Issue date: April 28, 1999
Fannie Shaftel
Dr. Shaftel, who developed theories and techniques for teaching values through social studies, died March 21 at Sharon Heights Convalescent Hospital only three miles from her home in Ladera.
Born September 30, 1908, in Los Angeles, she retired from the Stanford School of Education as a full professor in 1974 after teaching there for 27 consecutive years.
Her dedication to social studies as a core curriculum for elementary schools and as a vehicle for exploring social values and understanding diverse cultures began with her teaching in Los Angeles after receiving her teaching credentials from the University of California, Los Angeles.
She and her students built an adobe house in a Los Angeles arroyo during their study of Mexico, and prepared a feast in the fields while studying Egypt.
These experimental activities where whole classes were led to create "living" dioramas with students acting out parts were the seeds for her study of role-playing. These ideas were formalized in her Stanford doctoral dissertation, "Role Playing in Teaching American Ideals," in 1948, the same year she joined the School of Education faculty.
After earning a master of arts degree from Columbia University, she returned to California and worked as the elementary curriculum coordinator for Pasadena city schools for eight years.
Dr. Shaftel, a mentor for teachers, co-authored with her husband, George Shaftel, the textbook, "Role Playing for Social Values," that became a classsic in its field. Later they collaborated on other books and filmstrips, documenting role-playing techniques.
Dr. Shaftel worked on integration projects in the South with the Conference of Christians and Jews during summers in the 1960s and traveled to Spain with a team of Fulbright scholars to evaluate schools in Galicia. She received Stanford School of Education's first excellence in teaching award.
After her retirement, the Shaftels spent half of each year living in Honolulu where she worked with the Bishop Museum as an associate for the Hawaiian Homestead Project and consulted with the Hawaii Department of Education on guidance projects.
She is survived by her husband, George Shaftel of Ladera; son and daughter-in-law, David and Harriet Shaftel of Anchorage, Alaska; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Hugo Nadaner of Ladera; and grandchildren, Douglas, Matthew and Rebecca Shaftel.
William Brazell
Mr. Brazell was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, and moved to California in 1941. After serving in the U.S. Army, he began his career as a sheet metal worker at South City Sheet Metal in 1959, working there until his retirement in 1994.
After retiring, he attended daily Mass and rosary at Church of the Nativity. "After church, he would come over and visit his grandchildren and often helped me get them ready for school," recalls his daughter, Dori Britts of Atherton. He also spent time in his workshop doing custom copperwork, such as planter boxes and gutters. He restored a 1932 Ford to mint condition and enjoyed going to car shows.
Survivors include his wife, Beth Ann of Menlo Park; son, Paul of Redwood City; daughter and son-in-law, Dori and David Britts of Atherton; his mother, Amelia Brazell of Santa Cruz; brother David of Yorba Linda; a sister, Amy Dewar of Brookings, Oregon; and three grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Church of the Nativity. Arrangements were under the direction of Menlo Park Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries.
Edward Charles Casey
A native of San Francisco, Mr. Casey graduated from St. Ignatius High School and the University of San Francisco. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II, a member of the Stanford Golf Club, and a resident of Los Altos Hills for 37 years.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Casey of Woodside; children Frances von Schlegell, Carolyn Casey, Edward C. Casey Jr., and Suzanne Casey; siblings Dr. Donald Casey, Helen Fincutter, and Cecil Casey; and four grandchildren.
Services have been held. Donations may be made to Stanford University Skin Cancer Research Center, 770 Welch Road, Suite 400, Palo Alto, CA 94304.
Eric Pederson
Mr. Pederson was a native of Southern California who moved to Atherton with his family when he was 15. He was a graduate of Menlo School where he was a gifted athlete playing varsity baskeball and baseball. "He held the record for the most points scored in a (basketball) game," his wife recalls, "and he was a great surfer." He was a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Architecture and Stanford's School of Engineering.
Before his illness, he owned his own architectural and construction business, specializing in custom residential design.
Mr. Pederson is survived by his wife, Tina, and sons Miles and Anders of Woodside. "I think he would like to be remembered as a devoted father to his two sons -- that was very important to him," said his wife.
He is also survived by his father and stepmother, Jack and Pearl Pederson of San Francisco; sisters Penny Falck of Rolling Hills, Clary Riskas of Atherton, and Grace Ann Graumann of Menlo Park; and brothers Jac of San Luis Obispo and Lars of Layfayette.
Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 150 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94612; or to Mid-Peninsula Home Care and Hospice, 201 San Antonio Drive, Suite 135, Mountain View CA 94040. A family gathering was held April 22 at the family home. Arrangements were under the direction of Roller Hapgood & Tinney.
Charlotte Barker
Mrs. Barker and her husband, the late Sherman Vaughn Barker, owned Anchor Appliance in San Carlos for 30 years. A native of Denver, she moved to the Bay Area as a young woman and married in 1946. They lived first in San Mateo, then moved to Menlo Park, where she resided for 48 years. Three years ago she moved to Pilgrim Haven in Los Altos.
Mrs. Barker is survived by her niece, Carole Galeridge, and many other nieces and nephews. Her son Charles "Rusty" Barker died in 1970. Memorials may be made to Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto.
Eleanor Hanson
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