Santa Clara University

Nathaniel Luc Oscamou '04 passed away on August 12, 2011. Oscamou was born on April 16, 1982, in Fall River Mills, Calif. Raised in Burney and Paradise, he graduated from Paradise High School. He attended Santa Clara University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree in Finance. Nate enjoyed a career in private equity finance and entrepreneurial ventures.

Oscamou is preceded in death by his father, Jean Oscamou '65 and survived by mother, Kathleen of Paradise; sisters, Aimee Oscamou '90 of Santa Clara, Lisette Oscamou of Chico, Julienne Neumann '94 of San Ramon, and Noelle Passalacqua '97 of Healdsburg; brother, Matheu Oscamou '01 of Redwood City; sister-in-law Maribeth Oscamou '02, brothers-in-law Bruce Neumann and Jason Passalacqua '97; girlfriend, Abbigail Davis of Chico; and his nieces and nephews.

David Stark M.S. '04 passed away on March 15, 2010 at the age of 41.

Nathaniel A. Reyes '05 on April 15, 2010 in Palo Alto at the age of 40. Beloved son of Ross and Ligaya Reyes of Sebastopol. Adored brother of Arnold Reyes and Rosalie Reyes-Simmons. Nathaniel graduated from Analy High School in Sebastopol in 1988 with a National Merit Scholarship and went on to earn an Associate's in Science from Santa Rosa Junior College and a Bachelor's in Computer Science and Mathematics from Santa Clara University. He worked at Bank of America, Ilog, Inc. in Sunnyvale and Highwire Press for the Stanford University Libraries as a software developer until his untimely death.

Ben Mok '05 was a cycling enthusiast who went on solo, unassisted cycling expeditions to countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and the USA. His journals are widely read online and followed by cycling communities worldwide. He was due to return to the US to start on his PhD. Sadly, his dream will never be fulfilled. Ben was struck by a car and passed away on March 24, 2010.

Matthew Lightner ’06, of San Ramon, Calif., passed away Dec. 25, 2011. He was the founder of Site5, a web hosting company that he started at the age of 14.

Alice Joy BA ’06 of San Francisco passed away on May 18, 2012.

Alejandro García-Rivera, faculty member at the Jesuit School of Theology, passed away on Dec. 13, 2010 after a long illness. He inspired many to think freely, inquire uninhibitedly, and believe wholly. Originally from Cuba, his life path took many twists and turns – from a Boeing engineer trained in physics, to Lutheran minister and social activist, to esteemed scholar and author who embraced the Jesuit way of life.

García-Rivera joined the faculty of the Jesuit School of Theology in 1993 as a professor of systematic theology. His scholarship as a theologian bridged the disciplines of science and religion. “I believe wholeheartedly that we must begin to see the interconnectedness of the world, to grasp its complexity, even if our intellectual traditions have conditioned us to seek a different type of grasping,” he said. He often used the term “interlacing,” which he described as the artful weaving of various perspectives across disciplines to gain an insight greater than any of its components. “Everything is interconnected, and I believe God gave me such a broad journey in life so I could see the connections,” he said. García-Rivera was one of the founders of a joint JST-SCU colloquium on science, art, and religion with colleagues from JST, the SCU School of Engineering, and the SCU College of Arts and Sciences. Earlier this year, García-Rivera received the GTU’s highest honor presented to a teacher, the Sarlo Excellence in Teaching Award, as well as a President’s Special Recognition Award at Santa Clara. He was also one of the most important voices in the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. Beloved as a teacher at the JST’s Instituto Hispano summer training institute for Hispanic ministry, he dedicated much of his life to supporting marginal communities. García-Rivera always started a course he taught in Theology and Human Suffering by saying, “It’s hard to teach a class where everybody’s an expert…because who hasn’t suffered?” For García-Rivera, however, suffering wasn’t all about gloom, unpleasantness, and pain. He saw beauty in suffering. Because if you can’t see that, he said, “there’s just one alternative left … and that’s despair.”

