Obituaries

Friends, family mourn Josephine Gessert at 83

DOWNEY-A Funeral Mass was heard Tuesday, Feb. 11, at St.Raymond's Catholic Church for Josephine Gessert, a Downey resident and a homemaker for 61 years, who died at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital Feb. 8.

A former resident of South Gate, she was 83, a native of Woodville, Pennsylvania, and attended school in Detroit, Michigan, including the Detroit School of Nursing.

She was preceded in death by husband Herbert Carl Gessert, Jr., in 1986.

Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Jean Skinner of Downey; grandchildren Michael D. Gessert, Charles T. Skinner, Joanne D. Skinner, Dianne J. Ostby and Cheryl M. Skinner; great-grandchildren Christina, Timmy and Whitney Ostby; sisters Ann Rizo of Michigan, Mary Arnone of Downey; and a brother, Joseph Scavone of Michigan.

The Rev. Monsignor John Fosselman officiated. Burial followed at San Jacinto Valley Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.


Josephine R. Gugliuzza mourned at age 86 here

DOWNEY-A Funeral Mass was heard Thursday (Feb. 13) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for Josephine Rosamary Gugliuzza, a Downey resident for 45 years and a former cook for St. Mark's Episcopal Church School.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she was 86, born Dec. 4, 1910, and died at her home in Downey Feb. 9. She previously lived in Hawthorne, and was preceded in death by her husband, Salvatore in 1967.

Survivors include her sons, Chuck F. (Gerry) Gugliuzza of Downey, Thomas A., (Beverly) Gugliuzza of Rancho Palos Verdes; brothers Tony Calabrese of Anaheim, Dick Calabersa and Basil Calabrese of Ohio; sisters Louise Ruggiero and Margaret Rizzo of Ohio; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Fr. John Maloney officiated. Burial followed at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.


Friends, family mourn Mary Ann Davis here

DOWNEY-Memorial services were held Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest for Mary Ann Davis, a teacher for 30 years with the Downey Unified School District, who died Feb. 7 in Coto de Caza.

She was born in Bell Jan. 20, 1939.

The wife of Don Davis, former City Manager and Fire Chief of Downey, her services were attended by more than 500.

Survivors include husband Don Davis; daughters Lisa Nordbak and Susan Nordbak; son John Davis; grandchildren William Noble, Eric Noble, Blake Noble, Dave Nordbak, Kelsey Nordbak, Haley Nordbak, Elisabeth Davis and Sean Davis.

Pastor Tom Holladay officiated.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Ann requested donations to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times (a camp for children with cancer), or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.


Paul Maddox Leach is laid to rest in Bishop

BISHOP-Funeral services and burial will be held today in Bishop, California for Paul Maddox Leach, a former longtime Downey resident and a former leader in the First Baptist Church of Downey, who died Feb. 10.

He was 79, born in 1918 in Quincy, Illinois. He came to Downey with his family in 1924, graduated from Downey High School, and still holds the record for the number of varsity letters earned.

He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, returning here after the war to work at Leach Grain & Milling, where he became vice president and part owner. He was a prominent member of several Christian organizations.

Since moving to Bishop 12 years ago, he stayed involved in business and became active in the Calvary Baptist Church there. He enjoyed crafts, morning walks and his garden.

He was flown to Long Beach Memorial Hospital last week where he died.

Survivors include his wife, Jane; two married children; three grandsons; a great-granddaughter; and two brothers, Willis and Roy Leach.


Agnes de Mars mourned at age of 81 in Downey

DOWNEY-Memorial services will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Miller-Mies Mortuary Chapel for Agnes de Mars, a 60-year Downey resident and homemaker, who died Feb. 10 at Downey Community Hospital.

She was 81, a native of Minnesota, and a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Downey.

Survivors include her daughter, Theo Hines of Downey; her son, Donald de Mars; four grandchildren, Desi de Mars, Cori de Mars, Jennifer Hines and Robert Hines.

The Rev. Randy Gardner of First Baptist Church of Downey will officiate.

Interment will be private.
 
 




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