Obituaries Obituaries (May 18, 2005)

Elizabeth Hone

Emeritus professor of education

Elizabeth "Betty" Hone of Portola Valley died May 7 at the Sequoias retirement community, where she had lived for many years. She was 95.

Ms. Hone grew up in Lyons Falls, New York, and graduated from Wellesley College in 1931 with a major in botany. She taught in elementary schools in New York City and Lyons Falls and earned a master's degree in elementary science education from Columbia University.

During World War II, she served as a Wave in the U.S. Navy. After the war, she taught in elementary schools in suburban Los Angeles.

In 1948 she joined the faculty of the Los Angeles State College for Applied Arts and Sciences, now known as California State University, Northridge, as a professor of elementary science education.

She was awarded a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California in 1959. Ms. Hone retired in 1972 after teaching hundreds of aspiring teachers.

She was the author of "A Sourcebook for Elementary Science" and co-author of the textbook series, "Concepts in Science," used in public schools around the country. At the request of the series publisher, she led many workshops for teachers on the use of the textbook series.

After retiring, Ms. Hone wrote articles for natural history magazines. She served for many years as a volunteer and supervisor of The Sequoias' flower garden, say family members.

She is survived by her sister, Hester Hone Hitzrot of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts; seven nieces and nephews, including Frederic Nichols of Palo Alto; and many grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Private family services were held. Contributions in her name may be made to her favorite nature education program for children, the Trust for Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.

Kenneth B. Sorensen

Menlo police lieutenant

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, for Kenneth Sorensen, who died May 12 in Carson City, Nevada. He was 66.

In 1991, he retired as a lieutenant after 31 years of service with the Menlo Park Police Department.

The service will be held at 1 p.m. at FitzHenry's Funeral Home, 833 N. Edmonds Drive in Carson City, Nevada. An obituary will appear in the next issue of the Almanac.

Wilbur E. Mattison III

Menlo-Atherton graduate

Wilbur E. Mattison III died May 9 at his home in San Jose after a three-year struggle with lymphoma. He was 48.

Mr. Mattison was one of a small group of students who were the inspiration for the Charles Armstrong School, which was founded by his father, Dr. Wilbur E. Mattison Jr., according to family members.

Mr. Mattison graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School and worked as a driver in the trucking industry.

He is survived by his wife, Kristy; his children, Sean, Brandon, Lenae, and Natalia; father Dr. Wilbur E. Mattison Jr. of Cupertino; and sister Patricia O'Dell of Gooding, Idaho. His mother, Patricia Mattison, died in 1999.

Memorial donations may be made to the Charles Armstrong School, 1405 Solana Drive, Belmont, CA 94002; or to a favorite charity.

Harriet Swinbank

Charter member of Menertons

Harriet Bowers Swinbank, a former resident of Menlo Park, died May 5 in Boise, Idaho. She was 86.

Ms. Swinbank lived in Menlo Park for 44 years, moving to Boise in 1999 to be closer to family.

A native of Mellen, Wisconsin, Ms. Swinbank attended Wasau Business Institute in Wasau, Wisconsin, and served as a Red Cross nurses' aide during World War II.

While living in Menlo Park, she worked as a physician's assistant at the School of Medicine, Stanford University. She was life member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a charter member of the Menertons, a women's organization composed of Menlo Park and Atherton residents.

Ms. Swinbank is survived by her daughters, Kathy Laurie of Santa Rosa and Nancy Biladeau of Boise, Idaho; and six grandchildren. Her husband, Fred, died in 1996.

Mary Myser

Former Portola Valley resident

Mary Scott Hickenlooper Myser died May 9 at the Starr Farm Nursing Center in Burlington, Vermont, where she had been a resident for several years. She was 89.

Ms. Myser and her husband, Andrew, lived in Portola Valley during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and were active in community affairs. Ms. Myser served as president of the local school board and PTA, according to family members.

Ms. Myser was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to Hollywood, California, as a young girl. She attended Occidental College and graduated from UCLA. She witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor and, later, served briefly in the armed forces. Her photo and biography are on display at the new Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C.

In 1965 the Myser family moved to Friday Harbor, Washington, where, at one point, she served as chief of the Friday Island volunteer fire department.

Ms. Myser moved to Burlington, Vermont, in 1998 to be near her daughter, Sally Wadhams, and only grandchild, Sam Wadhams.

She is survived by her son, Mark Myser of Seattle, Washington; daughter Sally Wadhams of Shelburne, Vermont; a grandson; and nieces and nephews. Her husband, Andy, died in 1995. A son, Paul, died in 2002.

Memorials may be made to San Juan Island Library, 1010 Guard Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Barbara Britton Chicas

Longtime Stanford employee

Barbara Britton Chicas of Menlo Park died May 6 at Stanford Medical Center with her family by her side. She was 68.

Born in San Jose, she grew up in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. She graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 1954.

For 30 years, she worked as an accountant in the comptroller's office at Stanford University, retiring in 1999. She was a regular blood bank donor.

She is survived by her husband, Edgar Chicas of Menlo Park; her daughters, Christina McNern of San Jose and Cynthia Meadows of Oregon; sisters Linda McDonald and Elizabeth Broeker of Arizona; and three grandchildren.

Private services were held. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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