Patricia Ann Morris Woods, BHS 1972

Patricia Ann Morris Woods

March 12, 1953 ~ May 19, 2021

Pat Morris Woods, BHS '72, passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 68 years of age. Pat was diagnosed on April 27th with ovarian cancer, which was only three weeks before her passing. She and her husband, Steve Woods, BHS '70, were married on April 14, 1973, and recently had their 48th anniversary. They moved from Burbank to Colorado Springs 25 years ago in 1996. 

At BHS Pat was "Varsity Dog Walker" at the Varsity games, walking "Pleasant" the school mascot bulldog! Pat worked for Farmer's Home Mutual Insurance until early 1982, before her daughter and son were born in 1983 and 1985. For the last 15 years Pat worked as a PARA for special needs students at Woodmen Roberts Elementary School in Colorado Springs. 

Because of Pat's strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, her family is assured that at 8:20 on Wednesday morning, May 19th, she instantly entered her eternal HOME in HEAVEN.

Pat is survived by her husband, Steven K. Woods; her daughter, Laura Woods Longhenry; her son, Andrew Woods; son-in-law, A.J. Longhenry; daughter-in-law, Rachel Woods; and four grandchildren, Addison and Jacob Longhenry, and Aedin and Rylynn Woods. All of them live in Colorado Springs. Pat is also survived by two sisters, Dee Dee Morris Sincomb, BHS '74, of Southern California, and her family, and Diana Morris, BHS '77, also of Southern California; and sister-in-law, Penny Woods Austin, BHS '72, also of Colorado Springs, and her family. Pat was predeceased by her parents, Luther and Betty Morris, and by her in-laws, Harry and Irma Woods. 

Written by the late Alan Landros, BHS 1970

Shirley Ann Reed Schenck, BHS 1950

Shirley Ann Reed Schenck, BHS 1950

September 9, 1932 - October 10, 2015

Shirley Ann Reed Schenck was born on September 9, 1932 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Marion and Lorraine Reed. She grew up in southern California graduating from Burbank High School in 1950. She married the love of her life, Maurice Paul Schenck on Valentine's Day in 1952. 

She went home to be with the Lord on October 10, 2015 at the age of 83 at her home in Oroville, California. She stayed home, raising her three children until they were all teens. She went to work for Mosley's Blueprinting, managing the business for two owners. She then became the office manager for Thermalito Irrigation District, retiring in 1982 to travel with her husband. Together they traveled around the United States and then the world. They spent some time as missionaries and church planters. 

She is survived by her three children, Susan (Jim) Hoopes, W. Paul (Rosalie) Schenck, and Terri (Roger) Wells; eight grandchildren, seven great - grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters. Her memorial service will be held at the Foothill Blvd. Church of Christ in Oroville, California on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 10 am. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877

Sally Ann Kusch Szoke, BHS 1966

Sally Ann Kusch Szoke, BHS 1966

Submitted by Peggy Melton Cyphers

It's sad that I am doing this on my Christmas. 

On Monday December 22, 2025, we lost Sally Kusch Szoke ('66) to cancer.  Such a sweet person. She and Bob Szoke  ('66) were married for over 50 years. They had two children, Wendy and Mike. She is  missed!

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While in high school Sally was a member of the Legislative Council. No other details at this time. Prayers go out to her family and friends and fellow classmates at the lost of dear Sally just before the Christmas holidays. May she Rest in Peace.

Geneva D. Hoofman Chiabotti, BHS 1959

Geneva D. Hoofman Chiabotti, BHS 1959

24 Oct 1941 - 14 Mar 2019

Geneva D. Chiabotti passed away peacefully Thursday March 14, 2019 at her home in Benicia with her family by her side. She was born in Arkansas and lived in Benicia for the past 30 years. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1959 and worked as a banker for over 25 years, beginning at First Interstate Bank in Southern California, then transferring to Walnut Creek, and later at Wells Fargo Bank in Rossmoor before retiring in 1991.

