All Obituaries

On November 24, 2022, Julia Cabanban passed away peacefully at age 89. Julia was the mother of three children. However, many people considered Julia as a mother figure in her neighborhood of Mesa Village. Born in Big Spring, Texas, Julia would say, with pride, that she was a  Tejana. Julia enjoyed going to Bingo, volunteering at the Second Harvest Foodbank, and volunteering at local churches and schools with their food distribution. Julia cared deeply for her family, friends and...

Rafael Murillo Chavez passed away unexpectedly on Sunday Nov. 20, 2022. He was born in Michoacan Mexico and raised in Watsonville California. Rafael was a 2011 Watsonville/Aptos Adult Education Alumni. Survived by his parents Rafael Chavez and Victoria Murillo De Chavez, multiple aunts, uncles and cousins. Proceed in death by his grandparents Federico Chavez, Guadalupe Chavez and Paulin Murillo.

On November 14, 2022, Louis T. Schiavon, passed on peacefully, with his wife Lea by his side… to be with our Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 102.  Louis, a self-made man was born November 16, 1919 to Antonio “Tony” Schiavon and Eugenia Cadorin Schiavon when they lived in the oil fields of Coalinga, California.  After moving to Freedom as a child he graduated from Watsonville High School in 1937.  He worked at S. Martinelli and Company and quickly became a...

John Anthony Lukrich, 88, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on November 8, 2022. Born on November 26, 1933, he attended Watsonville public schools and graduated Watsonville High in the class of 1952. Through his earliest years, he worked alongside his father, John M. Lukrich, a lifetime apple grower, and upon his father’s death, continued to build upon his father’s legacy and ultimately became one of the valley’s most prominent apple growers. Along...

Angie Mae Keith peacefully, passed at her home November 5, 2022. She was born on May 14th, 1938 in Watsonville, to Angelo and Gemma Luporini, immigrants from Lucca, Italy. Italian being her first language, she then learned English and Spanish. She had fond memories of fishing off the cement ship with her father, and cooking with her mother. Angie graduated from Watsonville Highschool in 1957 and then Hartnell College in 1959. She married in 1962, became a mother in 1963, and her second child...

Shirley Ann Rowe passed peacefully on November 2, 2022, in Madera Ca. She was 68 years old. Shirley was born on December 29, 1953, in Maywood, Ca to her parents Donald Lee Rowe and Donna Salvage.   She is preceded in death by her mother Donna Salvage and sister Mary Rowe.  She is survived by her father Donald Lee Rowe and brothers; John Rowe and Don Rowe Sr.  her children; Richard Rowe (Diana Rowe), Lynette Valdez (Roger Jones), Rachel Valdez (Tommy Sudjaidee),...

Sumiko Matsunami, a resident of Watsonville, California, passed away on October 29, 2022. She was 80 years of age. Sumiko was born on December 9, 1941, in Yamaguchi-Ken Japan to Tadashi Murakami & Tomiko Fujimoto. Sumiko, married Sadao Matsunami on December 16, 1964. After this day, her wonderful life with Sadao in Watsonville began. Sadao and Sumiko lived an incredible life together. They were the definition of a devoted and loving couple. Sumiko and Sadao were inseparable and worked...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michelle Nadolski.  Shelly was a special person that touched the hearts and lives of many.  Shelly passed with her husband Ed by her side after an eight month battle with cancer.  She was able to say goodbye to friends and family the night of her passing.   Michelle met Ed Nadolski in 1980. They were married in 1986, and were together for over 36 years, spending their entire lives together in Watsonville. ...

Our beloved Joyce Birdie Nunes, A.K.A. Grandma Butterfly has left us to join the Lord in Heaven on October 25th. Aged 80 years. She is survived by her husband Joe R. Nunes, daughter Heidi, and son John. She was Grandma Butterfly to 7 grandkids and Great Grandma to 6. Joyce will also leave behind her Ministry of Love as she was devoted to bringing Peace, Love, and Joy to many convalescent homes in the Bay Area. An expert in conversation and an amazing listener, she has touched so many. Her...

Raymond M. Panis Sr. died on October 19, 2022. He was 85. Raymond was born on June 20, 1937 in San Jose, California to Victor and Josephine Panis. He grew up in Gilroy and attended Gilroy Highschool. Thereafter, Raymond joined the National Guard. After becoming a father, he joined the Watsonville Firefighters as a volunteer, and he retired from Santa Cruz County Public Works Department. Post retirement, he worked part-time at Orchard Supply. Raymond was an avid gardener, fisherman, loved the...