Kathy Brothers
1948-2024
By Sylvia Lakeman
Kathy Brothers, a longtime resident of Mabry Way, passed away on July 9, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving partner Kip, their dogs Mr. Pippin and Lucky, family, and friends.
Kathy worked for many years at the Rafael Convalescent Hospital where, with Mr. Pippen by her side, she lovingly cared for many neighbors. She was also a member of the Marin County Sheriff’s Posse, assuming duties including Search and Rescue Missions on her beloved horses Copy Penny and Andy.
Kathy was an avid gardener and bird watcher. She loved to sit on her deck watching the covey of quail who visited daily. She was also a talented seamstress and artist, delighting friends with her beautiful quilts and paintings.
Kathy was a dear neighbor who impacted our lives in many positive ways. She was loved and will be deeply missed.
Carolyn Sue Bryant
1935-2024
By Jean Zerrudo
Carol, known as ‘Mama Carol,” passed away, on March 8, surrounded by family and friends. Carol and her family, the five Bryants, yearning for the space offered in the suburbs, moved during the summer of love (1967) to Santa Venetia. Family life was filled with music, BBQ’s with neighbors, dance, driving vacations, homework, fishing and sports. A fun-loving person, laughter and a keen wit always at the ready, Carol was also a champion of the underdog and remarkably interested in promoting women’s rights. Her generosity had no limits, as did her desire to put the well- being of others ahead of her own. Carol was also a passionate traveler who loved an adventure. The light of her life were her friends and family, particularly next generations Bryants. Passionate about supporting within the community,
Carol was the founder of Santa Venetia Neighbors Helping Neighbors. To learn more about Carol and to read and/or leave a tribute or share a photo, visit https://carol-bryant.forevermissed.com
Michael E. Hughes
1959 – 2024
By Mary Hughes
My brother Mike moved back to Santa Venetia a few years ago to take care of his father, Randy Hughes, allowing him to stay in his home of 55 years. Mike did the cooking, the cleaning, the doctor’s appointments, and everything. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, always willing to help anyone who needed it. He passed unexpectedly at the family home. To read their IJ Obituary, visit https://tinyurl.com/bd4w3v8v
Randal Hughes
1932-2024
By Mary Hughes
My Dad, Randy, moved to Santa Venetia on August 1, 1969. This was the same day that Tweedies closed and 7-Eleven opened. There were seven of us kids, so we had lots of friends in the community. My Dad liked to sit on the porch and people would drop by and say, “Hey Mr. Hughes, how are you?”
He was well-read and loved all kinds of music, except country. As he would say, he collected clocks, guns, and kids, in that order. He was a talented man, a woodworker, clockmaker, and machinist; a man who could fix most anything. And he was a pretty good cook, except for the goulash. In earlier years, he could often be seen riding around town in his green pick-up truck.
He raised us kids and taught us to do good. He taught us, by example, the value of service, to help people, using our knowledge, skills, and tools to be of service. We learned to do things well and we learned to do good things.
Carol Maggio
1953-2024
A passionate volunteer, Carol Maggio spent decades involved with both Girl and Boy Scouting instilling values of leadership and community service in countless youth. An avid reader, creative mind, and a warm friend, she brought joy and support to those around her, embodying the spirit of love and connection. Carol will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege to know her. Her legacy of love and service will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
From Sue George
I knew Carol Maggio quite well, ever since she moved in on the street. And before that, I knew her parents. Carol was a dedicated postal employee in Kentfield for many years. She did a lot of neat things with the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts. She was always into crafts and integrated that into her work with the Girl Scouts. Carol was one of a kind. She was really a go-getter, volunteered for most everything, and was totally dedicated to what she took on. She was a very loving person with her family and friends.
From Shelley Cooper
From a thankful parent and neighbor: For many years Carol was the leader of the Senior Girl Scouts in our area. I knew Carol through the Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops Stew Maggio led for many years here in Santa Venetia. Carol was “organizer extraordinaire”! She was instrumental in helping organize many field trips, most importantly the amazing Philmont Ranch, New Mexico backcountry adventures our sons were able to attend. Carol was the glue that kept parents involved with the troop, a necessity for a successful organization offering learning experiences and fun to keep the boys interested!
