Judith Macdonald

Judith Alexandra Macdonald, a long time resident of Laguna Beach, died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, with her two daughters, Rhea Foley and Rebecca Judy, by her side.

Born Dec. 2, 1945, in Pasadena, Judy was the newest member of a prominent Pasadena family and was raised amongst exotic animals, which her sculptress mother used as studies. With a pet hyena, jaguarondi, baboon, and many other creatures as childhood friends, she formed a pronounced bond with animals for the entirety of her life. Her teenage years were molded by exotic trips to Europe alongside her grandmother, traipsing from country to country by train with pet turtle “Miss Tur-Tel” in tow.

With a personality and smile larger than life, Macdonald was perhaps most well known for her time singing back-up for the Mama’s and Papa’s, along with other bands of the era. Her marriage to Ted Bluechel, a drummer in the band The Association, resulted in a daughter, Rhea, and a continued life of extravagance in Malibu with their pet otters, Toots and Otto.

In the mid ‘70s, Macdonald left the music scene and moved with her daughter to Laguna Beach, where she quickly became a colorful member of the community. It was here she married a second time to local dentist Mark Judy and took on her infamous name Judy Judy. In 1979, Judy and Mark welcomed a daughter into the world, Rebecca. The couple divorced in 1990.

Later, Macdonald started a new career teaching CPR at the former South Coast Medical Center where she worked for years educating local firemen, police, and lifeguards. It was there that she met her soon to be husband, John Falk, a Laguna Beach police officer. Their marriage ended in 1998. Although Macdonald was proud of her work and loved her local officials, she was most proud of working with the Anaheim Angels. An avid baseball fan at heart, her most prized possession was a baseball she asked to be signed by not all of the players, but by all of their wives after training the team one year.

Her smile, laugh, and sense of humor are her legacy, and we thank her for the joy and laughter she brought to all of our lives.

Macdonald is survived by her two daughters Rhea and Rebecca, son-in-law Mike Foley, two grandchildren Shaylee Foley and Jake Foley, and her brother Alex Macdonald.

A celebration will be held in her honor at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

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Ezat Pakpour

Ezat Babazadeh Pakpour was a warm-hearted woman, known for her strength, endearing stubbornness and unmatchable sense of humor. Never straying from a strong and positive conviction for her beliefs, she never complained about life and could find humor in the most challenging situations.

Ezat was born on June 10, 1917, as one of 10 siblings in Tehran, Iran. She married Moyer Pakpour and had two children, Farideh and Houschang.

She was one of the only women to run her own business in currency exchange in Tehran, Iran. Just before the Iranian Revolution came to its height in the late ‘70s, she had a premonition that times would get very tough there. Against the wishes of her family, she insisted they move to the U.S. to pioneer a better life. They ran a motel in Buena Park near Knott’s Berry Farm.

The latter part of her life was spent living overlooking Fisherman’s Cove in Laguna Beach. She would dip in the water everyday regardless of the temperature. She would host and feed any family member or friend that knocked on her door, and feed the leftovers to the birds on the beach.

She passed away on Jan. 18, 2015, peacefully and surrounded by love by her family in her daughter’s home in Laguna Beach.

She is survived by her siblings Aziz and Eftekhar, daughter Farideh and son Houschang. She will never be forgotten by the Moritz family, including Claude, Margo, Jonathan, Elodie, Gaspard; the Pakpour family including Dorthe, Victor, and Leah; and her plentiful Persian family.

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Former Festival of Arts artist and Laguna Beach resident Lu Campbell passed away on Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at home with her husband, John, and daughter Darcy by her side. Campbell had been fighting lung cancer since 2007.

John and Lu Campbell

Lu was born in Whittier, Calif., on Feb. 19, 1932, to Harold and Marion Weaver. Her given name was Zella Ivalu Weaver, after her two aunts. Her family moved to Scotia, Calif., where she attended Fortuna High School and when she changed her name to Lu.

She graduated from San Jose State University in 1956, where she received a bachelor of arts in interior design. She moved to Laguna Beach in 1960 with her late ex-husband Tom Murphine, former editor of The Daily Pilot newspaper, and their three children, Tommy, Matt and Darcy.

She studied ceramics under Romona Gilbrait, William O. Payne, Wallace Parker and Howard Warner at Orange Coast College. Her ceramic work was displayed at the campus and in galleries in her hometown. From 1963 to 1978, Lu showcased her pottery at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach.

Lu met husband-to-be John Campbell at a wedding on Swallow’s Day, March 19, 1977, and afterwards shared a drink at the Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano. They married a little more than a year later in Laguna Beach at the Methodist Church.

