Sunday, February 23, 2014

REMEMBERING "AMICA DI SANTA CROCE" (FRIEND OF SANTA CRUZ) KAREN SUE MARCUM


IVANO SAYS: Appearing below is a REMEMBRANCE  of  KAREN SUE MARCUM as it appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel : www.santacruzsentinel.com  .  Karen was the beloved daughter of Sandi (Moro) and Dave Stoltenkamp.  Sandi is Donna (Moro) Comelli's (my brother John's wife) sister.
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Karen Sue Marcum
August 21, 1961 - February 16, 2014
Resident of Capitola
A celebration for the life of Karen Marcum is planned for March 8th in Santa Cruz. Karen passed away on February 16, 2014 at the Capitola home she shared with Fiance Olaf Geffken. Born in San Diego County she was age 13 when she moved to Santa Cruz and became a beloved member of the Stoltenkamp Moro family.
Karen was a dedicated and industrious worker, with her first job at her Aunt Alta's and Uncle Emo's fish and chip's restaurant on Mission Street. She also worked as a fill-in Hostess at Tiny's restaurant in Capitola were she was affectionally known as "Boom Boom" by the regular customers. 
Karen was a familiar face in the Santa Cruz Banking Community, with her career spanning over 36 years. At the age of 16, and still attending Harbor High School, she started her career with County Bank of Santa Cruz filing checks at the Watsonville Branch. Her first promotion was opening new accounts at the Eastside Branch on Soquel Avenue. In 1987 she started her long association with Bank of The West working at the downtown Santa Cruz branch as a Financial Services Representative. In 1991 she was promoted to Financial Service Officer and in 1995 she was promoted to branch Sales Manager.
In 2005, Karen joined a new banking team at Santa Cruz County Bank as Vice President Relationship Manager. Although the bank was new many of her fellow employees had known or worked with her before. In 2007 with a group of amazing employees she opened the Capitola office known as "Karen's Branch". In 2013 her title changed to Vice President Regional Relationship Manager.
Karen loved her work and brought with her a joyfulness which attracted employees and customers alike. 
Karen served as chairperson for numerous charity golf tournaments ranging from the March of Dimes, to needs for the homeless community. 
Well know to Santa Cruz merchants, Karen possessed the unique ability to convince merchants to donate goods or services for her popular golf tournaments, sometimes refusing to leave a store without a donation. Her enthusiastic spirit and compassionate nature got all of her friends to open their wallets. In 2001, her first golf tournament was an instant success and raised over $20,000.
Karen was very active in the community, she was a member of Kiwanis – Capitola and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce as well as the Santa Cruz Downtown Association.
In her 20's and 30's Karen played in co-ed soccer and softball leagues. Watching some big guy fall to his knees after colliding with her was always the highlight of every soccer game. She loved to play golf and when her health was good she was a fixture at DeLavega Golf course, always walking the course never riding in the cart. She had a sweet swing and could smack that little white ball down the fairway for yards and yards. 
She will be remembered for her love of life and people, always looking to see the good in others and never judging. Her life was a gift to many, and she was especially an inspiration to those that personally walked with her in this life journey. Once you met Karen you had an instant connection and became a friend forever. As family members, we quickly learned that any excursion with her would take longer than expected. As an accomplished sales person she seemed to personally know everyone in the community and could not resist working a room for potential customers. We will miss her warmth, contagious smile and humor which brighten all of our lives. In case Karen forgot to tell you, she danced with Tom Cruise at a New Years Eve party at Pebble Beach. 
Karen is preceded in death by her grandparents, Louie and Enes Moro. She leaves behind the love of her life Fiance Olaf Geffken of Capitola, her mother and father Sandi Jo and Dave Stoltenkamp; her sister Stacie and brother in law Jeff Wenger, and her brother Scott, and sister in law Sarah Stoltenkamp. Nephews Ian, Dylan and Xander. Brother in law Sven Geffken and his children Michael and Kristen. Aunt and Uncle Donna and John Comelli and their children Denise Reid and Crissy Roubal; and numerous loving cousins and extended family. 
As most of you know the last two years of Karen's life were sadly filled with pain due to severe nerve damage after leg surgery. Her babies, cats Peaches and Kimba, comforted her and never left her side as she convalesced. Karen's family wishes to acknowledge the personal and loving care that was provided to her from Dr. Bernard Hilberman, who was Karen's physician all of her life. 
Throughout her ordeal Olaf never waivered in his love and support. 
A Hawaiian themed farewell is planned for our beloved Karen. Please wear your favorite "tropical beach attire" and join her family and friends at the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge on March 8th. 2014 at 3:00 p.m. A private family ceremony and committal will take place prior to the ceremony in March. You may light a candle for Karen and share your reflections and payer with her family at www.pacificgardenschapel.com Any kind acts of charity can be made in Karen's memory to The Bay School, Educating Children with Autism, 1026 Capitola Road, Capitola, California 95062, on behalf of Karen's nephew Dylan Wenger.f

IVANO SAYS (CONT'D):  Una vita troppa corta, pero molta ben fatta. (I life too short, but very well done). Addio Karen. Until we meet again across "Il Ultimo Ponte" (The Last Bridge). 


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

FIGLIO DELL COSTA (SON OF THE COAST) JOHN MONDO REMEMBERED

John Peter Mondo
May 6, 1937-Feb. 8, 2014
Resident of Santa Cruz
John Mondo passed away on February 8, 2014 after a lengthy illness. He was 76.
John was born in Santa Cruz on May 6, 1937, the son of Mario and Antonietta (Orecchia) Mondo. He grew up in Santa Cruz where he attended local schools and was a graduate of Santa Cruz High School. He later attended Hartnell Junior College. John served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for eight years. John was a life time resident of Santa Cruz. He owned and operated the Coors Beer Distributor with his brother, Herman for over 20 years. He also farmed on the north coast for many years.
He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, the Santa Cruz 
Elks Lodge and the Marconi Club. John enjoyed life and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He liked gardening and fishing especially in Truckee. He also enjoyed mushroom hunting and watching football.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nadia Mondo; son, Ron Mondo and his wife, Sandi and his daughter, Michelle Mondo. He is survived by four grandchildren; Anthony, Sophie, Mason and Nico and by three step granddaughters, Katie, Alyssa and Jilli. He was preceded in death by his brother, Herman Mondo on January 14, 2013 and his parents, Mario and Antonietta Mondo.
Services will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA on Friday February 14, 2014 at 10:30 am. A visitation will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel on Thursday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Entombment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, 2271 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA. Please visit 
www.pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle or express your condolences to John's family.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation and thanks to Jackie Tucker and her staff from Care from the Heart Home Service and to all of the doctors and nurses for the loving and compassionate care they provided John during his illness. 
In lieu of flowers contributions are preferred to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817, 
www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org. or to the American Cancer Society , for Lung Cancer Research, 945 S. Main St., Ste. 201, Salinas, CA 93901, www.cancer.org.

IVANO SAYS;  It seems like only yesterday that John and I graduated together with the Santa Cruz High School Class of 1955.  Addio Johnny, until we meet again "Across Il Ultimo Ponte" (Across the last Bridge.