Mary Therese Edwards, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on the morning of June 29, 2016. She was known for her radiant personality which touched everyone she met in a positive way. She is loved and missed by all that knew her.

Lawrence Harold Kronenberg, of North Bellmore, NY, passed away in his sleep on June 25, 2016 at the age of 95. Beloved husband, loving father and cherished grandfather, he was a constant source of joy and laughter in our lives.

Larry was born on January 8, 1921 in NYC to William and Diana (Duckman) Kronenberg, the eldest of three children. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 at the age of 21, and taught Morse code stateside, to fellow American servicemen. In 1947 he married his sweetheart Joyce Edlow in Brooklyn.

Continuing in the world of aviation, Larry worked in aircraft construction for Republic Aviation for a number of years, and later at Grumman Aerospace. Larry was also an entrepreneur, running his own washing machine valve repair business. After retirement, he always tried to keep himself busy and was active throughout the rest of his life. Larry was extremely handy and loved to create and tinker away in his workshop for hours on end.

Larry was an incredible roller skater and a national roller skating dance champion. He was truly a site to see as he glided across the floor. Roller skating was his great passion, second only, to fishing. He caught thousands of fish throughout his lifetime and even invented a special fishing lure.

Larry is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce, son Michael (Nancy), daughters Penny Carlson (Eric) and Debbie Zysblat, and grandchildren Diana and Jason Kronenberg, Daniele and Robyn Kohn, and Juliette Zysblat. His playful and enthusiastic spirit will live on in our memories.

Sarah Smith, born in California on a Fall evening in 1950, was always one of the most beautiful women in whatever room she entered. Her physical beauty was surpassed only by her warm, accepting personality and openheartedness. Her laugh was infectious. Quite often, people made her laugh just to hear her famous "cackle." Everyone was welcomed into her world regardless of age, religion, gender, race or sexual orientation. Sarah loved being around a diverse group of people and was always open to new ideas and perspectives. Throughout her long life, she worked hard and played hard. She maintained lifelong friendships with many people from her community, church, and workplaces.

Sarah lived most of her life on the West Coast, first in Portland, Oregon and then in Oakland, California where she raised her son Darius, daughter Norra and eventually adopted Gregory with her loving husband Samuel. Even with a limited formal education, Sarah was successful in her chosen field: cooking. She was a magnificent self-taught cook who could make everything from fine French and hearty British cuisines to the best-ever Southern fried chicken, New Orleans-style gumbo and Italian spaghetti. She was a baker, too, and was well known for her lemon meringue pies, peach cobblers, and banana pudding. She honed her skills as a chef at The Public House in Oakland, and then the Metropole Restaurant in Berkeley where she ruled the kitchen for 20 years.

Georgia Mae was an avid reader and she kept abreast of current events. She loved children, calla lilies, beautiful clothes, dogs, margaritas, brandy, and her own cooking. You knew it was an occasion when she broke out her favorite champagne. She loved shopping flea markets and auctions. One of her favorite sayings upon entering a room was, "Look what you could have if you ain't got nobody."

She was raised in the Baptist Church. In Oakland, she first joined the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, and was later a member of the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church for nearly 20 years. But, she was fascinated by Buddhism and other Eastern religions, too. She was associated with San Diego's Perfect Liberty Church for many years. Sarah enjoyed road trips and social gatherings with members of both churches.

Sarah is survived by her wonderful husband of over 30 years along with her daughter Norra and son Gregory.

Sarah's husband and long-time best friend, Samuel, says of her, "Sarah touched the lives of so many people. I think about her life in Oakland when I first met her and how she's became a woman who cared so deeply about her family and her friends. She was never selfish. She was a beautiful soul who acknowledged people. Thank all of the Gods of the universe for Sarah Smith. She was more than a friend. She was a generous, smart woman who made our lives beautiful."

Kent's life was peacefully completed as he reunited with his devoted parents, Janet and Richard Birkinshaw, his beloved brother Brian and four grandparents. He is survived by his sister, Annette and her children Christopher and Minda. He is also survived by "his boys" (great-nephews) Jaxon Brient and Cohen Christian who adore their Uncle Kent and will treasure his memory forever.
Kenter graduated from Olympus High and The University of Utah earning a degree in Fine Art. As an accomplished artist, he created countless beautiful pieces during his life, some of which can be seen throughout the valley.
Many will miss this kind, friendly and thoughtful man who was happiest when he was in service to others.

A second-generation Californian and matriarch of the Brekke family, Kathleen passed away peacefully in Oakland, CA on June 19, 2016. Kathleen continues to be cherished by her beloved husband John and a host of proud children, grandchildren and even a great-grandchild who will continue to hold up her memory. They are:

Robert and Lisa, Ingrid; Johanna and Steve, Jonas, Lara and John; Katrina and Paul, Lukas and Karina, Sean; Daniel and Bonnie, Jonathan (deceased), Ryan, McKayla, Keenan; Ann and David, Matthew and Sheila, Andrew, Kathleen, Brendan and granddaughter Aylie; Kristofer and Amy, Isabel, Grace; Shawna and Don, Nicholas, Dillon; Regina and Encarnacion, Maciej, Kasia.