Here is one of García-Rivera’s favorite poems, written by Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J.

Pied Beauty

Glory be to God for dappled things—

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;

And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckled, (who knows how?)

With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;

He fathers-forth whose Beauty is past change:

Praise Him.

William A. Vicik '07 died Oct. 10, 2009. He is survived by his parents, Frederic and Linda Vicik.

Michael J. Percy ’07 (June 4, 1947 - May 30, 2012) Resident of Milpitas, Mike was born the son of Oran and Alta Percy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He earned a bachelor's degree from U.C. Berkeley and a master's degree from San Jose State University. After a long career in urban planning he retired from the City of Mountain View to pursue his law degree from Santa Clara University and ultimately started his own law practice. He is survived by his wife Katheryn, sons James (Danielle) and Matthew (Erin), and grandchildren Abigail, Owen, Isabella and Megan.

Brian Edward Drocco ’08, a resident of Sunnyvale, was taken from us in a car accident Feb. 24. No words can describe this loss for his loving parents, Carol and Dan, and his beloved brother, Jeff. His smile and his laughter graced our lives. It was too short a time. Brian grew up in Cupertino, attended St Francis High School in Mt. View, and graduated from Santa Clara University in 2008 with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of the first, very successful Solar Decathlon team at SCU. Upon graduation, Brian and a few other engineers from that team began a startup company, Valence Energy. Valence was recently acquired by Serious Energy, where Brian was currently working.

Brian loved technology, loved music, and loved being a part of Silicon Valley.

Most of all, he had a joyful optimism for life that he shared with his family and countless friends. Brian, may your marvelous, baritone voice join the choirs of angels in heaven.

Steven John Hardt-English ’08, resident of San Jose, died suddenly on Jan. 17. He was 29 years old. He lost a brave 3-year fight against a disease he was so close to beating. He would make progress, accomplish so much, and then be overcome again. He was a kind, thoughtful and intelligent young man who had so much he wanted to do. We fought together as a family, yet ultimately were powerless. We miss him so much. Steven attended Booksin Elementary, Willow Glen Middle School, and Willow Glen and Valley Christian High Schools. He went on to attend the University of California at Santa Barbara and graduated from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business in 2008 with a degree in finance. Professionally, he was most recently an assistant financial planner at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in San Jose. He developed affiliations with Rotaract of Silicon Valley and Salvation Army Silicon Valley. He was a member of SCU Leavey School of Business Alumni Network, Phi Kappa Theta Honor Society, and a California Scholarship Federation lifetime member. For 10 years, Steve enjoyed playing ice hockey in the Sharks Ice adult league and developed a love of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in which he assisted with youth and adult classes and private instruction. He is survived by his sister, Kimberly English of San Mateo, his mother and father, Michael and Pamela English of Truckee, Calf., his aunts and uncles, Peter and Kathy English, Stuart English, Scott Hardt and Leslie Wright of Los Angeles, and his great aunts and uncle, Helen Tish, Mary Rohde, Mary and John Hardt and many cousins. Steven spent a very happy last day, skating for miles on a frozen lake in Truckee. He had a warm, happy nature and tried to bring a smile and comfort to whomever he met.

Lorene Stevenson M.A. '09 on Dec. 9, 2009. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, Lorene passed away with her family in her heart. She was born & raised in Turlock, Calif., before moving to San Jose in 1952. Lorene was a dedicated teacher in the Campbell Union School District from 1952-1992, until moving to San Diego to retire with her husband Bruce. A celebration of her wonderful life was held in San Diego on December 28.