She was a member of the Diablo A’s Model A Ford Club of America for more than 25 years. She was voted the most Outstanding Member of the club in 1996 and was it’s first Vest Lady. Geneva enjoyed gardening, sewing and traveling the United States as well as travelling to Italy, Germany, and France.

Her biggest love, however, was her family and being around as many of them as possible during holidays and other special times. Geneva was a regular at her grandchildren's ballgames, performances, graduations, births, and other special events. She was the rock of the family during the holidays and was famous for her cheesecake that was so beloved by her family.

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Geneva is survived by Paul, her husband for the past 58 years; son Stephen (Tracy) Chiabotti; daughter Nancy (Robert)Martinez; sister Brenda Rhoads; her grandchildren Allyssa (Chiabotti) Cabrera, Anthony, Dominic & Michaela Chiabotti and Matthew, Andrew, Vincent & Christopher Martinez; and her great grandchildren Ethan, William & Tyler Cabrera. She was preceded in death by her brother Wayne Hoofman, her sister Phyllis Hoofman, and her mother Verna Olsen.

Vigil services will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday March 21st at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 West 2nd Street, Benicia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 22nd at St. Dominic’s Church followed by burial in St. Dominic’s Cemetery. Visitation will be at the mortuary after 5:00 p.m. Thursday. Please visit the online tribute at www.passalacquafuneralchap.com

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Geneva D. Chiabotti please visit our Sympathy Store.

Previous Events

Vigil services

MAR 21. 7:00 PM (PT)

Passalacqua Funeral Chapel

901 W Second Street

Benicia, CA 94510

(707) 745-3130

info@passalacquafuneralchapel.com

https://www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com

Mass of Christian Burial

MAR 22. 10:30 AM (PT)

St Dominic's

475 East I Street

Benicia, Ca 97510

Donald Dewitt Lister, BHS 1956

Donald Dewitt Lister, BHS 1956

October 5, 1937 – January 14, 2022

In the care of Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

Donald Dewitt Lister, age 84, passed away January 14, 2022. Don was born on October 5th 1937 to Glyn and Audie Lister in Burbank California. Don and his sister Sherry attended Burbank High School, where he also met the love of his life, Belinda Billingham. They married and had 2 children, Glyn and Lucy. Don loved cars, gambling and Hawaii. In his 20’s he was spotted in the LA River drag racing and in his 80’s could be seen headed up and down PCH in his red ’32 Ford. He and Belinda loved life together. If they weren’t in Vegas or Hawaii, they were watching grand kids grow up and visiting Colorado. When Belinda passed, Don moved to Costa Mesa to be closer to his son. His final years were spent on Lido Island where he enjoyed a beautiful view and ocean breezes. He is survived by his sister Sherry Lister, son Glyn, daughter Lucy and his grandsons Wyatt, Henry and Max.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please play a hand of blackjack or poker in Don’s honor. We hope you win big!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Lister family.

Benjamin Yates Estes, BHS 1972

Benjamin Yates Estes, BHS 1972

Ben was born in Burbank, California, to Jack and Sally Estes on September 12, 1954. He was soon joined by the arrival of his brother Don and then sister Shannon. The family lived on Manning Street in Burbank where they were actively involved with neighbors, many whom are still friends today. Ben attended Providencia Elementary, Luther Burbank Jr. High and graduated from Burbank High School. Ben played on the Burbank Bulldogs football team and was a pitcher for their baseball team. He also played softball for Burbank Parks and Recreation for many years.

As a young adult, Ben studied business at Glendale Community College and held various jobs including working at Harveys in Lake Tahoe. Ben eventually went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Co. as a manufacturing control supervisor for the L-10-11 TriStar. He then moved on to working for the studios as a grip, where he eventually retired.

In 1990, Ben married Julie Ponek at St. Finbar Catholic Church. The two made their home in Santa Clarita. The birth of daughters, Shelby and Ally, brought much joy to the couple. As the girls became young adults, Ben took pride in their accomplishments. The family enjoyed many fun times together, which often included trips to the beach and Yosemite.

