities and prayed for many people during her lifetime. She was very committed to God and family, including following each member of her brothers Harry and Robert's families, church family and friends. Concerned with their lives she often would write letters of encouragement and love.

Her husband and children express their gratitude for all the family and friends who have been concerned with Arline's health and well-being over the years. Thank you for all the prayers and love. She is now at peace.

A memorial service and reception will be held at Christ Lutheran Church off Los Carneros Road, 6595 Covington Way, Goleta at 11 a.m. on October 27, 2005.

HSU, Immanuel C.Y., 82

Professor Emeritus, UCSB

Immanuel C. Y. Hsu, 82, a leading authority on the history of modern China and Professor Emeritus at UCSB, died at his Santa Barbara home October 24, 2005 of complications due to heart failure.

Hsu was born in Ningpo (Zhejiang) China in 1923, and grew up in Shanghai. After graduating from Yenching University, he spent two years in Japan as part of the official Chinese delegation in Tokyo. He came to the United States to complete a M.A. at the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. in modern diplomatic history from Harvard University. Hsu was awarded a Harvard Yenching Fellowship (1950-54) and was appointed a Research Fellow at Harvard's East Asian Research Center (1955-58).

Professor Hsu began his distinguished scholarly career at UCSB in 1959 and continued teaching until his retirement in 1991. In 1962 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. During the following year he and his wife, Dolores M. Hsu, Professor of Music at UCSB, traveled in Europe and Asia lecturing and visiting research institutes in Germany, Italy, London, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Hsu served as Chair of the History Department from 1970 to 1973, and was named Faculty Research Lecturer in 1971. His publications include Intellectual Trends in the Ch'ing Period (1959); China's Entrance into the Family of Nations: The Diplomatic Phase, 1858-1880 (1960); The Iii Crisis: A Study of Sino-Russian Diplomacy, 1871-1881 (1965); and The Rise of Modern China (1970). A unique and prize-winning study of the development of the Chinese nation from the Ming dynasty to the present, The Rise of Modern China is now in its sixth edition and has been translated into several foreign languages including Chinese.

An enthusiastic music lover, Professor Hsu was a devoted student of the violin, playing and collecting instruments throughout his life. Throughout the years he and his wife traveled extensively, enjoying the pleasures of collecting Chinese art and furniture.

Professor Hsu is survived by his wife, Dolores; his son, Vadim; daughter-in-law, Carmen; and three grandchildren, Sofia Allegra, Alexander Francis (Sasha), and John Philip Pablo. A private funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 28 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Santa Barbara. A memorial celebration will be announced for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Community Arts Music Association Music Education Program.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Immanuel's doctors: Jack Love M.D., Bruce McFadden, M.D., and Paul Ryack M.D. Their tireless efforts and expert professional care extended Immanuel's life and provided a feeling of well-being that enhanced his life. We also thank Hospice of Santa Barbara for the care and love they offered during the final hours.

NICOLETTI, Vincent Louis, Sr.

1921 - 2005

Vincent Louis Nicoletti, Sr., born in Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital December 29, 1921, went to be with his Heavenly Father October 21, 2005, after bravely and patiently battling a lengthy illness.

Vincent attended Santa Barbara High School and served in the Army as a small arms artillery instructor.

He married Pierina Cavaletto in 1944, a loving wife, who preceded him in death in 1973. Vincent is survived by his kind and devoted wife Sallie Pat, whom he married in 1982; his brother Peter Nicoletti of Santa Barbara; his son Vincent Nicoletti, Jr., and wife Lillian of Priest River, Idaho; his daughter Patricia Searcy and husband Rob of Simi Valley, their children Arthur William Mattmiller and his wife Collette, Mark Abrams and Adam Abrams and his wife Kelly Ann; his daughter Rebecca Colla and husband Jeffrey of Fresno, their children Cristina and Michael Colla; stepchildren Debra and John Scheufler; and one precious great-granddaughter, Alexis Abrams.

Vincent worked as an assistant engineer with the General Telephone Company for 37 years. He was active in the Unity Church of Santa Maria, and had retired to live in Santa Maria in 1991.

Vincent and Sallie traveled the United States for eighteen months shortly after his retirement, enjoying the sites and searching for a special place to call home. They decided to settle in the central coast as it brought them both great happiness and joy.

Vincent was a loving father and devoted husband. He was a man whom friends, church members and neighbors could always count on to lend a helping hand. He was a passionate gardener, growing colorful, glorious flowers. He adored his precious pets and wild birds, always having a feeder full of seed and admiring his winged friends feeding in his yard. He loved biscotti and Noni's green beans. His daughters learned to dance on top of his feet. He was an armchair sports fan and a voracious reader. Now he'll be able to root for his cherished family from the best seat in the house. He will be greatly missed. Poppi, we all love you.

"Deep inside each one of us is a Devine spark of pure, glowing white light. If you use your inner vision, you will see that spark of light within each person you meet. The light of God unites us all, man and angel alike."

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 5:00 p.m., followed by a rosary at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary. A mass will be held Friday, October 28, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the San Roque Catholic Church, 325 Argonne Circle, in Santa Barbara, California. Entombment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in Santa Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vincent's name to the American Heart Association, Santa Barbara County Chapter, P.O. Box 636, Santa Barbara, California, 93102.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary and Crematory.

PERRY, Pearl M. "Polly"

Born October 27, 1912 in Pottstown, PA, Polly passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on October 14, 2005, just two weeks short of her 93rd birthday. She had a long and happy life, and said she did everything she wanted to do. She had recently retired from her job of 22 years as Co-Manager of the RV park at Earl Warren Showgrounds. She is survived by husband Jerry, of 40 years, one daughter, Aileen B. Campbell of Santa Barbara, one son, Donald B. Campbell of Gibbsboro, New Jersey, 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, scattered throughout the United States, her beloved dog Pepper of 14 years, and many more loving friends. Memorial service 2-5 PM Saturday, October 29 at Warren Hall, Earl Warren Showgrounds. Refreshments will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Visiting Nurses/Hospice of Santa Barbara. Thank you V.N./H.O.S.B., you're angels.