A public memorial service for Majorie Ann Parker that was going take place at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at Claremont United Church of Christ, has been cancelled due to the family’s coronavirus concerns. Once the medical community finds all threats have passed, the celebration of life for Ms. Parker will be rescheduled. Her husband James Thurman said his wife would be very upset if anyone was infected from her celebration of her life gathering. See future editions of the COURIER with the new date and time.
Keith Fitzalan Mulrooney, 87, a lifelong public servant and longtime resident of Alexandria, Virginia, died peacefully with his family around him on February 14.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, he graduated from Stanford University with a BA in history and later received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.
Husband, father, grandfather, and professor for 35 years at Claremont McKenna College, Phillip Young Koldewyn died March 1 at his home in Centennial, Colorado. He was 89 years old. Phillip was born in Loma Linda, California on March 2, 1931 to William and Rebecca Koldewyn, the first of four children.
Elaine Charlotte Gardner Baugus died peacefully in hospice care on February 23 with family by her side. She was 91.
Born on May 1, 1928 in Pasadena, Elaine was the firstborn of a Nazarene minister, Dr. J. Russell Gardner, and his wife Marion. In her formative years, she moved between California, Idaho and Illinois, as her father answered calls to pastor churches and teach at Christian colleges.
Beloved family matriarch, flower shop owner, artist
Rosario “Chayo” Gass was born at home in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico on September 27, 1926, and died at home in Claremont, on February 8.
As a young woman, she enjoyed her family and friends in Mazatlán and built relationships that lasted her lifetime. She was sent to boarding school in San Diego to learn English and returned to Mazatlán with the intention of living her life there. She opened a flower shop and enjoyed making floral arrangements.
US Army veteran, talented auto mechanic, outdoor enthusiast, grandfather
Robert Reynolds died peacefully in hospice care on February 12 in San Luis Obispo County after a brief battle with brain cancer. He was 68 years old.
Born in 1951 to the late Walter and Elsie Reynolds, Bob’s younger years were spent growing up in the Reynolds family’s 12th Street Claremont home. After graduating from Claremont High School in 1969, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany for two years.
Teacher, singer, music lover, lifelong learner
Lucy Amneus died February 11 at her home in Claremont of complications from a stroke. She was 89.
Lucy was born in 1930 in South Bend, Indiana to Robert and Lucille Nall and lived there until she left for college. In 1952 she graduated from Indiana University with a degree in English literature and history.
Esteemed Pomona College professor of biology, violinist, husband, father
Jonathan C. Wright, the William A. Hilton Zoology Professor and Professor of Biology, and former Associate Dean at Pomona College, sustained a major heart attack and died at his home in Claremont on December 16, 2019.
Jonathan, a Claremont resident for 22 years, was born in Hull, England to John and Marjorie Wright. When he was three, the family moved to Eastry, Kent, where his father was teaching at a local college.
Trailblazing female Presbyterian minister, tireless volunteer
The Rev. Barbara M. Stout died February 15 in Claremont, after a long illness.
She was born Barbara Ann Mullen in 1926 in Los Angeles, to Calvin Mullen and Dorothy Reynolds Mullen.
She grew up during the Depression, learning the value of thrift. Both her parents were schoolteachers.
Iconic Padua Hills Theater Mexican Player, devout Catholic, devoted wife, mother, friend
Alice Marie Flores died February 13 at her home in Montclair, surrounded by her family.
She was born on February 27, 1934 in Watalula, Arkansas to German Methodist father Charles Nathaniel Mitten of Oklahoma and immigrant Mexican Catholic mother Maria Dolores de la Torre of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Harry Cornelius Battin, Jr., 88, of Owings Mills, Maryland, died in February at his home.
Born May 10, 1931, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of Harry Cornelius, Sr., and Dorothy May Battin. He was the beloved husband of the late Rachael Barbara Battin, who died in 2004.
Harry grew up in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, in suburban Philadelphia. He served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1953. He then graduated from Saint Joseph’s College in Philadelphia in 1957.
Longtime Claremont resident, former Country Classics owner
Longtime Claremont resident Dorothy Isobel Lacy died peacefully in her sleep at home on Friday evening, December 27, 2019. She was 91.
She was born Dorothy Eblett in Tynemouth, England on March 12, 1928. She met her husband to be, Garry Lacy, while they both worked in the de Havilland Aircraft Company design office in England.
Ophthalmologist, volunteer, philanthropist, gardener, traveler, friend to many
Dr. Marjorie “Margie” Parker, who came to Claremont to work with the late Dr. John (Jack) McDermott for one year, which turned into her practicing in her much-loved Claremont community for 31 years, died at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center on February 11 in the presence of her husband, James Thurman, and close friend Janie Higginson of San Diego. She was 64.
Alice Marie Flores, renowned Padua Hills Mexican Player who performed at the Historic Padua Hills Theater in Claremont, died February 13.
Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 10191 Central Ave., Montclair.
A full account of her life will appear in a future edition of the COURIER.
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