Wednesday Obituaries

12/7/05

LECKIE, Harriet Alice Lee

Harriet Alice Lee was born November 11, 1920 in Boston, Mass. She passed away in her sleep on December 1, 2005 at Vista Del Monte Retirement Community after a short illness. Harriet was raised in Boston and Toronto and Montreal as her father and mother, Harry and Harriet Lee, moved with his job as manager in the Canadian Pacific railway. She attended Simmons College, University of California at Los Angeles and McGill University, and received her B.A. from Simmons College in 1942. She met her future husband, Frank Leckie, while working at the Banff Springs Hotel resort in the Canadian Rockies. They were married in June. 1943 in Montreal.

In 1952 the family moved to Santa Barbara when Dr. Leckie began work at the Sansum Medical Clinic. Harriet raised her four, and was active in the volunteer community with the Junior League and the United Way. She also enjoyed her Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Chapter at UCSB. She taught at SBCC for twenty years. In her active retirement, she enjoyed travel, golf, playing bridge, gardening, her book club, her church activities, and she volunteered at the Braille Institute.

Her greatest joy was the time she spent with her family. She was energetic and interested in everything, and she made a lasting impression on those she met. She had a strong independent spirit and a wonderful, wry sense of humor that helped her meet the challenges of life.

She is survived by her children-daughters Jil Sheldon and Janet Baker, sons David Leckie and Dr. Peter Leckie; her son-in-law Joel Sheldon, her daughters-in-law Frances Darling Leckie and Joyce Gans Leckie; her grandchildren Christina and Scott Sheldon and his wife, Amanda, Nancy Leckie Charlebois and her husband, Lt. Dan Charlebois, David Leckie, Christopher and Heather Leckie; and her sister Barbara Lee Fulford and her husband, David, of Toronto, and many nieces and nephews. No public service is planned, as she requested. Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider.

MURPHY, Marlene Joy

Marlene died at her home in Sequim, Washington, on November 4, 2005, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 55.

Marlene grew up in Minnesota and came to the West Coast when she married in 1969. She lived in Santa Barbara and Goleta from 1972 until she moved to Sequim in 2001. She attended SBCC and worked for twenty years in the Adult Education English as a Second Language program.

She leaves behind her husband, David; her son, Patrick, daughter-in-law, Karen and granddaughter, Grace of Phoenix; her daughter, Lisa and future son-in-law, Mike Telfer of San Diego; her parents, "Bud" and Myrtle Harthan of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; her brother and sister-in-law, David and Janet Harthan of Mozambique; and her sister and brother-in-law, Marge and Denny Nelson of Andover, Minnesota.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial celebration at Community Covenant Church, 5070 Cathedral Oaks Road, on Sunday, December 11 at 2pm.

PALATO, Anthony "Tony" Escoto

went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Nov. 28, 2005, he was born on April 23, 1938, in Santa Barbara, CA. He attended local schools and worked at various jobs. He retired after working 35 years with the City of Santa Barbara as a heavy equipment operator, driving his big 18 wheel rig.

He was a devoted and beloved husband, father, uncle and friend. We'll miss his smile, bear hugs and unique personality. He was a great husband and counselor for all, young and old. His hobbies were collecting old western movies, and recording them. He enjoyed very much being with family gatherings even when there was not a special occasion. He loved going to the movies and drives to the beach and watching the big waves roll into the shore.

He was a devoted "Raider" fan which he proudly displayed along with his display of "Cindy-Lou" on his truck. He looked forward to riding in his "Paloma Blanca" (his pearl white Caddy). He enjoyed watching college and professional football, even tennis. He played on the Santa Barbara Dons football team as a running back. He enjoyed attending his nephews' and grandchildren's activities, graduations, marriages, football, baseball, basketball and soccer games. He was known to all of his grandchildren and friends as "Papa Tony" -"The Godfather."

He will be truly missed and the memory of his ready smile and love of family will be cherished always.

"Tony" is preceded in death by his mother, Guadalupe E. Palato; his father, Antonio G. Palato; his sister, Juanita Escobar; niece, Rita-Linda Escobar; and nephew, Eddie Thorp.

