Frances Beckstrom
Frances Marie Beckstrom, a 51-year resident of Menlo Park, died May 17 with her son at her side at Nazareth Classic Care Residence in Menlo Park. She was 98.Ms. Beckstrom was born in Bremerton, Washington, the oldest of six children. She attended local schools and worked for more than 20 years as a dental technician in Olympia, Washington.
In 1946, she married John A. Beckstrom, who preceded her in death in 1982. She is survived by her son, Robert Clyde Beckstrom, of Menlo Park; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
A private family service will be held at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, with burial at Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto. Donations may be made to Vitas Hospice, 39899 Balentine Drive, Newark, CA 94560.
Pete Dias
Pete Dias, a resident of Menlo Park since 1941, died May 17 after a brief battle with stomach cancer. He was 90.Mr. Dias was born in Navamorcuende, Spain, and at age 15 came to California with two of his brothers to learn the grocery business. The brothers worked at their uncle’s grocery in Sunnyvale until 1941 when Pete and his brother, Tony, moved to Menlo Park to work at Menlo Fruit & Meat Market, at the corner of El Camino Real and Oak Grove Avenue.
In 1942 Mr. Dias was drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry and served until a knee injury occurred a year later. He returned to Menlo Fruit & Meat, where he worked until the business was sold in 1955.
He then worked at Menlo Food Center for 10 years, finally retiring from Midtown Market in Los Altos in 1981. He also owned a prune orchard in the 1960s.
Mr. Dias was a member of the Retail Clerks Union. He never married, but provided a home for his parents and sister after bringing them from Spain in 1947. He is survived by his sister, Pauline Diaz of Menlo Park, and brothers Mariano Dias and Ben Dias of Gilroy.
A funeral Mass was held May 24 at St. Denis Church, with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park. Memorials in his name may be made to Pathways Hospice Foundation, 585 N. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085.
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