Claremont Obituaries
Grandfather, Army veteran, family man Lance Leo Kaggie, 83, of Claremont, died peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends, on Tuesday, January 27. Born on October 2, 1942, in Burley, Idaho, “Lance lived a life grounded in love, loyalty, and strength,” his family shared. “He was a loving son, an amazing husband, a devoted father, […]
Grandmother, long-time Chaffey school district employee, animal lover Linda Jane Arnold died peacefully on January 31 after a long battle with complications from diabetes. “Linda was a constant source of warmth and light and touched so many lives,” her family shared. “She was also a devoted animal lover and will be deeply missed, but never be forgotten.” […]
Lifetime activist, feminist, advocate for women, family matriarch Joyce Anderson Ride — a social activist known for her sharp wit and for being the mother of astronaut Sally Ride — died peacefully January 24 surrounded by family and friends at Pilgrim Place in Claremont. She was 102 years old. Joyce lived her life aligned with […]
Beloved father, husband, son, brother, and friend Karl Gregory Johnson, 52, was born in Boston and grew up in central Ohio, where he attended Upper Arlington High School. He then moved to Grinnell College, majoring in biology, and finished his education at UC San Diego and the University of Cambridge for his Ph.D. After his […]
Beloved mother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, librarian, voracious reader Beloved mother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, librarian, and voracious reader Lauren Cassatt, age 80, died peacefully on January 19. Lauren Margaret MacDonald was born in Boston on January 12, 1946, (part of that first wave of the baby boom generation) to Forrest and Helen MacDonald. She grew up […]
Grandmother, teacher, CUSD Board member, traveler, volunteer Joan Marie Westin Presecan was born November 11, 1940 in New York, New York to Fannie and Clinton Westin. After a short time in New York, the family moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan where Joan grew up along the shores of Lake Michigan with her older brother Robert […]
Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend Wendy Irving Hafner, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, died peacefully January 7 at the age of 71. She was born on July 29, 1954, in St. John’s, Quebec, to Eric Irving, a retired Canadian Air Force Sergeant, and Hazel Irving. During her childhood, her family lived in England for […]
Grandfather, artist, builder Paul Buchanan died peacefully January 16 at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. He was 73 years old and was surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin to Geraldine and Gordon Buchanan. The family moved to Westminster, California when he was a baby. His father was a longshoreman, and […]
“Jeanne lived a long and wonderful life with her peaceful passing on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, just before midnight. Her passing was timely as family celebrated her life in celebrating the New Year,” her family shared.
Son, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, soldier, police officer, and beloved friend to many, Louie R. Hernandez Jr. died on January 1.
Husband, father, grandfather, retired LAPD Deputy Chief “Kirk Albanese, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and lifelong servant to his community, died December 27, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer,” his family shared. “He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, love, and quiet strength that will live on through every life he touched. “Kirk […]
Great-grandmother, teacher, friend to many “With full hearts, we remember and celebrate our dear Margaret Ann Geerken who passed away on December 4, 2025,” her family shared. She was born to Dorothy and Russell Steele on September 16, 1938. The family was living in Panama at the time and as Americans, her birth certificate needed […]
Long-time Claremont resident Jeanne S. (Hazelton) Master died December 31, 2025, just minutes before the New Year. Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, January 31 at the Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave. A full account of her life will appear in a future edition of the Courier.
Grandfather, award-winning architect, designer, painter Jens Robert Lerback, age 69, died in Woodburn, Oregon, where he had lived for the past six years. His life was cut short when he was hit by a car while walking his dog at midday on December 19, 2025. Jens was born in Hawaii and lived on Maui and […]
Grandfather, longtime Claremont activist, devout Catholic “‘A love affair that ran nearly three quarters of a century’ is perhaps the best way to describe the life and times of Alfonso Thomas Villanueva, who left us on December 31, 2025,” his family shared. Born July 6, 1950 to Manuela “Nellie” Gutierrez Villanueva and Alfonso Villanueva Sr., […]
Renowned, award-winning anthropologist, trailblazing Pomona College professor Ralph L. Bolton II, 86, professor emeritus of anthropology at Pomona College, died December 3 while visiting a community of friends and writing about the culture of Tangier, Morocco. He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on October 28, 1939, attended high school at the Staunton Military Academy in […]
Travel agent, avid bridge player, volunteer, swimming instructor, Job’s daughter Patricia S. “Patsy” Adams, a long-time Claremont resident who also lived in Laguna Niguel for 30 years, died peacefully on October 8 at Hillcrest retirement community in La Verne. “She was a cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who embodied joyous energy through her sweet […]