At the time, John worked in insurance and Lu in real estate while establishing herself as an artist. They seemed like an unlikely pair with an age difference of 18 years, but their relationship has the admiration of many of their friends. Every year for 36 years on Swallow’s Day, Lu and John returned to the Swallows Inn in celebration of the fateful day they met.

One of Lu Campbell’s art works.

During a remodel of their home in 1985, Lu made the difficult decision to give away all her ceramic supplies, including her kiln. She soon missed creating art, but discovered her natural talent for painting. In 1990, her works were accepted for the prestigious exhibits of Watercolor West and the National Watercolor Society, where she was a signature member and served on its board. Her award-winning paintings also were exhibited in the Festival of Arts from 1994 to 2011. Her hope was “to capture human moments and translate them into paintings with light, color, and shapes that resonated with the viewer.”

Campbell also enjoyed biking, golfing and softball and traveling with John, visiting over 35 countries. She was the most passionate about Italy, where the couple purchased a home. Its culture influenced her artwork. She was also committed to improving Laguna and served on the city’s original Board of Adjustment / Design Review Board.

Campbell will be remembered for her infectious laugh, quick smile, brightness, kindness and enthusiasm for life.

She is survived by her husband John Campbell, son Tom Murphine and daughter Darcy Murphine, two grandchildren Seth and Melia Murphine and great grandson Marcus Murphine. Campbell was pre-deceased by son Matt Murphine.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 Saint Ann’s Dr. A celebration of life reception will immediately follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Laguna Beach Rotary Club Foundation in Lu Campbell’s name.

The post Lu Campbell, Festival of Arts Exhibitor, Dies at 82 appeared first on Laguna Local News.

By Bolton Colburn, Special to the Independent

Richie White                                                   Photo by Ross Whitaker

Richie White, a well-known contemporary ceramic artist and professor at Saddleback College’s Art Department, died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at his home in San Clemente.

Former students, peers, friends and family flocked to the campus in Mission Viejo this past Sunday, Feb. 8, to remember White at a New Orleans’ style potluck and second line march led by five jazz musicians. The procession culminated by partly encircling a veterans’ memorial White recently completed with Fred Olsen, one of the largest freestanding ceramic pieces in the United States.

White was born in Palo Alto, Calif., in 1952 and received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and his master’s in fine arts from Alfred University, N.Y. His art is in the permanent collections of the Long Beach Museum of Art, Laguna Art Museum, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art among others.

His body of work ranges from large public art projects and fired-in-place performances to small-scale figurative works and drawings. He had taught in the ceramics department at Saddleback since 1998 and served as the department chair from 2002-2010.

The veterans’ memorial at Saddleback College created by Richie White and Fred Olson.

White is among a group of second- generation California ceramic artists based in the Orange County area (including Tony Marsh, Marlo Bartels, Jon Stokesbary, Scott and Naomi Schoenherr, and Ricardo Duffy) that has taken ceramics into the field of contemporary art, obscuring the boundaries between ceramics and art. White pushed the envelope further by insisting that the process of making ceramics, especially the ritual aspects of firing ceramics, be considered as important an artistic expression as the final object itself.

White delighted in lively conversation about art and its indefinable nature. He had a huge following of fellow artists and friends. An outpouring of personal tributes to the artist can be seen on his Facebook page under the name of Richard White. His art, including photographs from his fired in place performances can be seen at www.richardwhiteart.com.

White is survived by his daughters Isabelle and Madeline White; his former wife, the actress Nancy Hartman White, who remains his longtime friend; and brother Thomas E. White.

Donations can be made in White’s name to the Saddleback College Foundation at https://www.saddlebackcollegegiving.org/richiewhite. Please contact Jon Ginnaty at Saddleback College (jginnaty@saddleback.edu, 949-582-4024) for more information on how to make a contribution.

Bolton Colburn is the former executive director of the Laguna Art Museum.

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Deirde Naughton

Deirdre Carmel Ann Naughton, fashion maven and former Hollywood costume designer, passed away in Los Angeles on Feb. 27. She was 63.

Naughton, who was always referred to as Dee, was a long time Hollywood resident. Born on Friday the 13th in the West of Ireland, she lived full-time in the United States.

In the 1970s, Naughton attended the Fashion Institute of Design in New York, where she won awards for her fashion and costume designs. While living in New York she embraced the city’s vibrant nightlife. She loved going to nightclubs and parties with fellow artists and designers such as Halston, Elsa Peretti, and the Andy Warhol crowd. She was a regular at the Max Kansas City nightclub and the legendary Studio-54 discothèque. After spending a couple of years in New York, she returned to California, where she resumed studies in fashion and costume design at UCLA.