Ben was an avid fisherman, devoted Dodger fan, loved to cook and socialize. During one of his family trips to Crystal Cove he discovered a footballfish that had washed up on the shore. This rarely seen deep-sea creature is now in the National History Museum Ichthyology Collection.

On November 2, 2022, Ben unexpectedly passed away. He was a kind and generous son, husband, father, brother, uncle and nephew. Ben was pre-deceased by his father Jack Estes and nephew, Robert Donathan. He is survived by his mother, Sally Estes, wife, Julie Estes, daughters, Shelby and Ally, brother Don Estes (Ann), sister Shannon Donathan, aunt, Susan Burns, uncle, Peter Pierson and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that everyone who knew Ben pass along the same giving spirit he shared with others. Services will be held at 12 noon at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church located at 22508 Copper Hill Drive in Santa Clarita. A reception will follow at a nearby family home.

Published in the Burbank Leader, December 5, 2022

 

Mary Joann Freeman Sutro, BHS 1948

Mary Joann Freeman Sutro, BHS 1948

Joann Sutro, a longtime resident of Oakland, died peacefully in hospice in Concord, California, on September 19, 2024, at age 94.

At the time of her passing, Joann lived at Belmont Village Senior Living in Albany. Her activities there reflected lifelong interests. She had a passion for the outdoors and went for regular walks in the neighborhood. She maintained her connection to books through participation in their book club and shelving books in the library. Scrabble was her favorite game and she bested most opponents with her eclectic vocabulary.

In recent years, Joann volunteered at the Oakland Library’s Bookmark Bookstore in downtown Oakland. She collected books dating back to the 19th century, many of them related to California and Bay Area history. Her favorite authors ranged from Mark Twain to Stieg Larsson, Annie Proulx, and Barbara Kingsolver.

Joann was devoted to her large family, and she mailed birthday and holiday cards that arrived exactly on time. Each holiday season, her family looked forward to the lush green wreaths she sent.

Born in 1930 in Boulder, Colorado, to Adam and Suzanne Freeman, Mary Joann Freeman grew up in Colorado towns including Mancos, Olathe, and Basalt, as her father took jobs at various small public schools. She moved to Burbank when Adam switched careers to become an electrical engineer at Lockheed during World War II.

Joann attended Burbank High School. She was an excellent student and graduated in 1948. At Stanford University, she majored in anthropology. She enjoyed many Saturday afternoons at football games, including the annual Big Game between Stanford and UC Berkeley. When she was home in Burbank for the holidays, she was often a spectator at the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena.

While in college, Joann met Henry Sutro one summer in the beachside town of Carmel, where she worked as a waitress and performed in the water ballet. They were married in Burbank in 1951 in a candlelight ceremony.

After Henry completed dental school, they raised their children Dirk, Mark, and Karen at a home in the Oakland hills. The family took skiing vacations at Lake Tahoe and Joann became a good skier. She also excelled at tennis and frequently waxed her children at ping pong. She especially enjoyed wandering beaches at low tide, collecting driftwood and beachstones that she displayed around her home.

In the seventies, Joann was among volunteers who joined the effort to rescue and restore the Victorian-era Camron-Stanford house next to Lake Merritt in Oakland. Pursuing her interest in California history, she also earned a master’s degree in folklore at UC Berkeley in 1976, with a thesis focused on California Gold Rush humor.

An excellent and versatile writer, Joann was a longtime news editor at Bay City News Service, working for several decades with founders Richard (Dick) and Marcia (Schwalbe) Fogel, and Wayne Futak. She assigned reporters to cover news throughout the greater Bay Area, helping to set the agenda for media coverage in the region. Many young journalists, including current BCN owner Katherine Ann Rowlands, began their careers working for Joann and credit her with getting them off to a solid start in journalism and sparking their passion for the profession.

After Joann and Henry divorced, they remained good friends. At her own home in Montclair, Joann hosted countless family gatherings and summer visits. An ace at various card games, she organized bridge luncheons that included fellow Stanford alums Beverly Chavalas and Joan Tornlof.

