OBITUARIES OBITUARIES (August 30, 2000)

Albert Jacobson

76-year Menlo Park resident

Albert Carl Jacobson, who had lived in Menlo Park since he was 9 years old, died at home August 23. He was 85.

Born in Sacramento, Mr. Jacobson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and retired from California Water Service in 1976 after 40 years.

He was a member of Utility Workers of America and an officer of the Menlo Park chapter of AARP.

Mr. Jacobson, had many hobbies, loved gardening and had a special interest in sports and photography, his family said.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elsie; sister Helen Fallon of Menlo Park; many nieces and nephews; and special friend Michael Garibaldi.

There was a private burial service. Contributions may be made in Mr. Jacobson's memory to Stanford Hospice, 300 Pasteur Drive, Mail Code 5520, Stanford CA. 94305 or to a charity of choice.

Frederick Musso

Outdoorsman

Frederick Warren Musso, who lived in Atherton for 40 years, died July 28 at age 90. Mr. Musso and his wife, Helen, moved to the Forum retirement community in Cupertino in 1991.

Mr. Musso was born in San Jose, moving with his family to Redwood City where his father owned the Musso Pharmacy. He attended the University of California at Berkeley where he studied pharmacy. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II.

For many years Mr. Musso worked at Menlo French Laundry, which was owned by his wife's grandfather. He was a member of the Palo Alto Elks Club and was an avid fisherman and hunter, according to his wife. "He loved the great outdoors," she says.

Mr. Musso is survived by his wife, Helen M. Musso. The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Services were held at The Forum.

Mary Louise Egan

Sang in church choir

Mary Louise Egan, who moved to Menlo Park in 1998 to live with her niece, Patricia Heaton, died July 30. She was 91.

Mrs. Egan lived in Los Angeles for most of her life, where she was a bank escrow officer. She later lived in Sonoma.

Mrs. Egan was a soprano who sang in Lyric Opera and local productions in Los Angeles. At age 91 she was still singing in the choir at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park. Mrs. Egan belonged to and served as an officer in several Masonic organizations.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Phyllis Hofmann of Santa Rosa; niece Patricia Heaton of Menlo Park; nieces and nephews; grand nieces and nephews; and a great-grandniece.

A memorial service is planned for October. Memorial donations may be made to the Trinity Parish Music Program, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, 94025; the California Bach Society, P.O. Box 7526, Menlo Park 94026; Peninsula Habitat for Humanity; or a charity of the donor's choice.

Patricia Balestra Skees

Interior designer

Patricia Balestra Skees of Atherton died unexpectedly August 24 at her home.

Mrs. Skees was born and raised in San Francisco where she attended Lowell High School. She graduated from Stanford University where she met and later married Joseph Balestra. Mr. Balestra died in 1985.

A former member of the Woodside Atherton Auxiliary to Children's Hospital and a longtime member of Menlo Circus Club, she was married to Walter Skees in 1988. Mrs. Skees' interests were her antique business, traveling, and, above all, her family and wide circle of friends, says her daughter, Sherry O'Donnell.

Survivors include her son Mark Balestra and wife, Kathleen, of Atherton; daughters Sherry O'Donnell and husband, Sean, of San Francisco; Katie Walter and husband, Jeff, of Tiburon; and six grandchildren.

Services were to be private. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 520 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park 94304.