2006 Winter

Newsletter December 2006

We are looking forward to our 50th class reunion. Hope all of you can

come. We have over 100 reservations. The room holds 150 comfortably

beveral will be sponsoring faculty members so our total is well over 100 It

is going to be a great time, renewing old friendships

That was Watsonville, by Betty Lewis: Watsonville s streets are named from the early days fo the Pajaro Valley

community, named for many of the families & entrepreneurs who founded

the city. Among the more familiar names is Charles Ford who founded the

store & after whom Ford St. is named. The mercantile store was the oldest

in California for many years until it closed its doors in 1993. Other names

are probably less familiar, for example, Brennan St. was named after Capt

James Brennan. He built the Salinas, the first ship to arrive at Pajaro

Landing in 1859. Sudden St, opened in 1871, named for another sea

captain, Robert Sudden. Alexander St. was named for Thomas Alexander

!in 1856. Alexander organized the first fire-fighting bucket brigade in

Wastsonville. Hushbeckj Ave. received its name from Louis Husbeck. Walker

St memorializes Thomas Walker. He helped organize the Bank of

Watsonville. Atkinson Lane was named for Fred Atkinson, newspaper

editor mayor & founder of the radio station KHUB. Amesti Rd named for

Don Jose Amesti, land grantee, Blackburn St. for Jacob Blackburn, Cutter

Dr. for Dr. James Cutter, Broadis for Jim Broadis, former slave who came

from the south to Watsonville. This is a sampling of the Watsonville street

names but we must not forget some of the newer ones, Alaqa Lane, Bjur

Drive, Cowles, Kliewer Lane.Trafton Rd., Martinelli St., Silliman Rd Sakata

Lane, . Larkin Valley Rd. Pini Rd. Beck St, Mann Ave, Mello,

Miller Rd., Webb Rd. How many more can you name'?

IN MEMORY

Marilyn Brumit, Ruby Brumit, Josephine Re

Marilyn Brumit died Jan. 10, 2006. Marilyn was born in Santa Cruz After

her graduation from WHS in 1957 she married the love of her life Lonnie

Sublett, class of '55. Fontana is where they called home & chose to live

out their hves together. Lonnie died 3 years ago. They have two sons,

David & Randall. They shared the love of two grandchildren, Stephen &

under. Their niece Kern Franco wrote a beautiful poem about her aunt

Marilyn & read it at the funeral.

Josephine Re died June 9, 2006 in Capitola. She was 66. Josephine

was born in San Francisco, she was a graduate of WHS, Class of 1957

She worked as a nurse's asst. She devoted her life to studyinq the Bible &

attended Twin Lakes Church. She is survived by daughters Liz Hansen &

Jennifer Walmer; son Greg, sister Carol; brother Bob; mother Helen; four

grandchildren.

Ruby Brumit died this year. She lived in Watsonville & was a real estate

agent. I'm sorry I don't have any more information about Ruby's life.

Jim Jordan's wife Carolyn Roach Jordan died March 6, 2006. She was

a graduate of WHS, Class of 1960. She is survived by Jim, her daughter

Carrie & son Jim, Jr

Jim Clarke's wife Carolyn Dempsey Clark died Aug. 16, 2006. She

worked at Granite Construction for many years before moving to

Sacramento. She is survived by Jim, her husband & soulmate of 45 years,

their children Jackie, Tim & Tom & 5 grandchildren. Carolyn was in the

class of 1959 at WHS.

Marilyn Miller's mother Lousie Miller died June 7, 2006. A native of

Sacramento. She lived in the local area for 66 years. She worked at

Johnson's Stationary for many years. She is survived by her two

daughters, Marilyn & Babara & five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

Frances Tanimura's sister Norma Taeko Nishijima died June 9, 2006.

She was 61. She was born in Poston Internment Camp in Arizona.

She graduated from WHS in 1962 & loved in Santa Clara Valley. She is

survived by daughter Kristen & son Jason, her sister France, three

grandchildren.

Our friend Elizabeth Wyckoff Neel died June 12, 2006 at her Corralitos

home. She was a WHS graduate, Class of 1956. Elizabeth is survived by

two sons, Peter & Michael.