James W. Dolan Sr. '44, age 87, of Bozeman passed away on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009. Jim was a man of great humor, honor and family. He spent his life making friends wherever he went and looked for opportunities to share his gift of laughter. Never a stranger did he meet. His family was his joy. He was born on June 7, 1922, in Alameda, Calif., to Dr. Paul E. and Veronica Concannon Dolan.Jim was a graduate of Livermore High School, and attended Santa Clara University for two years. To honor his country he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served for three years during World War II.In 1945 he married Jean Addleman, whom he referred to often as a 'saint' for her kindness to others. They were wed at St. Michael's Church in Livermore, Calif. They raised five children, a daughter and four sons. During that time Jim worked at his family's winery, Concannon Vineyards, the Lawrence Livermore Radiation Laboratory, and the Livermore Parks and Recreation Department.Jim was an active father. His children learned to help and care for others by watching their dad. Together they enjoyed scouting, hunting, and other outdoor activities. He served as a Boy Scout Master for 12 years. He also loved his involvement with the Livermore Rodeo, established in 1918 by his uncle, Joseph Concannon. He was a rodeo director for 12 years.Though he loved his roots in Livermore, he brought his family to Montana in 1970 to raise cattle in various locations across the state. They ranched on three different ranches in Montana from 1970 to 1980 in Martinsdale, Cardwell and Sheridan. After selling the Sheridan ranch, they retired in Bozeman where Jim worked part time for the U.S. Forest Service. He was also the 'enforcer' as a parking lot attendant in downtown Bozeman. His employers loved his grand sense of humor and pride in his work. Jim was an avid member of Resurrection Parish and a 30-year member of the Knights of Columbus, first in Whitehall and later in Bozeman, and was Grand Knight in both lodges. He was also a 50-year member of the American Legion. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean (Addleman); and children, Ruth Ann (Charlie) Todd of San Jose, Calif., Jim (Corrine) of Belgrade, Mike (Janis) of Ennis, Pat (Diane) of Three Forks and Tim (Pam) of Belgrade; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Jim passed away Aug. 13, 2009, at the Gallatin Rest Home in Bozeman. Times of joy and laughter with him will be remembered with great affection.

Stephen William Dane ’10 died on March 10, 2011. Steve passed away in his Vacaville home this past Thursday at the age of 23. He was born on Nov. 5, 1987, in Fairfield, and was a lifelong resident of Vacaville. He attended Notre Dame Catholic School, graduating in 2002, Justin-Siena High School in 2006 and had attended Santa Clara University. He had previously been employed at Mimi's Cafe, where he hosted, as well as Petco. He had a strong love for his family, his dogs, his reptiles, basketball and loved being with his friends. For a time, he had also coached basketball locally. Survivors include his parents, Dr. Joe Dane '78 and Mrs. Colleen Dane '78 of Vacaville; brothers, Rick of Glendale, Ariz., and Matthew of Vacaville; fiancé, Brittany Law of Vacaville; maternal grandparents, W. Thomas and Maureen Daley of Sonoma; maternal aunts, Kathy (Paul) Buckels and Patty (Joe) Schmidt; paternal uncle, Nick Dane; paternal aunts, Marge (Jack) Elberson and Francy (John) Pastore; cousins, Christopher and Johanna, Laura, Danielle, Margie, Travis, Rachel and John; and a host of immediate family and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William and Margaret Dane. 

Stephen George Olivo, S.J. '57, died December 5, 2010 in Regis Infirmary, Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos. He was a Jesuit for 54 years, an ordained priest for 41. Death came at age 75 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Steve was born in Chicago on the day after Christmas, 1934. When he was in his teens, the family moved to San Jose. Steve graduated from Willow Glen High School in 1953, attended Santa Clara University, 1953-56, and entered the Society of Jesus at Los Gatos on August 14, 1956. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1969 Fr. Olivo completed a Master's Degree in Spanish Literature and then went to Santa Clara University as Dean of Students. He served in this position for two years and then spent the next five years in the classroom teaching Italian and Spanish Literature. After his time at Santa Clara University Fr. Olivo moved to the University of San Francisco where he served in a number of administrative and pastoral positions until 1999 when, because of failing health, he moved to Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos. Steve is survived by his sisters Ann Calabretta of Auburn, CA, and Viola Evola of Oaklawn, Il., and a brother Salvatore (Sam) Olivo of Arizona.

