Santa Clara Magazine

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

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.

Dr. Diane Hijos di Bari passed away on May 7, 2013. Dr. di Bari started teaching in the Liberal Studies Program in Fall of 2003. She was a popular and caring professor. She taught our Exceptional Child course (LBST 138) for the program a total of 17 times in the last ten years and impacted the education of hundreds of undergraduates.

Dr. di Bari had tremendous compassion for children and was a leader in the field. She was able to translate the science of exceptional children to individual lives. Santa Clara University and the Liberal Studies Program was fortunate to have her on our faculty. 

Peter S. Carter Feb. 20, 1943 - March 6, 2013. He was a resident of Los Gatos and a longtime Silicon Valley advertising executive, acclaimed photographer, political advisor, fundraiser, and iconic Los Gatos and Santa Clara County civic leader. He died at his home in Los Gatos. He was 70. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory and Georgetown University where he graduated from the School of Business in 1966. As co-founder, president and CEO of one of Silicon Valley's most prominent advertising and public relations firms, he played an instrumental role in the growth of Silicon Valley for more than three decades. In 1980 he was elected as an underwriting member of the global specialty insurance underwriting organization Lloyd's of London and served as a board member of the North American Association of Lloyd's. A lifelong Republican, Peter was widely known for his role as a trusted advisor, fundraiser, and confidant of government leaders and candidates from both political parties. He had a network of prominent political connections, both local and national. After retirement, he became increasingly known for his architectural photography, his photographs of friends and family, his sincere generosity, his culinary skills and legendary hospitality. His community affiliations included the San Jose Downtown Rotary Club (member since 1974), Paul Harris Fellow Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, San Jose Chamber of Commerce, San Jose Symphony, KTEH, Fellow of Santa Clara University(1991), Silicon Valley Capital Club, Los Gatos Police Foundation, Los Gatos Music and Arts and The Los Gatos Social Club. In addition to his wife, Dennise McNulty Carter, he is survived by two children from his first marriage, son P. Scott Carter '89 (Liza) and granddaughters Stephanie and Christina and son Shawn Villere Carter (Julie) and granddaughters Elle and Haley. Other survivors include his sisters Katherine Carter Powitchko (Jack), Patricia Carter Lowrie (Mike), Mary Carter Aulman (Mark), and V. Celeste Carter and brothers Joe Carter (Debbi), Paul Carter, Mark Carter, and Jonathan Carter (Deborah), in addition to numerous loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Edwin "Scottie"Heim, Celestine Lisewski Carter and R. Joseph Carter, his aunt, Barbara Fields and by his brother, Matthew Carter. 

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.

Elizabeth Mary Ginty, born May 25, 1917, the beloved daughter of Peter Francis and Margaret Mary Hamill of Oakland, died peacefully at her home on October 7, 2012 at the age of 95. She was a lifelong resident of Oakland/Piedmont having been born in Oakland, attending Piedmont Avenue School, graduating from Oakland Technical High School and completing two years of business college. She lived and raised her family in the same Piedmont home for nearly 67 years. She was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church her entire life where she, as well as her mother and her daughter were married. She was active in the Mothers Club at St. Leo's school, from which her two children graduated. She was a volunteer and officer with the Holy Family Guild and a member of the Catala Club of Santa Clara University for over forty years. Elizabeth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a devoted caretaker of family and friends throughout her life. She was always cheerful and friendly to anyone she met; a ray of sunshine in any room she entered. She delighted in being a native Californian and was especially proud of her Irish heritage and her extended family in Ireland, whom she visited on many occasions with her late husband and brother and her grandchildren. Elizabeth was predeceased by her devoted husband of 53 years, John Francis Ginty, founder of Ginty Supply of Walnut Creek and by her dear brother, Edward Hamill of Oakland. She is survived by her daughter Margaret Shumm and husband Gary of Menlo Park, CA and her son John F Ginty, Jr. '70 and wife Maureen of Alta, CA. Elizabeth is also survived by her six grandchildren, Meghan Shumm Oliveri '01 of Danville, Erin Shumm and Kathleen Shumm Tuttle '05 both of San Jose, Flynn Ginty of San Francisco, Britte Ginty of Rochester, Minnesota and Devin Ginty currently residing in Helsinki, Finland; and her great-grandchild Emily Tuttle of San Jose.