"Tony" is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Cindy Palato of Stockton, CA; sons, Jimmy Palato of Long Beach, CA and Michael Palato Sr. (wife Yvonne) of Santa Maria, CA; daughter, Ana Gamez (husband Arturo) of Prescott Valley, AZ; stepdaughters, Rachel Torres (husband Danny Yeager), Mary Louise Torres (husband Ronnie Escoto) and Arlene Taylor (fiancŽ John Windle), all from Redding, CA; grandchildren; Ashley Munoz, Nicolas Munoz, Michael Palato Jr., Roman Palato, Frankie Popoca, Alicia Gamez, AJ Gamez, Rhiannon Mckiney, Cheyenne Perez, Alexander Perez, Phillip Gonzales, Raymond Escoto, Steven Escoto, Latasha Taylor, Lorenzo Taylor, Jennifer Galindo, Martin Jr. Galindo, Louis Galindo and one great-grandson, Aiden Munoz; Mary E. Mejia; mother-in-law, Rosalie (Michael) Hammonds; brother-in-law, Michael (wife Aida) Mejia; sisters, Rita (husband Jim) Blaylock and Linda (husband Manuel) Angures; nephews, John Hammonds, Jack (wife Jennie) Thorp, Bobby (wife Lucy) Thorp, Richard (wife Irene) Escobar, Paul (wife Pepper) Escobar; nieces, Michelle (baby Anthony Soto) Hammonds, Lisa (husband Kelly) Arrendondo, Serena (husband Steve) Bonneck, Tina Escobar, Dina Blaylock and Sheryl Blaylock.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2005 from 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, December 9, 2005 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, corner of Sola St. and Anacapa, in front of the Church Rectory located at 21 East Sola St., Santa Barbara, CA. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 199 North Hope Ave., Santa Barbara, CA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary, 511 North A St., Oxnard, CA; (805) 483-2233.

PUTZ, Mary McKeen Kayser

May 24, 1945 - November 27, 2005

Mary McKeen Kayser Putz was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 24, 1945. Known to all family and friends as "Keen," passed away quietly at her home in the early morning on November 27, 2005. She was and will to this day be remembered as the most fun, humorous, loving, and kindest woman, mother, auntie, and friend to all that knew her. She will always be my best friend. She had a unique sense of humor that captivated everyone, a laugh that was contagious, and a smile so warm and nurturing that you couldn't help but smile back and just adore her. She was warm, inspiring, intelligent, and compassionate. She was the most thoughtful and giving person, always writing "thank you notes" and sharing with you how special of a person you were. She would always make a point to let you know that she sincerely cared about you, if not loved you. She loved dearly her loving husband Tim of more than 38 wonderful years, along with their two children Timothy and Kiley.

She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Timothy Paul Putz, and her daughter, Kiley McKeen Putz; her brother-in-law Greg Putz; sister-in-law Christina Putz; her future son-in-law Patrick Walker, many nieces, close family members, and loving friends. Her beloved son, Timothy Elliot Putz, who died unexpectedly in October 2003, predeceased Keen. We believe with God's grace and wisdom the two are reunited.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Santa Barbara Unity Shoppe, Santa Barbara Humane Society, or Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 at 12:00 pm at Santa Barbara Cemetery.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR CHILDREN PAUL AND REBECCA SPECHT

Paul was born on October 28, 1974 and Rebecca was born on March 2, 1978, they were married May 1, 2004 in Los Osos, California.

Paul was a graduate of Santa Maria High School, in 1993, in Santa Maria, California and Rebecca was a graduate of Dos-Pueblos High School, in 1996, Goleta, California and Santa Barbara Business College, in Santa Maria, California IN 1999.

Paul was employed by Southern Desert Correctional Center as the Yard Officer and Rebecca worked for Prudential Americana as an accountant.

Both died December 2, 2005 along with their loving pet Snuggles.

They are survived by Paul's parents Vince and Linda Specht of Pahrump, NV., and one brother, Tim who lives in Santa Maria, CA., and Rebecca's mother Ginger and Stepfather Howard Dunn of Santa Maria, CA., along with grandparents (Vincent and Phyllis Specht and James and Mary Tolan), aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial Services will be in Pahrump at the Pahrump Family Mortuary on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 6:00 P.M. and Foster Road Church Of Christ in Santa Maria, California on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 1:00 P.M.

They will be remembered as a couple who loved each other, their families, friends and life.

Once met you were no longer a stranger to them, you were excepted and loved from the start.

In lieu of flowers the families request donations in Paul AND Rebecca's Name to go to the Humane Society or Animal Shelter.