Obituaries
COOKE, Carolyn, Age 79, of Mill Valley, CA, was called home to be with her heavenly Father on August 20, 2026. She was born September 6, 1946, in Vicco, KY to the late Nathaniel and Louise Combs. Carolyn was a devoted mother and grandmother and a cherished member of the Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church for over 40 years. She was known for her dedication to her family and her commitment to serving those less fortunate, retiring from the federal government after 37 years of service. Preceded in death by her brother, Ronnie Combs; sister, Emma Hankins, and sister, Gloria Rucker. (more…)
Norman Allen Spencer passed away peacefully at his home in Tiburon, California, on July 20, 2026, at the age of 83. While his family grieves his loss, they celebrate a life that was rich in love, friendship, and purpose. Born on August 5, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, to Henry Norman Spencer and Mary Elva Dillingham Spencer, Norm grew up in the Pacific Northwest. He graduated from Roosevelt High School before earning his degree from the University of Washington in 1964. In 1968, Norm met Sally Kolthoff in San Francisco, where they married in 1974 before moving to Tiburon in 1975. (more…)
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Policy Joel Aberbach, age 86, of Walnut Creek, California, and formerly of Los Angeles, Ann Arbor, Michigan and New York, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was the husband of Joan (Gross) Aberbach, with whom he shared sixty-four years of marriage. Born in Queens, New York, Joel was the son of the late Isidore and Miriam (Meltzer) Aberbach. A product of New York City’s public schools, Joel was a graduate of Cornell University and earned a doctorate in political science from (more…)
Donald D. Watkins, age 78, of Berkeley, California, passed away peacefully at his home on July 17, 2026. He was born on November 17, 1947 in Richmond, California and raised by his mother, Evelyn Watkins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters, Joan Watkins and Joyce Ray. Surviving are his wife, Karen Watkins; his daughter Krsni (Umesh) Tongbra; and grandchild Avani. He was a graduate of Salesian High School in Richmond and a few years later, volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He went on to co-author, with Clark Smith, The Vietnam Map (more…)
December 22, 1941 – July 27, 2026 Joy Louise Chase Dickey passed away on July 27, 2026, at the age of 84. She was laid to rest in a private green burial service at Fernwood Funeral Home in Mill Valley, California. Her final resting place is nestled high on a peaceful hillside beneath majestic eucalyptus trees overlooking the San Francisco Bay, watched over by Quan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion—a setting as serene and independent as the life she lived. Joy was the loving mother to Andrea Joy Casalett (Beth McBride), proud mom of Heather Hartter (Libby Kava), and a doting grandmother to Michael (more…)
Shawn Raymond Crossley, a devoted husband, loving father, cherished son and brother, loyal friend, and respected colleague, passed away on July 14, 2026 at the age of 48 after a courageous battle with cancer. Shawn was born in Sunrise, Florida, and grew up in Naperville, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago, where he majored in computer art—a fitting combination of the creativity and analytical thinking that shaped so much of his life. Shawn met his wife, Kelly, during the summer of 1999, when they were interns together at Nicor Gas. They married on August 10, 2002, at Cordillera (more…)