Kathleen grew up in Sonoma County as one of 13 children born to Robert and Rena McKay. She became a Registered Nurse at Providence Hospital in Oakland and later served as an RN in the Army during World War II.

It was during her military service that Kathleen met John Brekke on a blind date that wasn’t intended for her. She saw a tall handsome man across the room and decided then and there that John would be her husband. And so it was. Kathleen and John would marry, build a house, and own and operate Brekke’s Cafeteria in East Oakland for 22 years. She was a compassionate supporter of the underdog and passed on to her children and grandchildren a strong belief in family, community, and justice.

Even the most beautiful journeys must come to an end and as Kathleen transitions to ancestor, her family carries forward her legacy, love and light.

Father to 4 beautiful children. Jordan Novak, George Jerry Novak 4th, Alexandria Novak and Juliana Novak. He loved his children dearly. He was a good man who always put his friends first. Always there to help at any cost. He leaves behind his mother, sister and grandmother along with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Norma Jean Berdan passed away peacefully on June 13, 2016 at the age of 86 in Newcastle, Washington.

Norma began her life in Cherokee, Oklahoma, the seventh of eleven children of Fred B. Jurgens and Sarah (Sadie Rousseau) Jurgens on October 9, 1929. Norma shared her memories of moving from Oklahoma to the Kittitas Valley in Washington as a five year-old in a 1928 Hudson, remembering her first glimpse of the Columbia River near Vantage. The Kittitas Valley became home for a large part of her life.

Norma was stricken by tuberculosis in her teens and early 20’s, but through time spent in a sanatorium in Yakima, and later with lung surgery, was able to live a long, healthy life. After high school she attended business college in Seattle and returned to work at Puget Sound Power and Light Company, where she met her husband, George Walter Wines. During the 50’s and 60’s her time was spent raising three children, involved in their many activities. She volunteered at school functions, helped with baseball events, became a leader for the Bluebird and Campfire girls, and had an open door for all friends and family who came to visit. Norma joined the YMCA and was a part of many water ballet performances in Ellensburg.

Norma returned to work as the children grew, continuing in administration from 1967 through 1991 at the Kittitas County Auditor’s Office, where she hand-recorded the legal documents of Kittitas Valley and offered a cheery smile to many residents of the county.

After the death in 1985 of her first husband, she married Don Berdan, and her life was enlarged with a second loving family. Don and Norma spent time traveling, and resided in both Leavenworth and Arizona, enjoying retirement, golf and many new friends. They returned to the Seattle area in 2013.

Norma will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her readiness to dance and enjoy social gatherings, her love of family, her optimism, her open house policy to all friends and family, and her gift to spend time listening to friends and strangers who shared their lives and problems. Norma’s life made a difference to those who met her.

Norma is survived by her husband, Don Berdan, her sisters Frances Bosler and Martha Larson, her children Sarah Cheng, Walt Wines, Janet Vaughan, and step children Dave Berdan, Carol Berdan, Garth Williams and Rob Wiesendanger. She is also survived by wonderful grandchildren, nieces, nephews and greatgrandchildren. The family would like to thank Valentina and Pauline at Immanuel Adult Family Care for the love and attention Norma received during the last two years of her life.

A memorial service will be held at the Moose Lodge in Ellensburg, Washington on Saturday, June 25th at 1:00 pm. The family requests that you continue to celebrate Norma’s life by sharing thoughts and photos online.

Andrew “Drew” Calderaro a lifelong Staten Islander, passed away on Wednesday June 8, 2016, at his home of cardiac arrest. He was forty-nine years old. Drew was born on January 4, 1967 to his parents Georgia and Leonard Calderaro.
He graduated from McKee High School in 1985. His passion for cooking began at an early age, and he was the head chef at numerous area restaurants and country clubs as well as personal chef accolades. He received a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from SUNY Delhi and enjoyed a career that spanned from the Harvard and Water Clubs in New York City to serving as private chef to Leona Helmsley in Greenwich CT. His life was filled preparing memorable meals through which celebrities and the community celebrated the milestone moments of their lives. Drew was a perfectionist in all of his endeavors, and he was truly blessed to find his true life’s passion. The ritual of taking simple ingredients and giving them “new life” (as he used to put it), though his dedication to his craft brought him great pride. The paramount joy of his life, however, was time spent with his family: teaching them through a meal and laughter that was shared. He will be remembered for his dedicated work ethic, his love for his family, hockey, NASCAR, rock n’ roll and his twisted sense of humor.
His marriage to Ann Calderaro and the children; Liane, Ciara and Michael Sally produced much love, joy and depth to Drew’s life.
He is survived by his parents Leonard and Georgia Calderaro, his brothers Gregory and his wife Lina; Robert and his wife Kristen; and his nieces and nephews; Alexandra, Lauren, Michael, Kaitlyn and Jack.