Naughton completed her thesis on kabuki theater costume designs. She taught costume design courses through UCLA extension program.  The late actor Carroll O’Connor gave Naughton her first job as a television costumer by arranging for her to work on the hit television show “All in the Family.” She went on to enjoy a highly successful career as a costume designer for television, movies, musicals, and the theater. She was the costume designer for such hit television shows as “Head of the Class,” “One Day at a Time,” “Eight is Enough,” “Square Pegs,” “A Different World,” and numerous other television shows.  She was also the principle costume designer for many plays and musicals, such as “Guys and Dolls” starring Milton Berle, and the movie “Penitentiary.”

Naughton’s career as a costume designer ended in the late 1980s due to injuries she sustained from a car accident.  She spent her remaining years collecting designer and vintage clothing, accessories, and antiques. Naughton was stuck by a car on Dec. 11 while walking home.

She leaves behind her brother Kevin Naughton, his wife Jocelyn, her sister Clare and her brother Brian as well as one niece, three nephews, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Her fashion sense, kindness, and flair for style will be missed by all.

Memorial services are pending.

The post Deirdre Naughton appeared first on Laguna Local News.

Mary Jo Mancuso

Laguna lost a bright star and true Laguna original on March 1 with the passing of Mary Jo Mancuso. She would have been 80 on March 6.

Mancuso was actively and energetically involved with a host of causes and organizations dating back to 1969, when the family first moved to Laguna, until a major fall-related injury in 2014 confined her to the hospital for most of the year.

Many Laguna people know that the Mancusos owned Giovanni’s from 1969 until 1984, and in that capacity, Mary Jo served as a surrogate mother and guide to many Laguna kids who worked at the store, either in North Laguna or the Main Beach location. She could often be seen sunning herself at Diver’s Cove on a Monday when the store was closed, or even sometimes in the middle of the day if it was not too busy.

As a multi-term president of the Soroptimists, and a member of Laguna Ebell, Mancuso exerted a positive impact both locally and more internationally. She served on scholarship committees that helped many LBHS graduates extend their education. Through Soroptimists International, she supported women’s shelters, scholarships for retraining women, and the promotion of women’s rights internationally. Locally, Mancuso was also a primary force behind Laguna obtaining the first “Jaws of Life” and K-9 patrol. She was actively involved with TOW Neighborhood Watch and greatly enjoyed participating in disaster drills.

Mancuso and husband John were also very involved with the local schools, whether T.O.W. or Thurston PTAs, or the LBHS Boosters. People may remember the many spaghetti dinner fundraisers at Thurston or for the LBHS football team with food provided by Giovanni’s and the Mancusos.

Mancuso also taught religious education for St. Catherine’s in the 1970s, and was involved in the Women’s Council in more recent years. She and her husband sang in St. Catherine’s choir for 25 years.

Daughter Stephanie stayed in Laguna and as her kids attended Laguna schools, Mancuso became re-involved with the Girl Scouts. In that phase of her life of community service, Mancuso oversaw the One Warm Coat collection, which by last count had distributed over 1,000 coats to people in need.

To list all of the people, places and causes to which Mancuso applied her creativity and energy would take another lifetime because she lived each day in service to community. She was a bright, shiny star whose legacy lives on with four surviving daughters (Margaret, Stephanie, Susanne, and Joan), their six children and with all the thousands of children and adults whose lives she touched over the years in a lifetime of service.

A remembrance and space for sharing will be held at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills on Thursday, March 12 from 5 to 7 pm.

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Our beloved son, John Miklos Horvath, who was born April 26, 1969, passed away on March 9, 2015.

He leaves behind a son, a sister and her family, and his mother Elizabeth Horvath, a registered nurse. We will never forget him and we will always love him for eternity

The post John Horvath appeared first on Laguna Local News.

By Jack Casey, Special to the Independent

John Hedges, my dear friend from Laguna Beach, left us Saturday, March 14. Although I live across the country in upstate New York, our families have shared much over the past 40 years. His beloved Barbara asked if I would write something to honor his memory, and I offer these recollections.

John S. Hedges

In the summer of 1972, I joined college friends to paint houses in Laguna Beach, and we bought our supplies from John Hedges Paint & Glass on Forest Avenue. Walking into his shop was a step back into old Laguna. In his fisherman’s cap, moustache, pipe and twinkle in his eye, he often shared his experiences of growing up in Laguna. You knew your day just took a turn for the better.

He opened his store at 7:30 each morning by hanging the stars and stripes above the door. There was a palpable glow in his store that’s impossible to capture but we all felt it.