Her seven grandchildren loved to visit their warm and friendly Grommy Jo, aka Mema, who always kept toys, art supplies, and children’s books on hand. Joann will be remembered for her kindness to everyone, for her curiosity and broad interests, and for helping those who were less fortunate. Most of all, she will be remembered for her deep and unconditional love of her family. They miss her very much as they celebrate her long and well-lived life.

Joann Sutro is survived by her children Dirk (Sally), Mark (Mia), and Karen (Jim); seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; Berta Harris (Dirk’s first wife, who remained close friends with Joann); nephew Paul Nepote; and niece Kathleen Nuckles. Joann’s former husband, Henry, pre-deceased her in 2012. Her younger sister Joyce Nuckles died in 2007.

No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, the Sutro family suggests that in keeping with Joann’s love of books and reading, donations be made to Friends of the Oakland Public Library, on behalf of its non-profit Bookmark Bookstore. https://www.fopl.org/the-bookmark

Published in: East Bay Times from December 22, 2024 to December 24, 2024

Floyd Cardwell Welles, BHS 1962

Floyd Cardell Welles, BHS 1962

July 27, 1943 - July 14, 2019 Floyd was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His father George Floyd Cardell died 3 weeks before his birth. Floyd and his sister Georgia moved to Burbank with relatives in 1949 after the death of their mother. Floyd and Georgia were adopted by George and Cassie Welles in 1953. 

Floyd attended Burbank High School and joined the Navy and served in helicopters aboard the USS Hornet in anti-submarine warfare. He graduated from Glendale College and Cal State San Bernardino. After working for Ford Motor Company, he joined his mother at CW Communications in Burbank in 1970. Floyd and his wife Patty expanded the telecommunications business, and ran it until 2016 when they sold it and retired. 

He is survived by his wife, Patty, son Rick, stepson Jason (Amy) Runcie, brothers Jeff (Mary Ann) and Bill (Kathy), sister Georgia Cardell, and numerous nieces and nephews. No services. Floyd will be buried in a national military cemetery. Find A Grave Memorial

Published by Los Angeles Times from Jul. 19 to Jul. 21, 2019.

Robert Warner Dussault, BHS 1931

Robert Warner Dussault, BHS 1931

The San Bernardino Sun, San Bernardino, California, March 31, 1978

Robert Dussault, Crestline, 64, a resident of Crestline died Monday in Tijuana. He was born in New York. He was a postal employee.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia and two daughters, Judy Mittelman of Encino and Irene Stagg of Lake Port.

Services are scheduled for 1:39 p.m. Saturday in the Church on the Hill, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills. Forest Lawn Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jeret K. Doiron, BHS 1988

Jeret K. Doiron, BHS 1988

Obituary published  by Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home Inc. on Dec. 15, 2025.

Jeret K. Doiron, 55, of Titusville, passed away Saturday morning December 13, 2025 at his residence.

Jeret was born on June 6, 1970 in Burbank, CA, a son of Will and Nancy Doiron.

He was a graduate of Burbank High School, class of 1988. Following graduation, he worked at a local veterinary hospital in Burbank and later with security at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank.

He then joined the US Army stationed at Ft. McClellan in Alabama where he trained for the Military Police Corps. He was honorably discharged to the Army reserves until he fulfilled his military obligation.

He then became employed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as Deputy Sheriff for 16 years from where he retired due to service related injuries. Through his experiences, he has developed a stronger faith in humanity and believes children are the bright hope of the future. He believed that what we put out into the world affects others.

Jeret was of the Methodist faith and was a former Sunday school teacher. He was a most generous, caring and giving person. He had written several children's books which benefited Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network and the Make A Wish Foundation.

Jeret is survived by his parents, Will and Nancy Doiron of Titusville; a sister, Lisa Doiron of Titusville; nephews, Michael Bakeman and Johnny Thomas of Titusville, and Ryan Thomas of Wrightwood, CA; and seven great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday December 18th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville, PA 16354 at which time a memorial service will be conducted with Mrs. Jacqueline Wagner officiating.

The family asks that memorials be made to the Titusville Area Food Bank 134 W. Central Ave. Titusville, PA 16354 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org