Obituaries Obituaries (December 14, 2005)

Iolene Putnam

Teacher and volunteer

Iolene Lazelle Lund Putnam died November 22 at her home in Menlo Park. She was 97.

Ms. Putnam was born in Mancelona, Michigan, and moved with her family to San Bernardino in 1914. She graduated from Pomona College and spent many years teaching and raising her family in the oilfield towns of Avenal and Taft in the San Joaquin Valley.

As a volunteer for the Community Concerts program in Taft, she was responsible for bringing many well-known artists to perform. The arts were a lifelong avocation, as were crafts. She was superb with a sewing machine and an embroidery needle, say family members.

Ms. Putnam is survived by her daughter, Susan Putnam Christiansen of Palo Alto; her son, Rear Admiral William L. Putnam, USN (Ret.), of Virginia Beach; three grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Her husband, Murray Putnam, died in 1976.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, January 9, at Stanford Memorial Church, where the Pomona College glee club serenaded her on her 97th birthday when they appeared in concert last spring.

The family prefers memorials to Pomona College Annual Fund, The Renwick House, 333 North College Way, Claremont, CA 91711-6324.

Olivia Kemist

Inspiration for Olivia's Miles

Olivia Janelle Andrea Kemist died December 4 surrounded by her parents, Adam and Micheline Kemist, and her younger sister, Hannah. She was 2 years old.

Olivia suffered from Krabbe disease, a hereditary, degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system.

To help combat the disease, in June 2004 the Kemists hosted Olivia's Miles -- 1-mile and 5K runs held in Menlo Park.

The race attracted more than 400 runners and walkers and raised more than $30,000 for the Sparks Foundation, a nonprofit that grants money for treatment of children like Olivia, and provides funds for research to find a cure.

Olivia's parents are owners of the Runners High and OH, a retro clothing store, in downtown Menlo Park.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Raymond Catholic Church on December 9. Donations may be sent to the Sparks Foundation, 1727 West Selby Lane, Redwood City, CA 94061.

Marie Alums

Private nurse

Marie A. Alums, a 50-year resident of Menlo Park, died December 2 at Stanford Medical Center. She was 95.

Ms. Alums was a native of Lavaca, Alabama, and a former private nurse. She is survived by her children, Calvin Charles Brown of Milpitas, Mane Brown-Fisher of Oakland, Theresa Brown-Carr of Menlo Park, James Arthur Alums of Austin, Texas, Lois Alums-Cobb of East Palo Alto, and Robert Alums of Austin, Texas; and 21 grandchildren.

A memorial service was held December 9 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness in Mountain View.

Virgina Blach

Active in schools

Virginia Schrup Blach of Menlo Park died December 5 after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 73.

Ms. Blach was born in Dubuque, Iowa, the youngest of nine children. She attended Clarke College before moving to Chicago. In 1960 she moved to San Francisco, where she met her husband, the late Donald C. Blach. They were married in 1962.

Ms. Blach was an active volunteer and fundraiser for her children's schools, including St. Raymond School, Sacred Heart Prep, and Bellarmine College Prep. After the children were grown, she worked for the California State Automobile Association in the touring department.

Ms. Blach is survived by her children, Donald Anthony, Mary Frances and William Powers; her sisters, Louise Linn, Margaret Bickel and Anne Miller; her brothers, John and James Schrup; and six grandchildren. Her husband, Donald C. Blach, preceded her in death.

A funeral Mass was held December 9 at St. Raymond Church in Menlo Park. Memorials may be made to the St. Raymond School's Scholarship Fund, 1211 Arbor Road, Menlo Park 94025; or St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park. Arrangements were under the direction of Menlo Colonial Chapel.

Thomas McCarty

Menlo Park resident

Thomas Joseph McCarty, a longtime resident of Menlo Park, died December 4. He was 52.

He is survived by his mother, Yvonne McCarty of Menlo Park; his five brothers, Bob McCarty of Georgetown, Mike McCarty of Menlo Park, Bill McCarty of Sacramento, Matt McCarty of Cool, California, and Phil McCarty of San Jose; his sisters, Ann and Peggy McCarty, both of Mountain View; and 10 nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was held December 10 at St. Raymond Church in Menlo Park. Memorials may be made to the St. Anthony Foundation, stanthonysf.org. Arrangements were under the direction of Menlo Colonial Chapel.

Rosetta Facchino

Johnny's Smoke Shop owner

Rosetta Facchino of Menlo Park, who with her husband, the late Johnny Facchino, owned Johnny's Smoke Shop on Oak Grove Avenue in Menlo Park from 1948 to 1973, died November 24. She was 96.

Ms. Facchino was born in northern Italy. She came to the United States with her family at age 11and settled in Santa Clara. She worked on a farm and in a cannery until her marriage to Johnny Facchino in 1929.

The couple moved to their home in Menlo Park in 1935, and Ms. Facchino continued living in the house for the next 70 years. After staying home to raise her two sons, she began working in the smoke shop in 1948. She and her husband at one time also owned a newspaper dealership, the Golden Churn Creamery, and J & A Sales, all based in Menlo Park.

Mr. Facchino died in 1975, shortly after he retired. As a widow, Ms. Facchino enjoyed caring for her garden and preparing Italian meals featuring her homemade ravioli and gnocchi. She was a fan of late-night talk radio, say family members.

Ms. Facchino is survived by her sons, Dennis Facchino of Palo Alto and John Facchino of Ahwahnee, California; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held December 5. Arrangements were under the direction of Spangler Mortuaries in Menlo Park.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.