Hedges harkened back to a simpler time. His parents and sister, Harriet, moved to Laguna Beach in 1934, where his father built beach cottages when Laguna was a sleepy artist colony. He joined the Navy the day after he graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1944 and fought for his country in the South Pacific. In 1955, he opened his store on Forest Avenue, across the street from what was then the Laguna Beach Lumber Mill. He owned and operated his store for 35 years. Even the family dog, Otis Bear, was drawn to the store atmosphere, unless he was sneaking off to the beach or begging for a bone from a butcher at Acord’s Market.

For the summer of ‘73, Hedges invited me to work with him in his store. I loved it. Each day was like an old movie with unexpected twists and odd characters. It was the best job I ever had. Years later, John and Barbara visited me in Edinburgh when I was in graduate school. He was a world-class dart player, and we held the dartboard at Deacon Brodie’s Pub on the Royal Mile for three hours to the amazement of the cynical Scots.

Hedges closed the door to his store for the last time in 1990. However, new doors were opened as he pursued his many interests. He and Barbara spent the following years enjoying travelling and lawn bowling. He also enjoyed landscape painting, vegetable gardening and restoring his ‘38 Ford.

Hedges is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, John; daughter, Karen; sister, Harriet; grandson, John; granddaughter-in-law Nicole and one great- grandson.

Jack Casey is a novelist, playwright and songwriter who lives in Troy, N.Y.

The post John S. Hedges 1926-2015 appeared first on Laguna Local News.

Lynda Brown

What a beautiful, caring and loving soul, Lynda Georgina Brown, born April 24, 1946, and left this existence Feb. 14, 2015, after a four year illness caused by the superbug known as “C-Diff.”

Originally from England, Brown moved to Laguna in 1979 with her partner, Mary Lou, thus fulfilling her life-long dream of living in Laguna Beach.

Over the past 36 years, Brown brought to Laguna her artistic creativity by restoring six different properties in town. She was not only a creator, she was a mom, cosmetologist, realtor, physic,massage therapist and artist. She was successful in all of her professions, but what she loved most was creating. She could replicate the essence of love and life by exploring the many dimensions of spirit and mystical entities, yet address the realism of everyday life through her art.

When she finally was accepted into the Sawdust Festival some 10 years ago, she and Mary Lou found another property for her to take on. Thus, she dropped entering the Festival to opt for what was to be her last creative accomplishment and she turned the Glenneyre log cabins from ruins into her blank canvass and created a charming enclave of four beautiful residences.

A “mighty mouse” in the department of human relationships, she was always there to help those in need. Whether it be to help a toddler diagnosed with leukemia when Lynda was only age 4, or to love and care for HIV and AIDS victims in her later years, Brown believed that everyone is a precious human treasure only desiring love, understanding and acceptance.

She will be missed by so many. Brown is survived by her partner of 39 years, Mary Lou, her two children, Stacy and Ian, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren whom she did not have the chance to meet.

Brown loved people, music and life! Friends are welcome to come by on Friday, April 24, at 1254 Glenneyre St., from 5 to 9 p.m. to celebrate her life and remember the fun times we all shared with her.

The post In Memoriam appeared first on Laguna Local News.

Lynda Georgina Brown, a beautiful, caring and loving soul born April 24, 1946, left this existence

Feb. 14, 2015, after a four-year illness caused by the Superbug known as C. Diff.

Originally from England, Brown moved to Laguna in 1979 with her partner, Mary Lou, thus fulfilling her life-long dream of living in Laguna Beach.

Over the past 36 years, Brown brought to Laguna her artistic creativity by restoring six different properties in town. She was not only a creator, she was a mom, cosmetologist, realtor, psychic, massage therapist and an artist. She was successful in all of her professions, but what she loved most was creating. She could replicate the essence of love and life by exploring the many dimensions of spirit and mystical entities yet address the realism of everyday life through her art.

When she finally was accepted into the Sawdust Festival some 10 years ago, she and Mary Lou had found another property for renovation. Thus, she dropped entering the Festival to opt for what was to be her last creative accomplishment and she turned the Glenneyre log cabins from ruins into her blank canvases and created a charming enclave of four beautiful residences.

A “mighty mouse” in the department of human relationships, she was always there to help those in need. Whether it be to help a toddler diagnosed with leukemia when Brown was only age 4 or to love and care for HIV and AIDS victims in her later years, Brown believed that everyone is a precious human treasure only desiring love, understanding and acceptance. She will be missed by so many.

Brown is survived by her partner of 39 years, Mary Lou; her two children, Stacy and Ian; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, whom she did not have the chance to meet.

