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Virginia Hope Cournale – Retired to ‘The Silk
Purse’
“Ginger” Cournale died on April 27, 2009 after a lengthy illness
at the age of 79.
Cournale grew up in the Richmond District and attended St.
Monica’s Grammar School and Presentation High School. She went into
nursing and completed her education at St. Joseph’s Nursing Academy
and then worked many years as a Surgical Nurse at San Francisco’s
Children’s Hospital. She retired to the Russian River at “The Silk
Purse,” on the ninth fairway at Northwood in Monte Rio. The family
would like to express their appreciation to Cournale’s long-time
friend, Margaret Widdicombe, for her care the past few years. And
to her former nurse colleagues for their support and friendship
over the years and, finally, her many friends from the Northwood
area, for their thoughtfulness and friendships.
She is survived by her brother Clyde; sister-in-law Dorothy;
three nieces, Christine (Cesar) Martinez, Caren (Michael) Tuers and
Claudia (Aram) Kardzair; and one nephew Curt (Debi) Cournale. She
was proud of her seven grandnieces and nephews, Larissa, Marielle,
and David Martinez, Brandon and Steven Tuers, Caitlyn and Nicole
Cournale. Ginger was born to Charles and Josephine Cournale in San
Francisco at Children’s Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to: Sutter
VNA and Hospice, 110 North Dutton Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.
Robert A. Matheny, Sr. – Sebastopol resident 65
years
Robert A. “Bob” Matheny, Sr. was born on June 14, 1924 in
Portland, Oregon to parents Edith and Harry Matheny. He died
peacefully at home in the care of his family on May 5, 2009.
Matheny served in the Marine Corps for three years during WWII and
was called back into the Reserve for another year and a half. After
being honorably discharged, he came to Sebastopol to live and work
with his mother and stepfather at Western Cleaners after which time
he took over ownership for three years. He was then employed for 11
years at Art Point Studios in Sebastopol as a compositor followed
by 16 years at the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa as a typesetter. He
was a long-time member of the Lafayette Lodge #126 of Free and
Accepted Masons of Sebastopol. He was a Sebastopol resident for 65
years.
Everyone admired Bob for his funny, dry but witty sense of humor
and his magnetic and ever friendly personality. His greatest
pleasure was working in his flower and vegetable gardens, and he
was born with a “super” green thumb for gigantic sequoias and
evergreen trees. He also loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting,
sharing the experience with his son and grandson. After his
retirement, Bob enjoyed golfing and had many good times on the golf
course.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Elayne (Tough) Matheny
and their two children Rhonda Matheny, Santa Rosa, and Rob Matheny,
Sebastopol, along with grandchildren, John Matheny, Sebastopol and
Kelly Matheny who is now finishing her freshman year at Humboldt
State, Arcata. He is also survived by his twin brother, Raymond
Matheny and his wife Marie, Santa Rosa and their children, and
grandchildren. He leaves his sister-in-laws, Inez McGrew, Rohnert
Park, and Loretta Tough, Sebastopol, along with many nieces and
nephews. His sister Peg preceded Bob in death.
Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Friday, June
12, at 2:30 p.m. at the Community Church, 1000 Gravenstein Hwy. N.
in Sebastopol. Rev. Eugene Nelson, Minister, will be
officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Methany’s memory may be made to
Heartland Hospice Services, 2455 Bennett Valley Rd., Suite B-214,
Santa Rosa, Ca, 95404.
The Matheny family wishes to thank the Heartland Hospice team
for their care and emotional support.
McDonald D. Blackburn – Local winemaker for 25
years
Winemaker, philosopher, ballet dancer, social critic, craftsman,
frontiersman, resource conservationist, skydiver, musicologist,
writer, surfer, Scottish Presbyterian, husband and father Don
Blackburn died after a battle with cancer in the early hours of the
morning on Thursday, April 23 at 54 years of age.
The Norwegian-born, French-trained American winemaker leaves a
legacy as one of the finest creators of Pinot Noir in the
world.
Blackburn received a BS degree in Resource Conservation from the
University of Montana, with a minor in French, and then returned to
France where he had spent his senior year abroad. In Beaune he
gained a BTS with honors in viticulture and enology from the
University of Montpelier, and interned in the vineyards and cellars
of famous Bordeaux and Burgundian wine estates to further his
education. In Margaux, St. Emilion, Mersault, Alsace, Monthelie,
and Vosne-Romanee, he studied texts dating back to the 17th century
to uncover the roots of the practical aspects of winemaking,
learning techniques that we are now rediscovering with the help of
technology. While in France, Blackburn also became the first
foreign correspondent for the Wine Spectator.