Emily Bordallo ’10 died on Jan. 3, 2012. Friends and family remember how she would light up a room with her smile. Daughter of Ed Bordallo ’74 and Lisa Jafferies ’74, she was an account manager at Barracuda Networks and she touched lives through genuine giving and caring. She was 25 years old.

Richard W. Degnon, a resident of San Jose, was born Jan. 6, 1928. He is survived by daughter Kathleen Ransom; sons Timothy ’76, James, and Daniel; and nine grandchildren. Degnon was a 1953 journalism graduate of San Jose State University and worked as a reporter for the L.A. Times, Glendale News-Press, and San Jose Mercury-News. Degnon was SCU's athletic news director from 1962 to 1981. He was also a member of the Santa Clara Rotary Club and a board member of Branham Hills Senior Baseball League. He was the first president, in 1969, of Pioneer High School Sports Boosters Club. While in the Air Force, he edited Ladd Field, Alaska's, "farthest north newspaper in world". Degnon was the last serviceman to transfer from the Army to Air Force, June 30, 1948, before both became separate U.S. branches. 

Michael Anthony Sweeney, of Santa Cruz, died in his home on March 26, 2013 of pancreatic cancer. He was 81. Sweeney joined the chemistry faculty at Santa Clara University in 1966, and he taught until the fall of 2012. In 2001 he was named professor emeritus. Prior to teaching he worked as a research chemist for Standard Oil, and also rose to the rank of captain while serving in the US Air Force.

Sweeney was born on Dec. 5, 1931 in Los Angeles, to James Robert Sweeney and Ruth (Bauter) Sweeney.

He attended Loyola High School, and in 1953 graduated cum laude from Loyola Marymount University, (then, Loyola University).  He earned his master's, then doctorate in radiation chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 1962. The research for his Ph.D. dissertation, Radiation Chemistry of Isopropyl Compounds, was directed by Nobel laureates Amos Newton and Glenn Seaborg at Lawrence Berkeley Labs, where Sweeney operated a cyclotron. During that period he is credited along with two other scientists with discovery of the isotope Rhenium (181).

He performed research and published scientific articles throughout his career. In conjunction with NASA-AMES, he studied the area of abiotic biosynthesis—the origin of organic molecules on the early earth and solar system, the formation of organic molecules resulting from radiation fluxes, and carbonaeous chondrite chemistry. His investigation into the radiation levels of the primitive Earth atmosphere added to our understanding of the origin of life.

In 1966 Sweeney began teaching chemistry at Santa Clara University. It was a position he called "the best job I've ever had." Students from his first graduating class presented him with a pamphlet titled "Sweeney's Similes," in which they had recorded many of the analogies from his lectures for which he was well-known. Ten of his first 11 chemistry majors went on to earn their doctorates in chemistry; the eleventh earned a J.D. Several of these students reached out to Sweeney during his final weeks, offering gratitude for his inspiration.

Sweeney is survived by three children, Matthew ’93, Anna ’86, and Daniel ’87, their spouses, and two grandchildren.  

A memorial service will be held at Mission Santa Clara on April 11 at 6:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Arts and Sciences Building on the Santa Clara University Campus, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053. His ashes will be laid to rest in Ireland by his children.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a charitable donation be made to Santa Clara University, The Chemistry Dept., in Memory of Michael A. Sweeney, University Relations, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA  95053; or via the web at www.scu.edu/give/

Donations will be awarded to a chemistry major who demonstrates interest in a teaching career.


Notes of sympathy may be sent to:

The Sweeney Family

c/o Chemistry & Biochemistry Department

Daly Science Center

500 El Camino Real

Santa Clara, CA 95053

Mary Asuncion served Santa Clara University twenty-three years as senior administrative assistant in the Human Resources Office and the Mathematics & Computer Science Department. 