Brown loved people, music and life! Friends are welcome to come by on Friday, April 24, at 1254 Glenneyre St., from 5 to 10 p.m. to celebrate her life and remember the fun times we all shared with her.

The post Lynda Brown appeared first on Laguna Local News.

Jose Rosales

Jose Rosales was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on March 19, 1950. He was one of nine children. He moved to Mexico City in his teens to follow his dream of becoming a public accountant. There, he met his future wife, Leah, and came to Laguna Beach in 1971 where they were married and began a life together.

Over the following 30 years, he worked exclusively in Laguna as a painter and renovator, refurbishing homes with his personal sense of style and exceptional pride of workmanship.

During this time, he was divorced and remarried Laura Zamora in 1992.

In March of 2015, he traveled to Aguascalientes for the services of his older sister who had died from a stroke. While there, he celebrated his 65^th birthday, one of the happiest days of his life surrounded by his siblings and family. Three days later, he suffered a massive heart attack and died.

He loved his family in Laguna and made many trips to Mexico to see his siblings and parents. He loved music and chatting with friends at local Laguna restaurants. Most of Laguna would see him as he walked around Laguna by foot.

Rosales is survived by his wife, Laura Zamora; and his sons, Gabriel and Neftali, all of Dana Point; and by his daughter, Yanira Zamora Pich, of Long Beach. He will be sorely missed by his family and all his Laguna friends of many years.

Services for Rosales will be held at the Laguna Presbyterian Church at 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach on Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jose’s name to: The Laguna Beach Canyon Club at www.canyonclub.org

The post Jose Rosales appeared first on Laguna Local News.

By Michelle Rice Doherty, Special to the Independent

Marion Flora Ohanesian Rice

Dec. 13, 1937—March 10, 2015

If you drove down Catalina Street any sunny Saturday, you were bound to catch a glimpse of one of Marion Rice’s signs pointing the way to another fabulous garage sale. Marion’s well-known sales were among the best places to be in Laguna Beach. In front of her yellow bungalow, built in 1917, you’d browse ornate collectibles or find that classic LP. But you soon realized you weren’t there for the sale. You became part of the neighborhood as you chatted with Marion, watching friends, young and old, wave on their way to the beach. You marveled at the activity that surrounded this inviting woman who knew practically everyone in town.

Marion Rice

Perhaps you barely knew her, but when she asked “How ‘bout a cup of coffee?” you readily accepted. Wherever you were headed that morning no longer seemed important.

Marion, who passed away March 10, at 77 years old, grew up in Watertown, Mass., where she was fun-loving from an early age, often organizing social gatherings and adventurous outings. In her teens, yearning to be at the center of action, she landed a job as a disc jockey for the local radio station. She later reminisced with fondness upon this carefree time in her life.

Marion attended Mount Auburn School of Nursing in the late 1950s, where she met some of her dearest, lifelong friends. She also met her future husband, Edward Kitchen, during this time, and they were married in 1957. By 26, she was the mother of four.

In 1969, Marion boldly packed up all babes and flew west to begin a new life in California.

She, her new husband, Arthur Rice, and her children, Edward, Bradley, William, Lynda, and soon-to-be-born Michelle, moved to Laguna Beach in the summer of 1970. Although she longed for family in the east, Marion lived in her beloved Laguna for almost 45 years.

In 1985, she found new life as “grandma,” enjoying her grandson, Brendan. She looked forward to summers he’d spend with her, which were some of the happiest of her years. Childlike, herself, she brought humor and playfulness into his life and an enduring bond of love.

As the very hearth around which her family revolved, she bound them together in rich tradition and a lasting sense of home.

But Marion’s “family” reached well beyond the bounds of her household. As friend and second mom to many, her home became known as “Hotel Catalina.” Her brother, Roger, often teased her regarding the “eclectic” characters he’d encounter there. She celebrated people’s eccentricities as they, too, cherished hers.

In latter years, Marion volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Exchange Club, where she participated in such landmark events as the Patriots Day Parade, Hospitality Night, and Pancake Breakfast. She also enjoyed staging productions at No Square Theatre and judging high school shows on the MACY Awards panel.

Among her favorite memories, she’d recall with a beaming grin, were those early mornings she’d spend teaching burly firemen how to make pancakes “just right.”

Former Chamber director Sande St. John professes, “She was my right hand for over 20 years and the most loving, giving, caring person to all who knew her.”

Also a much-loved member of Laguna Church by the Sea, Pastors Jay Grant and Jeff Tacklind, who officiated her memorial service on March 29, express heartache on behalf of the congregation. “I am deeply saddened over this loss,” says Grant. Tacklind affirms, “I, for one, will miss that twinkle in her eye, like she was always up to something. Whatever it was, I wanted to be in on it. She had such life and joy in the flash of her smile that brought something more out of each one of us.”

