Obituaries

Lamorinda Death Notices

Some of the people with ties to Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda who have passed away recently

Mary Biehl Cook, a resident of Lafayette, was born in Oakland. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley and was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She was an avid reader and Mah Jongg player loved traveling to Fallen Leaf Lake. Cook died on Oct. 31 at the age of 89.

Louis T. Marracci, a resident of Lafayette and Walnut Creek, was born in Sacramento and grew up on a family farm there. He served in the U.S. Navy. He worked for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, first as a lineman and then in management positions. He was president of the San Francisco Council of Pioneers. He was the coordinator of the 1984 Olympic Torch Run from Novato to Santa Monica. After retirement,  he volunteered in many organizations, especially those that helped people who are blind or deaf. Marracci died Oct. 4 at the age of 92.

Judith Wheeler Shimizu, a resident of Lafayette, was born in Ohio. She obtained a medical technology degree from the University of Cincinnati. She moved to California with her husband in 1966 and raised their children in Berkeley before settling in Lafayette. She earned a CPA degree and enjoyed a 25-year accounting career in the Lafayette and Walnut Creek areas. She was an active volunteer in schools. Shimizu died Oct. 27 at the age of 73.

John Gunst III, a resident of Moraga, was born in Wisconsin. He earned a business degree from Miami University of Ohio. He worked for 31 years as a financial adviser at E. F. Hutton. Gunst was a member of the Moraga Lions Club, serving as president for many years. He also coached softball and basketball. Gunst died Oct. 18 at the age of 61.

John Schommer, a resident of Orinda, was born in Wisconsin. He graduated from U.C. Berkeley and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. Schommer died Oct. 27 at the age of 84.



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