Obituaries

Tri-Valley Obituaries: Family Troublemaker, Electrical Engineer, Father

Jeanette E. Zint, a resident of Danville, died on Nov. 23 at the age of 74. A schoolteacher in Denver for many years, Jeanette is survived by her husband of 50 years, four children and seven grandchildren.

Constance Van Maren Phillips, 92, a resident of Pleasanton, died on Nov. 16 with her daughter by her side. She lived in Pleasanton from 1970 to 2007. A dedicated volunteer, she was in charge of jewelry at the American Cancer Society in Pleasanton.

Guido S. Pagni, a resident of San Ramon, died on Nov. 20 at the age of 94. A longtime member of the Colombo Club, he is survived by his two children, six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. His wife of 72 years, Stella, preceded him in death.

Doris L. Huffaker, a resident of Danville, died peacefully at home on Nov. 21, three days after her 83rd birthday. There will be a memorial service for Doris at Trinity Lutheran in Walnut Creek on Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.

Esther Hibner, 92, of San Ramon, died on Nov. 25. Born on her family’s farm in Indiana, she was the second of eight kids, and took pride in her reputation as the family troublemaker, according to Legacy.com. Esther moved to California in the 1950s and taught nursing at Merritt College. She moved to San Ramon in 1988 after Bud, her husband of 34 years, died. A memorial service is planned for Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. at Church of the Valley in San Ramon. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California.

Kathern “Cindy” Crouch, a resident of Dublin died on Nov. 17 at the age of 84. She worked at Emporium Capwell before opening her own window decorating business. At an age when many people have retired, Cindy spent the last six years of her life raising four young children. There will be a service for Cindy at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Dublin on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m.

Robert Dale Carlson, 85, a 25-year resident of Danville died on Nov. 19. An electrical engineer, Robert and his family moved to Danville in 1967. He was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church. Robert and his wife, Ruth, moved to Washington shortly after Robert retired in 1990. He is survived by three sons, 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

Noriko Byrd, 66, a resident of Danville, died on Nov. 22 surrounded by her family. Born in Japan and raised in Tokyo, Noriko is survived by her mother, her husband, her son, her daughter, her son-in-law and two grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation in Noriko Byrd's name to the Cancer Support Community.

Kathern Ann Bell, 76, died peacefully at home in Pleasanton on Nov. 19. Born in Michigan, Kathern came to Northern California in 1958. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kathern to The Parkinson Network of Mt. Diablo, P.O. Box 3127, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.

Edward J Arnold, 95, a resident of Danville, died on Nov. 26, seven months after his wife of 71 years. He is survived by two daughters, two grandchildren and two great grandsons. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Ed helped raise money for Cal’s golf team and the Haas School of Business.


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