Obituaries Obituaries (June 09, 2004)

Maria Loretta Dallas
Born in Italy

Maria Dallas died May 22 in Menlo Park. She was 96.

Born Maria Loretta Ricci on December 26, 1907 in the Abruzzi region of Italy, she spent most of her early years in Rome, where she attended college and had her own business as a dress designer.

She left Rome in 1938 to travel to America with her family, and on the boat trip met her future husband, Thomas, who "wooed her with his beautiful voice singing opera," said son Thomas Dallas Jr.

They married and lived in Boston, where they started their family. In 1948 they drove across the country with their two sons and eventually settled in Menlo Park.

She loved life, family, song and her church, family members said.

She was preceded in death in 1986 by her husband of 45 years, Thomas Dallas Sr.

She is survived by her sons, Paul of Clements, and Thomas of Woodside and Del Mar; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The family prefers donations to the Nativity School Endowment Fund, 1250 Laurel St., Menlo Park; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Robin Johnson
Animal health technician

Robin Johnson, a former Menlo Park resident, died May 17 from respiratory complications arising from esophageal carcinoma. She was 41.

Ms. Johnson was born in Redwood City and grew up in Menlo Park, attending Menlo-Atherton High School. She moved to Burney, California, in 1992.

She was an animal health technician at Altawood Animal Hospital in Redwood City, Aragon Veterinary Clinic in San Mateo, Companion Animal Hospital in Redding and Burney Veterinary Hospital in Burney. She had a reputation for the love and care she gave to animals, with clients following her from clinic to clinic, say family members.

Ms. Johnson is survived by her mother, Betty Johnson of Menlo Park; brothers Gary of Sunnyvale and Kevin of Palo Alto; sister Karen Groppe of Modesto; and fiance Dennis Cravens of Burney.

Private graveside services were held May 22 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park. A celebration of life was held June 5 at Flood Park in Menlo Park. A memorial will be held in Burney on Saturday, June 12.

The family prefers donations to Children's Cancer Research Fund, 2410 Clay St., San Francisco,CA 94115; an animal rescue group of choice; or a favorite charity. Arrangements were under the direction of the Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.

Jesper Petersen
S. Christian of Copenhagen founder

Jesper Erhardt Petersen, a businessman and entrepreneur, died May 28 in Woodside. He was 89.

Born in Copenhagen, Mr. Petersen was founder of S. Christian of Copenhagen. The company, which specialized in Scandinavian furniture and household furnishings, operated a store at Town and Country Village in Palo Alto for many years.

Mr. Petersen moved from Denmark to the Bay Area in 1948. An active clubman, he was a member of the Woodside Mounted Patrol, Shack Riders, Frontier Boys, Trail Blazers, Olympic Club, Rotary Club, Elite Club and the Danish Club. He completed eight Tevis Cup rides, in which riders travel by horseback 100 miles from Lake Tahoe to Auburn in one day, say family members.

Mr. Petersen was a charter member of San Francisco's World Trade Club. He was well known in Palm Desert where he spent a great deal of time playing polo and ranching, say family members.

He is survived by his wife, Ulla of Woodside; daughter Kirsten Petersen; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held, Sunday, June 6, at Woodside Chapel of Crippen & Flynn.

The family prefers donations to the Peninsula Humane Society, 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404.

Gary S. Goss
Forty-year resident of Portola Valley

Gary S. Goss died May 28 in Portola Valley. He was 69.

Mr. Goss was a native of San Francisco and a resident of Portola Valley since 1964.

A graduate of San Jose State, he was a member of the San Mateo Civil Service Commission, a founding board member of the Bay Area Bank, past president of the Carlmont YMCA, past president of the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the San Carlos Rotary Club.

He is survived by his wife, Chrystel; daughter, Chari; brothers, Bick Goss of New York, Blaine of New Mexico, and Dean of San Carlos; and two grandchildren.

A service was held June 4. The family prefers that donations be made to the San Carlos Rotary Endowment, P.O. Box 515, San Carlos, CA 94070. Arrangements were by White Oaks Chapel in San Carlos.

Mamye Oshman
Former teacher

Mamye Oshman, a 20-year resident of Menlo Park, died June 3 after a lengthy illness. She was 95.

Ms. Oshman was born in Louisiana and raised in Louisiana and Texas. She attended the Texas College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville, Texas, where she earned a degree in education. While teaching in south Texas, she met and married Dr. Peter Oshman in 1937.

The couple moved to Rosenberg, Texas, in 1943, where Ms. Oshman owned Libby's, a women's dress shop, and, later, taught school. After Dr. Oshman died in 1966, she moved to Houston, then to Menlo Park in the 1980s.

Ms. Oshman was a voracious reader and enjoyed duplicate bridge, entertaining, traveling and being with her grandchildren and family, say family members.

She is survived by her sons, M. Kenneth Oshman of Atherton, and Rick Oshman of Houston, Texas; sister Louise Collier of Houston; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family expresses gratitude to her caregivers, Lily Rodezno, Pilar Rodriguez Resendiz, Ana Lopez and Luz (Nikki) Amaya.

Burial was June 6 at Emanu El Memorial Park in Houston. The family prefers memorials be sent to the Palo Alto Jewish Community Center Seniors Program, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto CA 94303. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller Hapgood & Tinney.

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