All Obituaries

JOAQUIN “JACK’ CABRERA January 29, 1958 – June 23, 2018     Jack Cabrera, 60, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital surrounded by his devoted wife, loving children and many family members, including the spiritual strength of this beloved mother, sharing love and support. Jack came from humble beginnings in a small village in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Through family struggles, they immigrated to the U.S. in 1963...

Luz Carrera died June 22, 2018, at Watsonville Community Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was 77. She was born in Zacatecas, Mexico to Pascual and Francisca Acuńa on December 28, 1940. Luz was a long time resident of Watsonville for 48 years. She loved spending time with her family. Luz was a great cook and enjoyed cooking for all of her family events. She liked to stay busy and work with her hands. Luz also enjoyed listening to Banda music. She is survived by her husband...

Floreso “Flor” M. Victory passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on June 22, 2018 in Watsonville, CA at the age of 93.  Mr. Victory was born on January 7, 1925 in Pu’unene, Hawaii to Leon Victory and Belnarda Meriales.  At age 13 he moved to the Philippines and in April 1946 married his wife, Emeliana.  In 1979, Mr. Victory returned to the United States, settling in Watsonville. Mr. Victory is survived by his wife, Emeliana; five sons,...

Marilyn (Travers) Gunkle Marilyn Gunkle passed away June 19th 2018 from complications of dementia.  Marilyn was born to parents, Joseph Travers Sr. and Isabelle (Gomes) Travers January 18th, 1932 in Watsonville, Ca.   She lived in Watsonville area her entire life. Marilyn attended Casserly School and Watsonville High School, graduating in 1950. Marilyn married Robert Gunkle in 1956 and was married for twenty four years before his passing in 1980. Marilyn’s first...

Maria Candelaria “Cande” Arredondo died June 12, 2018, at Watsonville Community Hospital with her family by her side.  She was 61.   She was born in Mexicali, Baja California to Jorge and Maria de Jesus Arredondo.  After moving to Watsonville in 1975, she worked for NorCal-Crosetti Frozen Foods for 20 years.  Mrs. Arredondo loved being with her family and taking care of them, especially her grandchildren. Mrs. Arredondo is survived by her sons, Manuel,...

Longtime resident of Watsonville, Lillian Etow, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 10, 2018. Mrs. Etow was born Chiyoko Yoshizumi, the fourth and youngest child of sharecroppers, Heigoro and Tsuru Yoshizumi on June 16, 1929. Mrs. Etow’s greatest joys in life were her grandchildren. She embodied the essence of “Grandma”, from baking amazing apple pies and turnovers from her own trees, making delicious home cooked meals to knitting and...

Former resident of Watsonville, Dolores Ann Halward, 58, passed away on June 7, 2018. It was an extraordinary, love-filled life cut unexpectedly short. Dolores was born in Degollado, Jalisco, Mexico in July 1959. She was raised by her parents, Gonzalo and Elodia Ruiz, and brought up in a beautiful home along with her 9 younger siblings. Her desire for adventure and new experiences led her to meet and soon after marry her soulmate, Richard L. Halward. She was blessed with two wonderful...

Mary Lipanovich passed away peacefully on June 6th, surrounded by her loved ones.  Mary was born August 9th, 1929 to Yele Kusalich and Rado Cumo in Mocici Konavle Croatia. She came to Watsonville in July of 1957 to live and care for her Aunt Lucy Braycovich. A few months later she was introduced to Tony, another Croatian that at the time was a butcher in Oakland.  They fell in love quickly and Tony and Mary were married in April 1958 and they started their new lives together with...

Erik Hoppe died on June 4, 2018 at his home, with his wife by his side. He was 69. Mr. Hoppe was born in Long Beach, California on June 20, 1948 to John Hoppe and Venecia Mortensen. He was an owner and operator of a local, wholesale nursery for 50 years. He enjoyed restoring old cars and making furniture out of wood or wrought iron. Mr. Hoppe also enjoyed going on family camping trips. He is survived by his wife Sandra Hoppe of 49 years, his 2 children: Jeannette Hoppe Willson and Robert...