Elizabeth "Betty" Sutro died peacefully on August 8 at her ranch in Napa at the age of 101 surrounded by family. She was a gracious and giving lady and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.  Betty was born in July 1911 to Philip Hanson Hiss and Caroline Dow Hiss at their home in New Canaan, Connecticut. She attended Tenacre Country Day School in Massachusetts, and was profiled in its 2011 newsletter, as both the school and Betty turned 100. She graduated from Dana Hall in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and was presented their distinguished alumni award in 2002. She moved to San Francisco after her marriage in October 1931 to John Sutro, who for many years was a distinguished attorney and partner at Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro. In 1935 they moved to their new home in Presidio Heights, where she raised four children, many dogs and lived until her death.  Betty will be remembered for her extraordinary caring and generosity, and for the impact she made on so many people. There were several organizations that she cared about and supported, but she was especially passionate and committed to St. Luke's Hospital (now part of the California Pacific Medical Center) and Laguna Honda Hospital. Betty was involved with St. Luke's for over 75 years, and helped found the St. Luke's Auxiliary 60 years ago. In 1984, as further acknowledgment of her commitment to improving the human condition, she was invested into The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. In February 2009, Betty was honored at a reception for her decades-long commitment to St. Luke's.  Betty Sutro's spirit of giving has also been shown and known by her participation at Laguna Honda Hospital for the past 50 years. Betty was a founding member of the Laguna Honda Hospital Volunteers (now known as Friends of Laguna Honda), beginning her service on the board of that organization in 1957 and retiring in 2008. Throughout that time and after her retirement, she was devoted to the residents of Laguna Honda and open to answering their critical needs. In June 2010, at the opening of the newly revamped hospital, the Betty Sutro Meadow was dedicated in her honor and the meadow is now an active area for the residents of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center as well as the residents of San Francisco. In the words of one friend, "She was a selfless act to others. She had the opportunity to give; she took it;she gave it."  In 1994, Betty endowed the first academic chair at Santa Clara University School of Law, the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Professor of Law.  At the time of her death, Betty had been a member of the Town and Country Club for 66years.  Betty loved the outdoors, and especially loved her ranch in Napa. She made the drive from San Francisco to Napa every weekend, and spent much of each summer there. There were always family and friends around. Her children and grandchildren and some of her great-grandchildren had large groups of friends visit on a regular basis. As a sampling; her son Stephen had his fraternity up for a weekend, a granddaughter's entire swim team came up, and a great-grandson's Boy Scout troop had several camping weekends there. Betty's story would not be complete without mention of her beloved dogs. When she was 12 years old her dog, Dixie, went with her to Tenacre Country Day School, although Dixie was asked to leave almost immediately. Throughout her life she always had a dog (or three), many of which have their portraits hanging in her bedroom. She is survived by her Labrador retriever, Dusty, who was at the foot of her bed when she died.  A special thank you to her granddaughter, Margaret Mackey, NP, for all the love and care she gave "Gima" the last few years. The family also wishes to thank Bobby Cohen and Celedonia Garcia and his family for the invaluable care and support they gave her over the past 20 years, without which she would not have enjoyed those years as much as she did.
Betty was preceded in death in 1994 by her devoted husband, John, after almost 63 years of marriage. She also was pre-deceased by her beloved son, Stephen, in 1962, and her loving daughter, Caroline Mohun, in 1997. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Mackey ’91, of Los Altos, and her son, The Honorable John A. Sutro, Jr. (Loulie), of Kentfield. She also leaves behind 17 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. 

Michael Kelly ’14 passed away on May 8, 2013, surrounded by his family and close friends. He was 21.

Born in Walnut Creek, CA, in 1992, Michael had lived in Modesto and was currently a junior at Santa Clara University. Michael is survived by his parents, Ed and Debbie Kelly, sisters, Kimberly, Maribeth and Bridget, brothers Zack Vagneur and Hasani Carr.

Gregory Todd Savage died July 15 of complications from cancer. A graduate of Texas A&M, he completed the teaching credential program and the coursework for a master's degree at Santa Clara. Greg taught at Pioneer High School in San Jose and was the son of Tom and Marsha Savage, both retired as professors emeriti from the Department of Education. Greg is survived by his family Crystalyn Savage M.A. ’06, Cody Savage, and Chelstie Prewitt, as well as his parents Dr. George and Mrs. Rexanna Latimer of Bryan, TX, Drs. Tom and Marsha Savage of Manteca CA, his brother Steve Savage of San Jose, his grandmother Norma K. West of Idaho, as well as many aunts, cousins, friends, and students.