She possessed paradoxical characteristics, too. As a behind-the-scenes team player, she often turned out the leader of the show. She coveted old-fashioned values while being an original thinker. Marion, unassuming and accepting of all, embodied what it meant to “live and let live.”

If there was an adventure to be had, Marion was game. Whether riding horses on dude ranches or trekking Thai jungles, she inspired others’ risk-taking. Her cousin Linda reminisces, “She talked me into doing things I never would’ve done without her. I saw so much because of her.”

Marion will be sorely missed.

On sunny Saturdays, Catalina Street is quieter. We still look for signs to her house, brimming with collectors, family, and passerby, soon-to-be called “friend.”

She left an indelible mark on the world.

A week before her passing, she placed a note in her son’s pocket expressing, “I’ll love you more than you will ever know.”

We love you, Marion, more than you will ever know.

Rest in peace, precious one.

The author is Marion Rice’s daughter.

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Paul Donald Zehner

November 23, 1928- April 18, 2015

Paul Zehner

Paul Donald Zehner was called home by Our Heavenly Father at the age of 86.

Zehner was a retired electrical engineer, a strong leader in his church, a husband, father, brother and friend to many.

He will be forever missed and remembered by his loving wife Carolyn; children Philip, Laurie and Kimberly; grandchildren Thomas, Nicholas, Isabella, Emma, Payton, Angelina, Michael and Jack; son-in-law Brian and daughter-in-law Monica. He is additionally survived by his sister Nancy Richards, nephew Lee, niece Diane and great niece Becky.

Last respects will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Laguna Presbyterian

Church, 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. A reception will follow.

In his new life, Zehner joins his parents Edward and Edna Zehner and brother Kenneth.

“In my father’s house there are many mansions … I go there to prepare a place for you,” John 14.

The post Obituary appeared first on Laguna Local News.

By Eric Jessen, Special to the Independent

 Celine and Lloyd Milne in 2005

Celine Theresa Konzal Milne, who for several decades managed the venerable Marion Milne Real Estate Company with her beloved husband, Lloyd, was laid to rest alongside her sisters, Delores and Marian, at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery overlooking Irvine Regional Park on April 15, 2015. The gravesite is near that of her parents, John and Lilian Konzal.

Her father was a residential land developer in Detroit, where he named streets after his daughters. In 1932 they moved to Orange County and became avocado ranchers in Orange Park Acres and later lived in a grand Victorian home at 720 N. Main St., in Santa Ana.

Born in Detroit on June 15, 1927, Celine Milne died peacefully on March 27, 2015, at her Laguna Beach home, just shy of her 88^th birthday.

She first met Lloyd Milne in 1952 while working at a Santa Ana law firm. He took her on a date to meet his mom in Laguna Beach. He had his eyes set on her, but Celine had other ambitions and moved away, first to San Francisco and then to Hawai’i. Sixteen years passed before she and Lloyd were married in 1968.

Lloyd’s mom, Marian, who founded the prominent Laguna Beach real estate firm in 1946, often told Lloyd that he and Celine would eventually be together “when the time was right.”

Celine was the second youngest of four children whose births spanned a remarkable 21 years. She is survived by her younger brother, James Konzal of Leucadia, numerous nieces and nephews and their children, and Lloyd’s two sons from a previous marriage.

Milne’s relevance to Laguna Beach history is important. At Marion Milne Real Estate she played a key role in managing many properties of old Laguna families who were more interested in getting stable tenants rather than high rents. As a result, many of their tenants were able to save the money to buy their homes in Laguna, stay in town and make significant contributions to Laguna Beach and the surrounding area.

Beneath her striking appearance and remarkably elegant and stately demeanor, Milne was very generous and had a heart of gold. Like her sisters, she could have easily become a movie star.

Thank you, Celine, for everything you did for so many people in our beloved Laguna Beach.

The family suggests that donations made in Milne’s memory to Vitas Hospice, Irvine.

The author is a longtime resident.

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Marc Ernest DuQuette

Marc Ernest DuQuette

Marc Ernest DuQuette was born on July 23, 1942, in Long Beach.

DuQuette served in the U.S. Army Infantry, Army Reserve, and the Nebraska
National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge in December 1967.

During the 1960s and ‘70s, DuQuette lived in Costa Mesa and other areas of Orange
County. It was during this time frame that DuQuette became immersed in the counter-culture movement, which was sweeping the nation. He became a member of
many radical social justice groups, including Vietnam Veterans Against the War, the Cuban-based Venceremos Brigade, and the Maoist October League/Communist Party
Marxist-Leninist group.

