Joseph “Red” Gambetta – Lifelong Guerneville
resident
Joseph Gambetta died at home in Monte Rio on Oct. 19, 2008.
Gambetta was the husband of Fern Auman; brother of Genevieve
Beagle; father of Pamela Feltrop Baker (Joe) of Rohnert Park, Lori
Derum (Mike) of Santa Rosa, Joyce Ebel (John) of Nevada, Doris
Whitley (Frank) of Oklahoma and Donna Cooper of Arizona. He is also
survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A native of Guerneville, Gambetta lived to the age of 82. He was
born and raised in Guerneville and lived and worked along the
Russian River his entire life. He was in the grocery business for
many years, owning three local Food Centers and then later retiring
from Fern’s grocery. Gambetta also served the river community in
numerous capacities both in volunteer and service organizations. He
was a member of the Guerneville Fire Department, The Russian River
Rodeo Association, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, The Rebekah’s,
Rotary International for more than 50 years and a friend of Bill
W.
In recent years, Gambetta helped establish the Russian River
Senior Resource Center as a gathering place for members of the
river community. He dedicated his time and talent to upgrading and
maintaining the center and its grounds.
Donations in his memory may be made to The Russian River Senior
Resource Center, 15010 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, CA
95446.
Caren Marie Mancini – Raised in Trenton-Forestville
area
Caren Mancini, age 66, died suddenly at home on Oct. 12, 2008.
She is survived by her husband Frank Mancini of Santa Rosa, nephew
Harry Pelletti of Santa Rosa, aunts Mildred Rose and Egle Pelletti,
both of Santa Rosa, God Mother, Velma Mefford, numerous nieces and
nephews and many cousins in the U.S. and Italy. She was preceded in
death by her beloved sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and
Vinisio Pelletti. Caren was born to the late Effice (Boccia) and
Lena Pelletti in Santa Rosa on October 5, 1942 and was raised in
the Trenton-Forestville area on a 163 acre ranch. She graduated
from Vine Hill School and Analy High School. Mancini worked for 11
years at the James O’Connell Apple Dryer in Graton. She was known
for her fantastic cooking and her beautiful roses. Caren loved to
watch videos of Irish Singer, Daniel O’Donnell.
If desired, donations in her memory may be made to your favorite
charity.
Rex Carlton Farrell – Musician,
restauranteur
Rex Farrell, of Sebastopol, died in Fremont, CA, on Sept. 28,
2008 at the age of 58. His sister Jeannie and nephew Jim were at
his side. He was born Nov. 26, 1949 in Oakland, the son of Robert
Farrell and Shirl Dewsnup. Farrell operated many natural food
restaurants and opened his own restaurant, VIPS, in Sebastopol. He
worked at the Slice of Life Restaurant in Sebastopol for many
years. Farrell produced his own public access TV show called The
Cosmic Kitchen and loved gardening. He was accomplished as a
musician and played keyboard in local bands. His love of music was
inspired by his late mother, Shirl.
He is survived by his father Robert Farrell; his stepmother
Marian Farrell of Grand Junction, CO; his sister Jeannie James of
Fremont, CA; his nephew Jim Marshall of Niles, CA and long-time
friend Patrice Hanson of Santa Rosa, CA. Memorial services will be
held at the Occidental Community Church in Occidental on Sunday,
Nov. 16, 2008 at 3 p.m.
Ernest L. Ceresa – Loved music, poetry
Ernest Ceresa died Oct. 20, 2008 in Sebastopol at the age of 87.
Ceresa was born Apr. 16, 1921 in Oakland, and was a long time
resident of Sebastopol. He loved music, poetry, singing,
photography, history, gardening and cooking. Ceresa was blessed
with a great sense of humor, loved to share stories and enjoyed
making people laugh. He is survived by his son Jeff Ceresa and
daughter Janet DeWitt; numerous relatives and their families and
many friends whose lives he touched. He will be buried at Pleasant
Hills Memorial Park, Sebastopol. Private services will be held.
