Obituaries - 3/19/05

By: North County Times and The Californian | Friday, March 18, 2005 11:07 PM PST ∞

Patricia Coddington, 52

LAS VEGAS - Patricia Coddington, 52, died Sunday, March 6, 2005, of emphysema.

Born July 5, 1952, in San Diego, she lived in Las Vegas for 2 1/2 years. She lived in San Marcos previously. She worked at Home Federal Savings & Loan in San Diego in the early 1970s. She was a former member of the New Hope Church of San Marcos.

Mrs. Coddington was preceded in death by her son, Josh; mother Nancy Gillespie; and father Donald Gillespie.

She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Brad Coddington of Las Vegas; sisters Karen Gagnon of Escondido and Donna Cresta of Chula Vista; and brother Mike Gillespie of Chula Vista.

Her cremains will be scattered.

Nevada Funeral Service is handling arrangements.

Mary Skific, 99

VISTA - Mary Skific, 99, died Thursday, March 3, 2005.

She was born Dec. 7, 1905, in New Jersey.

She retired in 1976 after 20 as an account technician in civil service at Camp Pendleton.

She was a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, the PTA, the Vista Bobby Sox Softball, the American Association of Retired Persons and the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees.

She was an advisor to Xi Rho Alpha chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

Mrs. Skific was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Skific, in 1966; two brothers; and three sisters.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Linda Skific of Escondido and Paul and Norma Skific of Arlington, Wash.; daughters Carole Walker of Vista and Rosemarie Hamilton of San Marcos; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for noon Saturday, March 26, at 1954 Monte Vista Drive in Vista. A private cremation is planned.

Neptune Society is handling arrangements.

Marjorie Monaghan, 93

SAN MARCOS - Marjorie Ritter Monaghan, 93, died Saturday, March 12, 2005, at Life Care Center in Vista.

She was born Jan. 21, 1912, in Rahway, N.J.. She was the co-owner of the Bobby Jean Shop for 30 years.

She was a member of the Soroptomists, the Daughters of the American Revolution, PEO and the Assistance League in Carlsbad and Yuma, Ariz.

Mrs. Monaghan was preceded in death by her husband, Barth F. Monaghan, in 1970.

She is survived by her niece, Susan Hall of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; nephew Jim and his wife, Laurie Bristol of Temecula; and cousins Jean and Joanne Wisener of Yuma and Nancy and Dick Cross of Alexandria, Va.

A private cremation is planned.

The family suggests donations to the Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027.

Accu-Care Cremation Center is handling arrangements.

Velma Akern, 75

ESCONDIDO -- Velma M. Akern, 75, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005.

Born April 23, 1929, in Illinois, she lived in Escondido for 20 years.

Mrs. Akern is survived by her son, Gordon Akern of Escondido; daughters and son-in-law Susan and Frank Abril of San Bernardino and Shirley Allbritton of Escondido; and grandchildren Ezra, Isaac, Travis and Austin.

No services are planned.

North County Cremation Service in San Marcos is handling arrangements.

Steve Hennessey, 47

SAN MARCOS - Steve M. Hennessey, 47, died Sunday, March 13, 2005, in Maui, Hawaii.

Born June 25, 1957, in Doncaster, England, he lived in San Marcos for 13 years. He was a data architect for Accredited Home Lenders and worked in the computer field for 30 years.

Mr. Hennessey was preceded in death by his son, Philip S. Hennessey, on April 10, 1993.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gillian Hennessey of San Marcos; parents Hylda and James Hennessey of Rossington, England; son Martin Hennessey of San Marcos; daughter Lauren Hennessey of San Marcos; brother and sister-in-law David and Lynda Hennessey of Beadale, England; sister Janet Shepherd of Rossington, England.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos Chapel with the Rev. Sam Brumit officiating.

Private cremation and interment are planned.

The family suggests donations to the Leukemia Society of America, 8575 Gibbs Drive, San Diego, CA 92123.

Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Charles Handova, 86

OCEANSIDE -- Charles "Chuck" W. Handova, 86, died Monday, March 14, 2005, at his home.

He was born in Pennsylvania, he was a longtime resident of Oceanside. He retired from Northrop & Boeing as and engineer. He received a degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He worked at the Pentagon during World War II. He worked on the Apollo space mission to develop high pressure titanium fuel tanks and titanium components for the "B" series military aircraft. He was a titanium consultant. He was an expert of titanium in several lawsuits. He was a volunteer teacher of metallurgy. He was a 40-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Mr. Handova was preceded in death by his sister, Renee. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; son Gary Handova; and brother Eugene Handova.