For most of 1968, DuQuette lived in the woods of Southern Oregon as one of the
leaders of an idealist hippie commune he founded and his very eclectic
circle of friends, trying to relate to a world they felt was failing them in
a new way. DuQuette wrote about this incredible time of rebirth and disillusionment
in his memoir, “Orange Sunshine: How I Almost Survived America’s
Cultural Revolution,” sharing his pure personal vision of the ‘60s, the
downward spiral of his addictions and his intense run-ins with the police as his life
spun completely out of control.

On Dec. 19, 1981, DuQuette became sober and inwardly turned his life over to helping others with their addictions. In 1983, he became certified as a recovery counselor, working with
alcoholics, addicts and co-dependents. Duquette’s spiritual journey had begun in earnest.

He continued this noble work all the way to the end of his earthly journey, leaving
us all on March 22, 2015.
DuQuette’s many worldwide clients of over 25 years feel his loss keenly. His warmth, compassion,
humor and profound non-judgmental “listening” have left a great void.

In addition to DuQuette’s recovery counseling, he also worked quietly for several decades
with the HIV/AIDS population lecturing on high risk behavior to counselors and
therapists.

In 1985, Duquette married his soulmate, Kathleen, in Laguna Beach, where they lived for almost 27 years until relocating to the beautiful Hill Country
near Austin, Tex.

DuQuette is survived by Kathleen and his younger brother
Lon Milo DuQuette of Costa Mesa, Calif.

The post Obituary appeared first on Laguna Local News.

Thomas Robert Judy

Thomas Robert Judy

Dr. Thomas Robert Judy died peacefully on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the age of 90. Born in Centerville, Iowa, on July 26, 1924, Judy spent his childhood in the Midwest before he was swept away to Laguna Beach, where the glistening Pacific Ocean offered optimism during the misery of the Great Depression.

It was here that the Judy family laid roots and the legacy of our patriarch began. A star athlete, Judy was an all-American basketball player at Laguna Beach High School, which after graduating in 1942, earned him a scholarship to the University of Redlands. But World War II had other plans for Judy. Just a year after enrolling in college, he enlisted and served overseas in the Philippines as a trained Navy corpsman. Once again, he headed towards the great Pacific. Before his departure, Judy married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca Morey, and the two had their first child, Mark Judy, in 1944. At the end of WWII, Judy completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California before earning his doctor of dental surgery degree at the University of Pennsylvania. While living in Philadelphia, Tom and Becky had their second child, Diane Judy, in 1952.

After Judy graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1953, the family settled back in to their hometown of Laguna Beach and Judy installed himself as a pillar of the community, known to all as our family dentist, Little League coach, Rotarian, lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, and a good friend to all.

After losing Becky to cancer in 1986, Judy met his second wife, Mary Judy, with whom he spent 27 wonderful years traveling the world and continuing to be an asset to the community. To this day there are not enough words in the English language to describe his extraordinary soul. Judy stayed true to his core values of personal responsibility, duty, honor, faith, and took nothing for granted.

Judy leaves his beloved wife Mary Judy, children Dr. Mark Judy and Diane Riegler, step-children Dan Danford, Brad Coleman, Carrie Christy, and Cathleen Armstrong, 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and countless loving family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Laguna Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 2 p.m. with Dr. Jerry Tankersley presiding.

The post Obituary appeared first on Laguna Local News.

Kenneth Ray Watkins surrounded by family peacefully passed away at his home in Shingle Springs, Calif., May 2, 2015.

Kenny was born May 25, 1925, in Laguna Beach. His youth was spent in Laguna Beach and it was love of the ocean and of country that caused Kenny in 1943 to leave his senior year of high school and enlist in the Navy at the age of 17.

After completing boot camp, Watkins attended schools to become a corpsman and then completed additional training as an x-ray technician. During one of his leaves home he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Patricia McCoy.

Watkins’s ship, the USS LaPorte, deployed to the Pacific. While anchored off Okinawa in support of that invasion, Watkins and his fellow shipmates were the first to meet and then endure the continuous onslaught of kamikaze attacks by the Japanese.

Watkins was released from the Navy in 1946 and returned to Laguna Beach. He relocated with his family to Anaheim in 1951 where his training as an x-ray technician was his lifelong occupation.

Watkins and his wife moved to Shingle Springs in 2001 to enjoy retirement life. He continued to stay involved by volunteering his time and services working in the emergency room at Marshal Medical Center in Placerville.