His 25-year winemaking career in the U.S. includes winemaking
positions at Elliston Vineyards, Bernardus Vineyards, Byington
Winery and David Bruce Winery. His career culminated with the
crafting of his Pinot Noirs at Emeritus Vineyards in the Russian
River Valley, where his favorite vineyard has been renamed in his
honor as McDonald Mountain.
A celebration of Blackburn’s life will be held at Emeritus
Vineyards on June 5 from noon until (like his wines) his character
has been fully revealed, and his family and friends are left with
an ineffable sense of well being.
Emeritus Vineyards is located at 2500 Gravenstein Highway North,
Sebastopol, CA 95472. Please RSVP at 707-823-4464, though all are
welcome, with or without notice.
Lonny Sumner – Owned HiFi Drive-In in
Cloverdale
Lonny died suddenly on May 13, 2009, at the age of 64, after a
short illness. He was born in Oregon and spent most of his life in
Cloverdale. Lonny was an enthusiastic cook who loved to prepare
foods for family and friends. He also loved to garden, fish, hunt,
the 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers and John Wayne. He was the owner
of the renowned HiFi Drive-In in Cloverdale for many years. He
loved spending time with his grandkids. He was our rock and was
loved and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his
wife Linda, son Eric (Christy) of Windsor, step-daughter Amy
Wegener-Taganashi (Kiko) of Sebastopol, his son Shane Young (Sally)
of Red Bluff, his sister Anita Wiget (George) of Bodega Bay,
ex-wife Connie Sumner of Windsor, brother-in law Greg Unger (Deena)
of Palo Cedro, sister-in-law Alisa Machen of Cloverdale, and his
adoring grandchildren, Gary, Michael, Kyle, Arthur, Fiona, Sierra,
and Treston, and many nieces and nephews.
Lonny will be buried in a private ceremony at Olive Hill
Cemetery. A memorial service was held with family and friends on
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Fred Young Funeral Home in
Cloverdale.
Michael Barbee – Athlete, teacher, author, health
educator
Michael Barbee, age 60, died peacefully at his home in
Healdsburg with his family on May 17, 2009, after a long battle
with cancer. In his youth he was known for his natural athleticism,
his intelligence and his zen-like attitude toward life. As an adult
he was an athlete, teacher, author, and health educator, loving
husband to Sharon, and proud father to Mara and Derek. He is
survived by his wife and children, mother, Patricia, sister, Karen,
and brother, Marc. He will be sorely missed. A celebration of his
life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made
to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, www.prostatecancerfoundation.org.
Doris Ellen Vallier Pierce Hawkins – Graduated from
Healdsburg High School
Doris Ellen Vallier Pierce Hawkins, 76, of Napa, passed away at
home on April 1, 2009. Born April 5, 1932, in Petaluma, Doris
graduated from Healdsburg High School and later went on to earn an
A.A. from S.R.J.C. A homemaker for 56 years, she also held various
jobs outside the home: Telephone Operator in the 1950s, an Usher at
the Aven Theatre in Healdsburg, a Bookkeeper for Chris Deckers
Florist, and as a Saleslady at a local Healdsburg fabric store. She
was also an active member of the Republican Women’s Club, Napa; and
a Mary Kay Consultant.
Surviving family members who loved and cherished her are: her
loving husband, Byron Hawkins; daughter Cathy Pierce-Prouse (Julie
Crozier) of Rohnert Park, and her children, Rebecca Prouse of Santa
Rosa, and James A. I. Prouse III (Heather), stationed at Holloman
Air Force Base, N.M.; daughter Susan Kane (Warren) and her
children, Meaghan, Lindsey and Matthew Kane of Southern California;
and her half brother Michael Vallier of Petaluma, California;
step-daughter, Mary Spencer (Gary) and daughter, Kathleen, of
Paradise; and Sue Gillespie (Randall) and daughter, Monica, of
Hawaii.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N.
Michigan Avenue, Fl. #17, Chicago, IL  60601-7633.
Patrick William Heilman – Active in his
church
Patrick William Heilman, passed away on May 7, 2009 at the age
of 53, surrounded by family and friends. Patrick is survived by his
children Randy and Logan Heilman, three grandchildren, his mother
Patricia Rank, sisters Sally Picard, Susan Park and brother Michael
Heilman, aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his father Charles E. Heilman and
sister Sheri Donald.
Patrick worked for Healdsburg Lumber Co. for many years and was
very active in his church.
Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service Saturday, May
23, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 515 Powell Ave.
Healdsburg. Please bring a dish and your memories to share.