Visitation and viewing are scheduled for 9 a.m. and funeral service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Oceanside Mortuary, 602 S. Coast Highway in Oceanside. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific Drive in Corona Del Mar.

Oceanside Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Memorials

Charles W. Handova

Charles W. "Chuck" Handova, 86 years young, died of heart failure on March 14, 2005. He was one of three children born to Michael and Marie Handova of Cleveland, Ohio. His sister, Renee, preceded him in death, and he is survived by his wife, Dolores; his brother, Eugene; and his son, Gary.

After receiving his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Charles' family moved to California and resided in Alhambra. Somewhat of a visionary, Charles could see that a relatively ignored metal, titanium, would soon fill a myriad of applications due to its unique combination of lightness and strength. He avidly studied all the literature on the wonder metal and soon became a respected expert of the metal and its applications.

On the advent of WWII, Charles unique knowledge was required by the military, and he was issued a defense deferment to work for the Pentagon to assist in the design of tanks for the war effort.

After the war, Charles continued his work in the defense related field and in his long career he worked for North American Aviation, Rockwell International, Northrop and Boeing, assisting them with the design of strong and light titanium designs.

For the Apollo I space mission, Charles was called on to design titanium high-pressure vessels to contain the volatile rocket fuel needed to lift the astronauts into space. Additionally he designed many components for the "B" series of military aircraft.

Late in his career, Charles left the defense and aircraft industry, was granted a professional engineer license and began consulting as an expert in titanium applications. Among other assignments, Charles was selected to testify as an expert in titanium in several lawsuits. Additionally, he often volunteered to teach students elements of metallurgy.

In his private life, Charles was a 40-year dedicated member of Alcoholics Anonymous, helping newcomers and endearing members with his colorful style of speech and dress. He will be sorely missed by all those who loved him.

Visitation and viewing are scheduled for 9 a.m. and funeral service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Oceanside Mortuary, 602 S. Coast Highway in Oceanside. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific Drive in Corona Del Mar.

Betty Sherwood Kinney

Betty Sherwood Kinney passed away peacefully on March 15, 2005, with loving family at her side. Her grand-nephew, Keith Sherwood, stepdaughter Susan Middleton and Step-granddaughter Amberley Middleton were with her in her final hours. She is missed by family across the nation, friends, neighbors and parishioners of St. Michael's-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Carlsbad, California.

Betty was born in Columbus, Ohio, on July 25, 1916, and spent her youth in London and Springfield, Ohio. She studied nursing at Ohio State University and shared with her Aunt Stella Milburn a lifelong enthusiasm for the Buckeyes and affiliation with the Chi Omega sorority. After college graduation, Betty enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a nurse on board a World War II hospital ship.

Betty was a devoted caretaker of her mother, Carrie Mae Fisher. In the late 1940s they moved from Ohio to San Diego to be near her brother, Robert Milburn Sherwood, his wife, Ellen, and their children, Art, Judy and Charles. Living in Ocean Beach, Betty Sherwood was director of the Visiting Nurses Association of San Diego, and developed strong and effective Visiting Nurse programs in San Diego throughout the 1950s and 1960s. It was through the Visiting Nurses that she met Lola LaFay, a subsequent companion of 30 years. In the mid 1970s, Betty relocated from Ocean Beach to Carlsbad.

Betty was first a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in San Diego, and later St. Michael's-by-the-Sea in Carlsbad. Her devotion to the church community, service on the Altar Guild and deep dedication to the church were defining aspects of her life. Late in her life, through her beloved St. Michael's she met George Edward Kinney Jr. They were married on January 7, 1994, and spent eight wonderful, loving years together until George's death.

Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Bob (1993) and husband George (2002) and survived by nephews Art, Charlie and niece Judy and their families. She is also survived by San Diego residents, Keith and Kristi Sherwood; and great-nephews, Brad and Doug; as well as Susan and Amberley; and step-grandson, Sean Middleton.

A memorial service will be held at St. Michael's-by-the-Sea in Carlsbad at 10 a.m. Monday, March 21. Interment at All Saints Cemetery in Oceanside will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the North Coast.