Larry Hauser, part of the Broncos coaching staff from 1983 to 1997, died of complications from internal injuries earlier this month. The Chicago native served as Cal State University, Dominguez Hills men’s basketball coach from 1997 to 2004. During his tenure there, Coach Hauser developed eight All-California Collegiate Athletic Association and two NCAA All-Region student-athletes while leading the program to a second-place league finish during his first season as head coach.

Hauser graduated from Chicago State in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and earned his master’s degree in English in 1973.  He was a highly successful high school basketball coach in Illinois and California prior to joining the coaching staff at Santa Clara University, where he recruited current NBA All-Pro and two-time MVP Steve Nash prior to going to CSU Dominguez Hills.

“I will remember Coach Hauser as a passionate and dedicated coach and educator with an extremely quick wit and strong sense of humor,” says CSUDH Patrick Guillen, athletic director. “He will certainly be missed.”

A Fresno resident at the time of his death, Hauser is survived by his wife Robyn and daughter Lindsey.

Kathryn Bauer Ivers, June 8, 1914 to July 7, 2012, was executive secretary to Athletic Director Pat Malley for more than 15 years; prior to that she worked in the Admissions office. Daughter of Julius J. and Mary A. Bauer. Kathryn was born in Chicago, Ill., and attended DePaul University. Preceded in death by loving husband Edward J. Ivers. Mother of Patricia "Irish" Burney ’67 (David) of Leesburg, Virginia, Barry (Sheila) Ivers of San Jose, and Michael ’71 (Sherry) Ivers of Sparks, Nevada. Grandchildren: Nathaniel, Laurel, Jonathan, Samantha, Danielle, and Barry. Great-grandmother of 5, and countless nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. Kathy traveled the world with her husband, Army Lt. Col. Ed Ivers, and while living in Germany in the mid-fifties, was named Catholic Woman of the Year. Later, when the family moved to California, she was the assistant to the dean of Admissions at Santa Clara University (SCU), a position she had also held at Georgetown University a few years prior. Her love for SCU continued when she became the executive secretary to the Athletic Director, a position which she held until her retirement from SCU in 1980. She later lived in McLean, Va., with her daughter and her family. Kathy leaves behind many relatives and close friends in San Jose, Chicago, and McLean. Kathy was very proud of all three of her children, and especially proud of their graduating from college. She continued to love and encourage the next generation of her family always. She will be missed, but never forgotten.

Edwin H. Taylor, born March 9, 1939, passed away March 10, 2012. It is with profound sadness that the firm of Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman (BSTZ) announces the passing of one of its founders, Edwin H. Taylor, after a battle with cancer. Ed passed away at the home he built and loved, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Gualala. Ed, a native of New Jersey, received degrees in electrical engineering, including an M.S. from Columbia University. He served in the United States Air Force at Midland Air Force Base in Texas. While in the Air Force, he earned a law degree from St. Mary's University in Texas. An opportunity to join an intellectual property firm in Los Angeles brought him to California in 1968. One of his assignments was to prepare and prosecute patent applications for what was then a small technology company. The company was Intel Corporation. Ed continued to represent Intel for more than 40 years, almost the entire span of his law career. In 1975, Ed and three other founders launched BSTZ, starting in a small office in Beverly Hills. From that modest beginning, the firm has grown to more than 65 partners and associates in six offices in four states. Most of the growth is attributable to Ed's efforts and skills, both as a lawyer and, more significant, as a builder of lasting relationships with clients, colleagues, and staff. In the early 1980s, Ed had the foresight to see that Silicon Valley was going to grow into a national and, ultimately, an international technology center. Accordingly, he convinced his partners that they should invest in opening an office in Sunnyvale. As is often said, the rest is history. Ed's clients include a virtual roster of successful Silicon Valley technology companies, including (in addition to Intel) Apple (since its inception), eBay, and Echelon. His legal career had several very notable accomplishments. He prepared patent applications for well known inventors such as Gordon Moore of Intel and Steve Wozniak of Apple. He was the lead litigator in Apple's ITC lawsuit against the Apple II clones, and he represented Apple in the seminal software copyright case Apple v. Franklin. He also pioneered the use of U.S. Customs to enforce U.S. copyrights for software. Finally, he had the ability to give practical advice to clients without overlawyering. Ed also gave generously of his time to the intellectual property community. For more than a decade, he was an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University Law School. He also was a co-chair of the Practicing Law Institute's Conference Program on "Intellectual Property Issues in Business Transactions", and served as a lawyer delegate to the 9th Circuit Judicial Conference. Throughout his life, Ed was an outstanding athlete. He was an avid runner and cyclist; he ran marathons, competed in triathlons, and completed numerous century rides. He was also a certified scuba diver. His passion for scuba diving took him to locations all over the globe, from sites in the South Pacific to those off the coast of Israel. Construction was another of Ed's passions. At the start of his legal career, he built a house in the Hollywood Hills that was featured in Architectural Digest. After moving to head up the firm's Sunnyvale office, he built two uniquely designed houses in Mendocino County, one of which was also featured in Architectural Digest, in addition to many other magazines and books. Time permitting, he often worked on his houses while they were under construction by installing the electrical wiring and driving a bulldozer to grade the property. His colleagues at BSTZ, his clients and friends everywhere will miss him greatly.