Franco Louis Bastoni – Loving and vivacious
Franco Louis Bastoni, the son of Brian Louis and Corrina Lynn
Bettencourt Bastoni, died at George Mark Children’s House, San
Leandro, CA, at the age of four. He was the beloved brother of Kaya
West, adored grandson of Rose and Nick Arrington, Luis Bettencourt,
and the late Frank and Elsie Bastoni. He is survived by many aunts,
uncles, and cousins.
Born in St Helena, residing in Kelseyville, he was diagnosed
with an incurable brain stem tumor in June of 2008. He continued to
be a loving and vivacious boy with the Bastoni sense of humor even
when symptoms progressed in the last few weeks.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Rosary Tuesday, Nov.
4, 2008, at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church,
Healdsburg. A Funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday at 11 a.m. at
the church. Inurnment will be private. Memorial contributions may
be made to George Mark Children’s House, 2121 George Mark Lane, San
Leandro, CA, 94578.
Victorine B. Thornburgh Olsen – Made parts for
warplanes
Victorine B. Olsen passed away peacefully in her home on October
25, 2008 at the age of 93. Born in Weatherford, OK, in 1914 to
parents Ben and Velma Lohrengel. She was 3rd in line of six
children, Lloy, Glenn, Victorine, Charles, Viola and Jenny.
In 1942, Victorine came to California with her son Lloy
Thornburgh and stayed with family until her husband, Lloyd, got out
of the service. During that time, she worked in a factory making
parts for the warplanes. She was chosen for the job because of her
small hands and sewing abilities. She was the lead girl over 18
other girls. She was very proud of her job.
She, her husband and son came to Sonoma County in 1953 to settle
in Healdsburg. It was there they built their home and she never
moved again. She was very proud of her home and kept it looking
immaculate inside and out.
After the loss of her first husband Lloyd, Victorine married
Arthur Olsen.
It was then that she began to travel all over the world. That
was the happiest time of her life. She told many stories about
their journeys, including her favorite story of shooting skeet off
the back of the cruise ship, much to her competitors and Arthur’s
surprise. She was a great shot and didn’t miss what was tossed. She
was also an avid bowler.
Victorine is survived by daughter-in-law Vivian Thornburgh;
granddaughter Pamela Barber; grandsons Tyy Thornburgh, Dana Kelly
Thornburgh and Brad Kinkle; 11 great-grandchildren and eight
great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, amongst them
is Bill Coleman. Preceded by Lloyd Thornburgh and Arthur Olsen; son
Lloy Thornburgh and granddaughter Shelley Camp.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the devoted
caregivers, Tracy Delaney, Linda Clary, Carol Suttie and Christa
Brown for their loving care.
A private memorial will be announced. Contributions may be made
to Memorial Hospice, 821 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa, CA, 95401.
Donna K. Marshall Cream – Passionate about
art
On Oct. 1, 2008, Donna K. Marshall Cream, born in Oklahoma City,
OK, on Dec. 14, 1941. She was preceeded in death by her mother
Elaine Jenkins, her father John Maples Thompson, and her sister
Bonnie Blum.
For the past two years, Donna courageously faced the challenges
of cancer with dignity and grace. When she died she was surrounded
by her daughters Lisa and Kelly Lemmons and her husband Joe.
Cream moved up to Half Moon Bay in 1972 and then to Healdsburg
in 1979. She was a business woman in the real estate and mortgage
industry for over 30 years. Six years ago, Donna semi-retired and
moved to Reno, NV.
Cream had the ability to take the beauty of nature and bring it
alive in her art. Her passions were art, gardening, and making a
beautiful home. She was a master at creating visual splendor.
Donna’s love of family extended to many children whom she
treated her own, giving them comfort when they were in need. She
was a trusting and generous individual who provided support for so
many people, taking them under her wing and presenting them with
new opportunities.
She celebrated life to its fullest, and her joie de vivre was
infectious. When she played her castanets, everyone knew the night
would last into the dawn.
She is survived by a brother, many grandchildren, one great
grandchild, several nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
