Obituaries Obituaries (August 10, 2005)

Ferna Carlton

Longtime Menlo Park resident

Ferna R. Carlton, a resident of Menlo Park since 1952, died at home July 24. She was 94.

A native of Oakland, Ms. Carlton was raised in Soquel, where she learned to love the outdoors. She graduated from the UC Berkeley in 1934 with a degree in household art.

While at Cal she met Everett Eugene Carlton. They were married in 1936. After living in several locations in California, they built a home in Menlo Park in 1952.

Ms. Carlton was an active member of the American Association of University Women for many years and an avid reader and gardener.

She and her husband, Gene, were world travelers. Their journeys included China, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Central America, Europe, Africa, and much of the United States. She also rafted the Colorado through the Grand Canyon and went hot air ballooning in New Mexico.

As she grew older, she continued to enjoy her garden, listen to books on tape and visit the coast to enjoy the ocean of her childhood, say family members.

Ms. Carlton is survived by her son, Bob of Soquel; daughter Mary Anne of Sequoia National Park; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, in 1999 and her son, Stephen, in 1971.

Betty Jane Bova

Longtime Menlo Park resident

Betty Jane Bova, a resident of Menlo Park for 58 years, died August 1 at age 77.

Ms. Bova was born in Berkeley and later moved to San Francisco, where she attended Polytechnic High School. She was married to Angelo Bova, owner of the Iron Pot restaurant in San Francisco, in 1947. They moved to the Peninsula the following year.

Ms. Bova worked at Stanford University while her husband returned to school to get his teaching credential. She took art classes at the College of San Mateo and Canada College and enjoyed gardening and sewing for her children and grandchildren, say family members.

Through the years, Ms. Bova was involved in many family enterprises, including raising and selling potted plants, making stained glass goblets, selling jewelry on Fisherman's Wharf, and making an Italian cacciatore sauce, which was sold nationwide, say family members.

She is survived by daughters Kathy Parker of Redding and Karen Kabaluk of Menlo Park, and three grandchildren. Her husband, Angelo Bova, preceded her in death.

A celebration of her life was held August 5. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity.

Elizabeth Henry

Former office manager

Elizabeth M. "Betty" Henry, a resident of Portola Valley for 10 years and a San Mateo County resident for 75 years, died August 2 at age 91.

Ms. Henry was an office manager for the Ethel Corp. for 20 years. After retiring, she volunteered at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

She is survived by a cousin, Penelope H. Wayte, of Sausalito. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to a favorite charity.

Arrangements were by Redwood Chapel in Redwood City.

Jennifer Skuce

Former Menlo Park resident

Jennifer Bubier Skuce, an accomplished rider and horse breeder, died July 28 at her home in Frankenmuth, Michigan, after a battle with breast cancer. She was 40.

Ms. Skuce attended Menlo-Atherton High School, Hollins College and Arizona State University. She later lived in Cave Creek, Arizona, where she met her husband, John Warack. They moved to his home state of Michigan in 1995.

Ms. Skuce, who traveled throughout the world, was both a rider and breeder of Arabian and thoroughbred horses. She was also an excellent rifle shot and lifetime member of Safari Club International, say family members.

She is survived by her husband, John Warack; daughter Hunter Amelia Warack; stepdaughters Jennifer and Ashley Warack; her parents, Betsy and Dave Skuce of Menlo Park and McArthur, California; brother Jake Skuce and sister Kendal Skuce, both of Coronado Island, California.

The family has established the Jennifer Project to build an indoor riding area in the town of McArthur in her memory. Donations may be made through Intermountain Junior Rodeo Association, Jennifer Project, P.O. Box 593, Fall River Mills, CA 96028.

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