Word has come our way that David Denman passed away about the middle of 2017 due to cirrhosis of the liver. I have no further information. He has several relatives living in the Ridgecrest area.
Elizabeth M. “Beth” Smith December 25, 1927 – February 20, 2018 Solana Beach
Elizabeth Mary Smith passed away on February 20th, 2018. Beth was born on Dec. 25, 1927, to Jeoffrey Lycurgus Robinson and Eileen Stella Loman in Santa Monica, California and raised in the desert town of Trona. As loved and revered by her family as any person could be, it was said she was a “matriarch with a heart”. This was displayed daily by her actions, supporting Catholic charities, taking in the poor and disadvantaged, being a mother to many beyond her cherished children. Beth will be met in heaven by her dearest husband the Honorable Donald Smith, son Geoffrey, granddaughter Megan, and brothers Mark, Malcolm, Michael, and Bruce. She is survived and beloved by her children Matthew (Pam), Peter (Rita), Suzanne (Bill), Sara (Steve), John (Beatriz), daughter-in-law Christine, sister Eileen and brother Bill, as well as her eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. She attended Flintridge High School and later in life went back to San Diego State University and received a bachelor degree in Spanish. In life, Beth loved her family, her Church, and the Democratic Party. She was an avid traveler who took trips to every corner of the globe to meet new people, expand her worldview, and learn about our common experiences. During summers and holidays, she hosted her family for weeks at a time, playing with grandchildren and extend family who lovingly called her “Ba” and talking the latest news of the Church, U.S. politics, and global events. In quiet times, she loved a glass of chardonnay with an ice cube and a good book or film. She will be remembered for her beauty, humor, and grace.She was loved so much by her family and will be missed more than words can express. The family ask flowers be sent to the El Cajon Mortuary or donations be made in her name to NAMI San Diego. Viewing will be held at the El Cajon Mortuary on Friday, March 2nd, from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. followed by a Rosary. Services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 3rd with reception to follow.
Sad news comes from Barbara (Brummett) Weimer’s daughter that she has passed away. I will add more details if they become available. Barbara’s daughter said they are planning on having a service in Ridgecrest sometime soon and that she will be buried in Trona next to her husband.
Services will be held at RCA Church, 800 W Upjohn Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 on Feb 23, 2018.
Barbara was married to Bill Weimer of the class of 1953. Bill died in 1988. Barbara is the daughter of Zack and Thelma Brummet who are both buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.
Age 83, of Palmdale passed away on January 13, 2018. She was born in Trona, Calif. on January 3, 1935. She was married to Juan Delgadillo for 55 years. Sylvia is survived by two children, Melissa Williams and Rosemary Columna (Ernesto); five grandchildren, Kamryn, Grant, Addyson, Pierce and Isabella. 3 brothers and a sister also survive her. Her husband Juan, daughter Nadeen and son-in-law Glen Williams precede her in death. She will be truly missed by her family and friends. A viewing will be held at Our Lady’s Chapel next to Saint Junipero Serra Parish, Quartz Hill, at 9:00 am, Wednesday, January 24, 2018. A mass will be held following viewing at 10:00 am.
Interment will follow mass at Good Shepard Cemetery, Lancaster, CA
Published in The Antelope Valley Press on Jan. 21, 2018
Gary Norton went to school in Trona until the 6th grade. After that he visited Trona many times during the summer. Gary passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
Services will be Friday, February 2, at 10:45. 10:15, at .Riverside national memorial cemetery ,reception just inside the entry.
Wanda (Stafford) Brown passed away after having a heart attack on January 7, 2018. She will be missed by family, friends and classmates
Gail (Rollins) Baker, class of 1961 passed away December 2nd 2017.
More sad news: Art Castillo (THS-67) passed away on 11/29/17. There isn’t any information about a funeral yet. Sgt. Arthur A. Castillo served as a medic US Army in Vietnam and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185788252/arthur-acension-castillo/photo
News of another alumni passing has come our way. Arlene Frances (Slafter) Austill of the class of 1949 died in 2013 in Arizona.
Arlene F, (Slafter) Austill was the daughter-in-law of Delbet “Bert” Austill. Bert was the man who managed the old theater in Austin Hall and was a projectionist in the Fox Theater. She married David Austill while she was still in High School and they remained in Trona into the 1960’s.
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Ricardo “Ric” Rasines, age 90, died peacefully in his sleep on October 5, 2017, after a valiant battle with cancer. Ricardo was comforted in his passing with his family by his side.
Ricardo was born June 27, 1927, in Barre, Vermont the son of Antonio Rasines and Baselisa Peral.
Ric thrived while growing up in Barre, where he attended Spaulding High School and met his best friend, Bob Abbiati, and soul mate Annie Lasorsa. Ric, while an fine student, excelled at playing football. Nicknamed “the bulldozer”, Ric, a running back, was consistently handed the football after which he would bulldoze his way down the field for another touchdown. Ric led the Spaulding team to a state championship and in the process earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Vermont. To this day his accomplishments on the football field are legendary.
In 1950, after graduating from college with a teaching credential Ric entered the Navy. Shortly after discharge he married his still then girlfriend, Annie Lasorsa. In 1952, Anne gave birth to their only child, Douglas. Eight months later, Ric and Annie packed their belongings into their new Oldsmobile and moved across the country from Vermont to Trona, California where Ric had accepted a teaching position at Trona High School.
Ric and Annie found Trona to be a wonderful place to raise a family and greatly enjoyed the company of so many lifelong friends. While living in Trona, Ric and Annie often spent weekends and summer vacations at various beach locations along the southern California coast, where they loved being able to enjoy the sunshine without the desert heat.
Ric worked for 34 years at the Trona Unified High School District first as a teacher, coach, then later as a boy’s counselor, principal and school administrator. In 1988 Ric and Annie retired and moved to Solana Beach, Calif. They much enjoyed the “laid-back” beach community lifestyle and time spent walking while taking in the scenic ocean views and socializing with the members of the “New Englanders” club.
Ric, a loving father, continued to enjoy fitness activities and always relished a good joke. Kindhearted, he always put the concerns of others above his own. Although relatively small in stature, Ric cast a large shadow of influence upon those who came to know him and enjoy his company over the years.
Ric is survived by his son, Douglas; daughter in-law, Deborah; grandson, Nicholas and his wife Rachel; sisters, Dolly, Rachel and Lisa; numerous loving relatives; and many dear friends.
At Ric’s long-held request, he will be cremated and have his ashes scattered at sea.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Ric’s name to the American Cancer Society.
Ric was one of those people from which I learned little gems of wisdom that have stuck with me all of my life. – David