John Sheffield Jr. died July 31, 2006, John graduated from WHS, class

of 56'. He owned Sheffield Orchards in Corralitos. John is survived by

his longtime sweetheart Luann Copriviza Niebling, ddauhter Kimberly, two

sons, John & Brennan and eight grandchildren.

Jerry Chin's mother, Verna Chin passed away Aug 27, 2006 at the age

of 95. She was a native of China, & lived in Watsonville from 1930-1996.

Mrs Chin is survived by four sons, Duncan, George, Warren & Jerry,

daughters Shirley & Loretta; 5 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren.

In Memory of Grace Smith

Grace Dickson Smith died Sept. 22, 2006 in Watsonville. She was 104. Mrs

Smith was a kindergarten teacher at Mintie White School for many years.

Many of us got our educational start in Mrs. Smith's class. She retired from

teaching in 1968. She is survived by her daughter, Gene & three

grandchildren & five great grandchildren..

B O M B S A W A Y B L A N T O N

Strong-armed Monte Vista Christian quarterback shattering records, the

Sentinel reported. Oops... that is JOSH Blanton, not his famous

grandfather Kenny. Josh has set a new county season record for passing.

He has thrown for 2570 total & 22 touchdowns. Josh's total yards are

sixth in the state & 25th in the nation this year among quarterbacks who

have played nine games. Greg Bjur, coach at WHS says, "Josh is like a

cannon. He has an amazing arm" Kenny says that Josh has always had

the mentality of a quarterback. Josh, whose parents weren't in the picture

as he grew up, kept his head straight while being raised by his

grandmother, Sandra, & Kenny. Grandparents Virginia Powers Dickens &

Bob (class of '54) are very proud of their grandson Josh too. Josh plans

to go to college next year & become a dentist.

Speaking of football, our new football artifical turf field is completed. The

turf & track are part of $18.1 million in upgrades dedicated to WHS by the

voter approved bond. The field is awesome with a huge "W" in the middle

of the field. A must see. You can also have your picture taken by the

Geiser memorial. A new gym & sports complex will be finished by late

spring. The track is made of all-weather polyurethane . It is brick red in

color, eight-lane oval, complete with yellow numbers shadowed by black

to match the Wildcatz' colors. Totally awesome!! Just had to use that word.

R<§youi®ffU tenatir: The Class of '57 Girls Rock....more later.

Clarice Giberson & her husband Rich climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was a

great adventure in honor of their son-in-law's 40th birthday. Adding to the

excitement this year in their family was the birth of Clarice's grandson,

Declan Sean Kennedy, born June 26th in Watsonville to parents, Gina

(Wiggins) & Sean Kennedy. Both sets of grandparents were on hand &

enjoyed welcoming this "gift from God.". Thankfully, Declan is a healthy

baby & is now living with Mom & Dad in Rome, Italy as his parents work

for the International Fund for Agriculture & Development of the UN.

Bob Fenner writes that he isnt retired yet, but thinking about it. His son

was married in Hawaii this October. Bob's mother passed away in July ,

2005. She was 94. She spent most of her life in Watsonville. Bob & his

wife will be at our reunion next year.

Pat Starbird writes that she will be at the reunion. She & Loren are living

in Pioneer, CA. They have lived in Watsonville, Florida, Sea of Cortez also

have a place at Lake McAlpine near Aromas. They have done lots of

building, skiing, & traveling escaping the cold winters in Pioneer. They

have 3 children & 4 grandchildren. Their son Kevin was killed in a boating

accident. They have a cruise planned for their family next year.

Ponytail is the title character in Lee Holley's

comic strip based on his experiences at

Watsonville High School.Lee lives in Rio del

Mar & worked for Disney & Warner Brothers

many years. In the mid 1980's Holley retired

his comic strip, Ponytail. He is now enjoying

his retirement.

Betty Sue Henry Bjur is now a great grand

mother. Alex Huezo was born Dec. 2nd to

granddaughter Angela & her husband Sam.

Son Greg is the happy grandpa.

Motel suggestions for reunion: Seascape,

special for over 65 yrs. old & Red Roof Inn.

Betty Sue-GTObjur@aol.com

190 Bjur Dr. Watsonville, CA. 95076

See you at the BIG 50!!!!!

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