James Michael McDonald ’61 (12/05/36 - 06/02/12) Coach Jim McDonald, 75, passed away peacefully in San Francisco on June 2, having endured multiple myeloma and related complications since 2003.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Francesca (Guheen) and daughters Christina D'Arcy (Finbarr) and Melissa Wagner (Nicholas). He is the proud Papa of Oliver Edward James Wagner. Jim is uncle to Jessica Guheen Wald (Adam), Colin (Carrie) and Ryan Guheen ’03, Paula, Kenny and the late Kevin Carolla, John Edmunds and Sandra Ledford. Jim is survived by his brothers-in-law Michael Guheen ’68, MBA ’70 (Cheryl) and Fred Carolla, and his sister-in-law Susan (Guheen) Desautels (Marc). He is predeceased by his parents, Valentine and Noreen McDonald, twin brother Jerome and sisters Patricia and Peggy; his in-laws, John J. Guheen II and Francis Arguello Guheen (nee Lemmelett) and brother-in-law John J. Guheen III.

Jim grew up in Eureka Valley and graduated from Most Holy Redeemer grammar school. He attended St. Joseph's Seminary in Los Altos for one year prior to attending Saint Ignatius College Preparatory on Stanyan Street and graduating in the class of 1955. Jim's collegiate athletic and academic adventures began at the University of San Francisco followed by a stint at Santa Clara University and then back to USF where he completed his B.S. in Business Administration, followed by a teaching credential and Master's degree in Education. In 1962, at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, Jim began what was to become a 50-year career as an educator and football coach. In 1971, Jim started teaching and coaching at Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga. He retired in 2004, after 32 years of service and in 2005 he was inducted into the St. Mary's College Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor for which he was most humble. After his official retirement, Jim volunteered on the coaching staff of City College of San Francisco and was ecstatic to be a part of Coach Rush's 2011 National Championship team. Coaching at CCSF completed Jim's vision of coaching football until he died.

Jim made a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of young men and women and enjoyed the ongoing communication with so many of his former players and students. His spirits were buoyed with visits and phone calls from players and students throughout the years, especially during his illness. He delighted in hearing about their families, careers, and accomplishments. Jim valued family and friends and was extraordinarily loyal to the loved ones in his life. He referred to himself as a blessed man to be surrounded by his loyal family and friends, for they made him laugh and lightened his heart throughout his life. He felt fortunate to visit with them daily and weekly in his last months.