Barbara Perkins
1935-2024
We have lost yet another long-time SVNA member and Santa Venetia resident, Barbara Perkins. Barbara lived in Northbridge for more than 60 years. A dedicated homemaker, Barbara balanced raising her family with serving her community, volunteering countless hours to charities close to her heart. She was a passionate sports fan, loved to travel, and enjoyed her time playing Bridge with lifelong friends and spending summer afternoons at the Northbridge Pool, where she loved to swim. Barbara also had a great love for reading and continued to enjoy books throughout her life.
From Shirley Sinclair
Barbara and I have been friends for over 62 years. I moved to Northbridge in 1959 and Barbara came in 1962. We both had children of the same age, and all our kids went to Blessed Sacrament School and then Marin Catholic. Our husbands carpooled to the City together. At one point, we had a fire in my house and Barbara very generously took in our son to stay with them while we found a new place to live while it was being repaired. We did a lot together: went to Giants’ games, watched basketball games, visited the Northbridge Pool, and more. I grew up in SF and I was so happy when I moved here because it was so nice and warm. Barbara felt the same way, she loved Santa Venetia too. She was a dear, dear friend and I’m missing her terribly.
From Paula Kotzen
Barbara, who was an excellent swimmer, coached me this entire summer and encouraged me to do laps daily to build up my core strength in anticipation of the surgery. She was an exceptional woman. I never heard her ever say anything negative and even as it became evident that she was losing her battle with cancer, she would not flag! A woman of incredible Grace. For years Barbara was on the Board of the Northbridge Pool and involved in many of their decisions. So many people in Santa Venetia were acquainted with her by being members of the Northbridge Pool. Barbara always stepped up in her community – she worked at the polling place and cared very much about her neighborhood. And even though she didn’t live down here in “Lower Scabo”, she got the Communicator and read it front to back and always knew what was going on in our neighborhood.
From Roger Heller
Barbara devoted decades of service volunteering for the Northbridge neighborhood. She was a fixture at the pool and helped organize key pool fundraisers. She had a keen fashion sense and is truly unforgettable to anyone lucky enough to cross paths with her. She will be missed dearly, and we will try to take solace in the fact that she is now reunited with her husband Ray
Helen Sitchler
1937-2025
By Linda Levey
I was very sad to hear about the loss of Helen Sitchler. She has been a community staple since I first moved to Santa Venetia over 30 years ago. Soon after I moved here, I knew she was a big history buff as I was sent a copy of a book she wrote and another she researched about Santa Venetia (https://tinyurl.com/379su9cy) As noted in her Obituary and as others have mentioned, Helen was a lifetime volunteer. Besides working on our Medians and at our Labor Day Picnic, she volunteered for Friends of China Camp, serving on the Board of Directors, heading up and organizing Heritage Day as Head Docent, and more. She also served on the Heritage Committee of the Girls Scouts of America and held positions as a troop leader and national delegate. Helen was a Marin native and known for her love of the outdoors, kindness, support, and unwavering love for God and her family and friends.
From Dennis Bortoli
I have fond memories of Helen & Carl. They were there every 2nd Saturday, in good humor, ready to work on the medians. In fact, Helen accepted full accountability for one median. I looked forward to our conversations, especially when we had our SVNA sponsored lunch together. I also remember our days at the yearly SVNA Labor Day Picnic. I would be at the barbecue, Nanni would serve food, and Helen & Karl set up and kept everything stocked & ready. Helen also volunteered with the Girl Scouts and at China Camp Park. Helen was a blessing for our neighborhood — when she volunteered, she also brought her heart and soul and was a volunteer most neighborhoods can only dream about.
From Nanni Wurl
Helen Sitchler was a very dedicated volunteer. She joined our Medians Crew after she retired from the Emporium, over 20 years ago. Many times, she told me that she liked to work on the Medians as she enjoyed looking at them driving by, knowing that she kept them alive. She wanted to give back to the community.
From Sylvia Lakeman
It is hard to image our neighborhood without Helen’s presence. Over the years she devoted countless hours to the SVNA. She served on various committees, volunteered at social events including the Labor Day Picnic, and, with her husband Carl, was a devoted member of the ‘Median Crew.” Helen was a wonderful friend, and her passing has left a huge void in my life.
From Margaret Hoopingarner
Helen was my neighbor and friend. I have known her for 47 years. Helen and Carl were always there when I needed them. We used to walk around the neighborhood when I had dogs, and later we walked around the lagoon.
From Wayne Lechner
Helen was a very avid and loyal volunteer, working with us on the Median Strips for over 20 years. She had that same dedication to the Friends of China Camp and to the Girl Scouts. She was such a committed member of our team. She will be sorely missed.