Watkins was most proud of his military service, being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.  He was well aware that at almost 90 he was one of the dwindling numbers of World War II veterans and was especially proud when someone from a younger generation would thank him his for his service.

Watkins is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Patricia; son Stephen and his wife Joann; daughter Melinda and her husband Gaylen; granddaughter Jennifer and her husband Rich and granddaughter Loryn and her husband Derek.

Watkins was a member of the greatest generation and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations in Watkins name can be made to Snowline Hospice, Diamond Springs, Calif., or to The Wounded Warrior Foundation.

The post Kenneth Watkins appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Seth Bowen

Seth Watkins Bowen passed away unexpectedly in Aliso Viejo on May 29, 2015.

Bowen was a Laguna Beach resident for 19 years. He was 54.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Seth graduated from Nichols School in 1979 and the University of Arizona in 1984 with a degree in finance and accounting as well as being the tennis team captain.

Bowen led an exciting life full of travel to Africa, Europe and Australia while he toured and played on the professional tennis circuit and held an Association of Tennis Professionals ranking of No. 409 in singles and No. 334 in doubles in the world. He was also inducted into the Buffalo Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006.

After moving to Southern California, he became an international marketing director and top money earner with Equinox International, which became a Fortune 500 company.  He was instrumental in building that from the ground up to over 500 offices nationwide and into Mexico.

Bowen’s love for modeling, movies and acting drove him to pursue a short career in Hollywood appearing on the show “Zero to Hero” and became a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Bowen had many wonderful accomplishments in his life, however, the greatest of them all was fathering his beautiful son, Sterling, 17, whom he was devoted to. Their time was spent together playing and watching sports, going to the beach, playing board games and ping-pong, eating out, and most of all sharing intimate father-son time talking, teaching life lessons, laughing and sharing stories. They loved each other deeply.

Bowen touched the lives of many. He was deeply ingrained in the tennis community, belonging to The Palisades Tennis Club for many years where he built lifelong friendships. Bowen’s faith was strong and he loved his church and the many relations he’d built throughout the years. He had an infectious laugh that was heard from afar and was well known for his “Seth-isms!”

Bowen is survived by his adoring son Sterling Chase Dudley-Bowen, his devoted mother Elizabeth Ann Bowen, his loving brothers Lee, Scot, Kent and Eric. He was preceeded in death by his father Henry May Bowen and brother Karl Bowen.

Services will be held Saturday, June 6, at 5:30 p.m. at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. in Laguna Beach, followed by a reception in Tankersley Hall.

The post Seth Bowen appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Carolyn Kolberg

Loving mother, wife, grandmother and friend, Carolyn Kolberg, passed away May 20, 2015, at the age of 70.

Born in Los Angeles in 1944, Carolyn moved to Laguna Beach in 1956, with her (now deceased) mother and stepdad June and Dick McKeon.

Carolyn attended Thurston Middle School and graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1962. In 1963, Carolyn married her high school sweetheart Jim Kolberg and spent the last 50 years living in Bluebird Canyon, where they raised their three children.

She received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Long Beach State University specializing in speech pathology. Kolberg worked passionately as a speech pathologist for 30 years, improving the lives of school-aged children with speech impediments in the Irvine Unified School District.

In her retirement years, Kolberg was an enthusiastic reader, enjoyed discussing politics, gardening, cooking, spending time with her grandchildren, and traveling up the coast with her husband to Big Sur, Carmel and Santa Barbara.

Kolberg is survived by her husband Jim Kolberg; her children Monica Friesz, Lisa Ashley, Jeff Kolberg; and grandchildren Kara, Julia, Jeffrey, Audrey, and Katelyn; and half-sisters Merritt and Patty McKeon.

She was known for her kindness and acceptance and will be dearly missed by those who knew her. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 14, at 3 p.m. at the Sharp’s house at 904 Bluebird Canyon Dr., Laguna Beach.

The post Carolyn Kolberg appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Eugene Eldon Quinn Farnes, long-time football coach and math teacher at Laguna Beach High School, passed away peacefully on May 31. He was almost 94. He joined the teaching staff in Laguna in 1948 and retired 33 years later.

He leaves his wife of 64 years, Jeanne, and his son Quinn Jr. and his wife Linda. He was predeceased by his daughter, Sharman.

Farnes was devoted to and proud of his family, especially his grandchildren, Greg and Emily. Others dear to him were Sheri, Ted, Andrew, Chris, Nit, and Lydia.

Burial will be in the family plot at Oak Hills Memorial Park in Escondido at a later date.

Please join us in remembering Farnes by visiting our memorial at www.McCormickandSon.com

The post Quinn Farnes appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.