Claremont Obituaries
Grandfather, restaurateur, Catholic priest José Caetano Medeiros — “Joe” — died February 15 at the age of 88, leaving behind a life defined by faith, resilience, service, and unwavering devotion to family. Born in Santa Barbara, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal, to Joao Caetano Medeiros and Angelina de Lourdes Pereira, Joe grew up rooted in the […]
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 […]
Great-grandmother, professor, champion of Claremont artists, CLMA was 100 Marguerite Loyau McIntosh led a long and remarkable life full of art and culture, from Paris to Claremont. She died peacefully at age 100 on November 22 at her home in Mt. San Antonio Gardens. A vibrant member of the Claremont art scene for more than […]
Beloved matriarch, great-grandmother, traveler, Realtor Anna Sylvia Platte, known to family and friends as Sylvia, died peacefully on November 19. Born on February 26, 1934, in Roseville, Michigan, she was the sixth of 14 children. Sylvia attended St. Gertrude’s High School in Saint Clair Shores, where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, […]
Teacher, sailor, community activist Marian Katherine Prindle was born on December 20, 1929 in Syracuse, New York. Her parents were Egbert Michael Prindle and Lena Elizabeth (Rhoads) Prindle. Her father had a daughter, Helen, from his prior marriage. Marian remained close to Helen and her children. Her dad died when she was 6 years old. […]
Mother, grandmother, licensed clinical social worker Claremont resident Frances Lillian O’Leary (nee Bock) died peacefully at home on November 14 at age 88 after a long battle with cancer. She was born at St. Vincent hospital in Los Angeles on January 10, 1937, to Albert C. Bock and Ellen M. Bock (nee Sweeney), the fourth […]
Great-grandfather, long-time CMC professor, coach, traveler Long-time Claremont resident, Gerald (Jerry) Irwin Eyrich, died peacefully on the morning of September 20th at the age of 95. Jerry was born in Spokane, Washington on May 7, 1930 to Henry and Victoria Eyrich, joining his older brother, Ric. “He was a proud graduate of Lewis and Clark […]
Arbol Verde native, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt Yolanda Villanueva Lobo died peacefully in her Arbol Verde home on November 2. Ms. Lobo, a life-long Arbol Verde east barrio resident, was 76 years old. Ms. Lobo was a descendant of Leonardo and Petra Gutierrez, early pioneers who settled in the Upland section of the […]
Great-grandfather, educator, author was 102 George Wickes, distinguished educator, author, scholar, and former intelligence officer during World War II, died peacefully on October 9 at the age of 102. Born in Antwerp, Belgium on January 6, 1923, to a Belgian mother and American father, George grew up in upstate New York. His parents had decided […]
Pioneering minister, professor, volunteer The Rev. Barbara B. Troxell died of cancer on October 17 shortly after her 90th birthday at her Pilgrim Place home in Claremont. Those who knew her, especially younger women clergy, described her as a pioneering spiritual guide and source of encouragement and deepened faith who lived as a follower of […]
Grandfather, longtime Pitzer professor, author, traveler “Although I have done many things that I regret and not a few of which I am ashamed, I cannot say that I wish my life had been different.” Said Ronald Kerr Steven Macaulay, who died peacefully on Friday, September 26. He was 97 years old. Born on November […]
Lawyer, educator, long-time Democratic organizer, fundraiser, volunteer Zephyr Tate Mann died August 23, while undergoing treatment for cancer. Zephyr was born in Overton, Texas to Zachariah and Annie Belle Wilson (later Watson). “Zachariah and Annie Belle must have known right away that Zephyr would be a changemaker: the couple gave their only daughter a name […]
Grandfather, proud Marine, entrepreneur George Charles Ash Jr., of Upland, died peacefully on October 22. He was 81. George was born December 23, 1943, in Tampa, Florida, the son of a Texaco executive. His family relocated often during his childhood, giving him the opportunity to attend many schools in the southern United States. At 17, […]
Jean Watkins Beckner, longtime Claremont resident, beloved librarian of rare books and amateur naturalist, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, surrounded by family. She was 98. Born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Jean was an accomplished sailor, often taking out her small sloop by herself. Her father, Richard Howells Watkins, was a journalist for […]