Doni Lynn Bird of Glen Ellen, CA. passed away peacefully on Friday, August 18, 2023, at the age of 80, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Doni was born on January 25, 1943, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in San Francisco to Donald and Vivian Wingate. She attended Douglas Elementary School and Jefferson High School in Daly City. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 1961, Doni received an Associate Degree in dental assisting from the City College of San...

Diana Despard Bridwell (nee Knott) of Glen Ellen, CA passed away peacefully Saturday, August 12 at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital after a very brief illness.  She was 73 at her time of passing. Diana was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia in 1950 and is the daughter of Richard F. Knott and Carol Rede Knott late of Kenilworth, IL.  She is survived by her husband and life partner of 35 years, and the love of her life, Robert S. Bridwell her husband.  She is also survived by...

Richard William Cooper aged 86 flew west from the Sonoma Valley with family by his side on August 5, 2023. The cause of death was Parkinson’s disease.  Born in Goshen, NY, on January 24, 1937 to Julia Gurda and Gary Cooper, he was the oldest of four children.  At the age of 12 his mother passed away and his father was in the TB sanitarium.  He was raised by his Uncle on the farm in Pine Island, NY. As a young man he attended Parks College in St Louis, and earned a...

Yan Ghazikhanian, a notable figure in veterinary medicine and an anchor of warmth and hospitality, peacefully passed away in his home in Sonoma, CA on July 29, 2023, at the age of 86. He left an indelible mark on both the professional community, and more importantly, the lives of those who knew him. Born on April 21, 1937, in Andimeshk, Iran, Yan's drive for academic excellence took him from a small town to the University of Tehran, where he earned his DVM at the top of his class. His...

EVELYN SOWOLLA ZANIN, nee Casseri, age 99, died on July 27, 2023 in her home in Sonoma, California knowing the caring love and respect of her three children.  Evelyn was loved dearly by her first husband of 53 years, her children’s father, Andrew (“Andy”) Sowolla, who died at 80 in 1999.  She was also much loved by John Zanin, her second husband of 10 years, who died in 2015. Evelyn is survived by her children, Donna Halow (Paul Luca), Kris Sowolla (Carol) and...

In loving memory of Frank Louis Fuller, born 10/27/1947, who passed peacefully on 7/24/2023 in Sonoma California after a courageous 7-year battle with Cancer. He is survived by his daughter, Joanna Fuller- Lowe (Joseph) Selah WA; Grandchildren Michael Bronson and Katie Neifert (Josh); Great-Grandson Joseph Weber; and “chosen” children dear to his heart, Eric Muth (Cathy) Napa, CA and Angela Ibleto-Dellinger Petaluma, CA; as well as siblings John Fuller (Donna) Murrieta CA,...

Joe Gratianne, a devoted husband and father, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2023, at the age of 98, in Sonoma, CA. Born on May 15, 1925, in the Pyrenees near St. Marie-Oloron, France, Joe spent his early years laboring on the family farm, experiencing a childhood marked by hard work. At the age of 21, seeking a brighter future, he left behind the arduous farm life in France and emigrated to the United States. He found solace and support in Los Angeles with his cousins, the Arrouge and...

Juanita Marie (Rivas) Colin, beloved mother and caring grandmother, passed away on July 21, 2023 at the age of 87. Born on December 10, 1935 in San Francisco. She grew up in the Cotati/Petaluma area graduating from St. Vincent’s High School. Juanita and her family settled in the Dry Creek Valley and later moved to Cloverdale in the early 70’s. There she raised five children and become a devoted member of the St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Juanita’s faith was an integral...

Donald “Bumstead” Tafoya was born on August 29th, 1946 in San Francisco. On July 20th, 2023 Donald passed away in Sonoma peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family. The baby boy of a family of 9, Donald was preceded in death by mother and father Jo & Louie Tafoya, sisters Lois Wells, Vickie Young, and brothers Richard and Johnny Boy Tafoya. Donald was also preceded in death by nephew Michael Stephens, whom he was very close to. Donald is survived by sisters...

Kenneth G. Crump Jr. died peacefully at his home on July 19, 2023, being where he loved, doing what he loved, talking to his grandchildren Spencer and Shawn and emphasizing that he had lived a good and long life. He was born on January 25, 1931 to Kenneth and Evangeline Crump in Pittsburgh, PA.  Ken attended schools there with his younger brother Ted until middle school when the family moved to Berkeley and then Pleasanton, following his father’s assignment during...