Jim was particularly grateful to the Jesuits for the impact they had on his formative years and how their philosophy shaped his life; he was grateful for how the individual Jesuits in his life guided and supported him as an adult, especially during his illness. Jim was also affected by, and deeply respected, the teaching mission of the Christian Brothers at Saint Mary's College. Additionally, donations of one's time or funds in support of the vocation of nursing would be an appropriate tribute, as Jim had a deep respect for the nurses who took such good care of him, calling them his angels. The family would like to extend its gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Hematology/Oncology practice at the University of California San Francisco and the UCSF Family Medicine Centerat Lakeshore; and in addition, the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Jewish Home in San Francisco who welcomed Jim and treated him like family. To all our friends who provided support and guidance and were always there for us during this time, our heartfelt thanks and love

Flora Cabral Komes, matriarch of Flora Springs Winery, peacefully passed away on Oct. 29, 2012.

Flora always described her life as beautiful, and so it was, from her roots in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she was born Nov. 7, 1911, to her final days in the Napa Valley and in her beloved San Francisco.

Flora was a nurse and a nurturer, whether it was a bird with a broken wing, a small, struggling plant or a scraped knee. She first recognized her call to nursing when she was in fifth grade and read about Florence Nightingale. In 1931, after her graduation from McKinley High School, Flora boarded a Matson liner to the mainland - to San Francisco to attend St. Mary's Hospital School of nursing. Her first purchase when she arrived in chilly San Francisco was a warm coat.

By Halloween that first year, Flora had been introduced to Jerry Komes, who would become the love of her life. The attraction was mutual and he asked her out to a movie the next week, which happened to be her birthday. He arrived with a bouquet of violets - a practice that continued for the rest of their life together. He courted Flora for years, but she would not marry him until she completed her training, including a postgraduate degree at Shriner's Hospital. They finally married at morning mass at St. Agnes Church in San Francisco, Feb. 16, 1935.

Flora eventually gave up her career to raise their children. Jerry and Flora were quite a team. Flora supported his successful career at Bechtel Corporation and he was always quick to tell you that his accomplishments were not his alone, but possible because of his devoted Flora. They were married 66 years when Jerry died at the age of 89.

Flora always lived up to her name - she loved to garden and always had green plants thriving around her. Even after she moved to The San Francisco Towers, people would bring her their weak and dying plants to revive.

In 1977, after a several year search, Flora and Jerry purchased the property at the end of West Zinfandel Lane in St. Helena. Flora had immediately fallen in love with this land and quickly convinced her husband that this was the perfect place to "retire." They hiked the hills together and located the springs, and when their son, John, proposed that the old winery building on the property be revived, it only made sense that the winery should be called Flora Springs after these two sources of life. Instead of a retirement property, this became a new career for Flora and Jerry and their children.

Flora remained interested and involved with the winery until her death. Last year, the family was able to celebrate Flora's 100th birthday and people were astounded by her spirit and energy and radiant smile.

Flora is survived by her three children and their spouses, Michael ’58 and Pat Komes, John ’62 and Carrie Komes and Julie ’71 and Pat Garvey M.A. ’74 and daughter-in-law Rose Komes; seven grandchildren, Michelle (Steve) Dolge ’84, Jeannine (Dave) Ross, Lisa (Curt) Myers, Nadine (Scott) McIntosh, Kirsten Komes (granddaughter-in-law), Nat (Anne) Komes, Sean (Lindsay) Garvey and Joe Garvey; and 15 great-grandchildren, Jackson and Zoe Dolge, Tucker and Hayley Ross, Kyle and Keenan Myers, Peter and Mark McIntosh, Christian, Mary Grace, and Elisa Komes, Matthias and Charlotte Komes, Graham and Sabine Garvey. She also is survived by her devoted personal secretary, Catherine Cunningham. Flora is predeceased by her husband, Jerry Komes and her grandson, Otto Komes; her sisters, Philamena Kellogg, Adeline Spencer, and Ethel Helmboldt; and her brothers, Edward and Wilfred Cabral.