'%/2'% -!#&!2,!.$ George MacFarland, 73 made his debut in heaven on Wednesday, July 14 surrounded by his family. He fought a brave and heroic year long battle with cancer. George was born on December 6, 1936 in Philadelphia to George and Mary MacFarland. He has 2 younger brothers, John and Bob with whom he loved to spend time. He graduated from Cheltenham High School where he met the love of his life and best friend, Betsy Heacock. George went to The University of Delaware, became a member of the ATO fraternity and graduated with degrees in Engineering and Fine Arts. George and Betsy were married in 1958 and have three daughters, Margee, Kate and Jennifer. They had 51 wonderful years of marriage. During his working career he worked for Philadelphia Electric
and Raychem Corporation. The family moved to Los Altos in 1971. His work with Raychem moved the family to France for 2 years and George and Betsy to Australia for 2 years. He retired in 1997 after 31 years with Raychem. George and Betsy loved to travel and spend time with extended family. Once he retired, George loved to golf with his many golf buddies, volunteer with OICW/Jobtrain, tutor 4th graders in reading at a local elementary school, teach Sunday School at PBC, body surf on the Jersey shore, play bocci ball on the beach, ride his bike, and cheer his 6 grandchildren on in a variety of sporting events. George was a man of integrity, strong faith in His Savior, Jesus Christ, and had great zest for life. He loved people and will be missed by many. Services will be held on Saturday, August 14 at 2 pm at Peninsula Bible Church. For more information please visit: www.spanglermortuary.com. In lieu of owers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or CaringBridge.org. PA I D
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./2-! "2/5.34%). ,%6)4!. Norma Brounstein Levitan, age 96, died at home at Palo Alto Commons on Monday, July 19, 2010. Throughout her life, her posture remained erect; her mind, engaged and clear; and her politics, progressive. She was thrilled to ďŹ nd that as long as she remained open to new experiences, she would continue to have them, and that well into her nineties she could learn, experiment and grow. Norma relocated to Palo Alto at the age of 80 and was fortunate to live for many years at the corner of Homer and Bryant, close to downtown. She loved to walk to nearby stores and medical appointments, admire the crafts-style houses of “Professorville,â€? and maintain ongoing volunteer commitments. Norma was born November 11, 1913, in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, she thought that the celebrations of the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front were in honor of her ďŹ fth birthday. In 1933, at the age of 19, she graduated cum laude from Brooklyn College. Although she had studied to become a Spanish teacher, such jobs were not available during the Great Depression. Instead she was proud to have worked her way up to an executive position at the historic Macy’s Department Store in Herald Square, Manhattan. On New Year’s Eve 1941 Norma married Paul H Levitan while he was on leave from the US Army following the Pearl Habor invasion. After the birth of their three children, Norma and Paul moved to Mt Vernon, New York, where she volunteered in the public schools, was on the Board of Sinai Temple and the President of its Sisterhood. Long before “feminist consciousness raising groupsâ€? were named as such, she participated in weekly discussions held for much the same purpose. In 1965, Norma and Paul relocated to North Miami, Florida, and Norma worked at an insurance agency. A few years later they moved to Bat Cave, North Carolina, where they built a home atop a small mountain, planted a large garden, joined the Volunteer Fire Department Page 14ĂŠUĂŠ Ă•Â?ÞÊÎä]ÊÓä£äÊUĂŠ*>Â?ÂœĂŠ Â?ĂŒÂœĂŠ7iiÂŽÂ?Ăž
and Auxiliary, and became involved with a totally new and different community. Norma arrived in Palo Alto in 1993 and thoroughly enjoyed the 17 years she spent here. She became an integral part of her daughter Rita’s family and immersed herself in Palo Alto civic life. She attended preschool holiday celebrations, elementary school class plays, piano recitals, and youth orchestra performances. She participated in family Hanukkah celebrations, Seders, Thanksgivings, and birthdays. Many came to know Norma as “GG,â€? the name bestowed by her great-granddaughter. She volunteered at the Senior Center (later known as Avenidas) and at Innovative Housing, as well as at the Palo Alto Police Department, which recognized her ten years of service with an award presented after her 92nd birthday. For many years she staffed polling stations on election days, worked on school board elections and on school bond campaigns. Throughout her life, Norma remained willing to embrace new experiences and live life with gusto, enjoying the new friends of all ages that she made along the way. Her good posture and brisk stride were noted both on the streets of Palo Alto and later in the halls of Palo Alto Commons. Norma was predeceased by her parents, Esther and Louis Brounstein; her husband of 47 years, Paul H Levitan; her brother, Martin Brounstein; and her grandson, Josiah Levitan-Reiner. She is survived by her children Rita Giles (John Hughes) of Los Altos Hills, California; Lois Levitan (Martha Armstrong) of Ithaca, New York; and Alan Levitan (Jane) of Shepherdstown, West Virginia; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Brody Giles (Tracy) and their daughter Sarah, Joshua Giles and his son Zachariah, Nick Hughes, Paul Hughes, Katya Levitan-Reiner, Teo Levitan-Armstrong, Emily Levitan, Elizabeth Levitan Krinock (Joe) and Laura Levitan. Norma’s strong desire to donate her body to the Stanford Medical School has been fulďŹ lled. For those who would like to do so, memorial contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice Foundation, 585 N. Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 (or online at www.pathwayshealth.org). PA I D
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Transitions Deaths Gretchen Bynum
Gretchen Luepke Bynum, 66, a former USGS Menlo Park employee, died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease July 3 in Fremont. She was born in Tucson, Ariz. She was a 1961 graduate of Catalina High School in Tucson. She then attended the University of Arizona, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1965 and master’s degree in 1967, both in geology. She then went on to a 32-year distinguished career as a geologist with the United States Geological Survey in Menlo Park. During her career, she published numerous scientific papers, edited many books and attended numerous international geological conventions. After retiring in 1999, she continued with the USGS as an emeritus working on various projects. In 1982, she met the love of her life Robert F. Bynum, a Silicon Valley engineer. They were married October 2, 1999, in Tucson. They always participated in each other’s activities and traveled together. She played the flute in her high school marching band and the University of Arizona marching band. Over the past 20 years she continued her flute playing with the Woodside Village Band and The Duckweed Band. She was also a mineral collector who exhibited at the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, where she won numerous awards. She loved the outdoors and supported many environmental organizations. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 37051 Cabrillo Terrace, Fremont. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The University of Arizona, Department of Geosciences.
Florence Minard Florence Anna Paulsen Minard, 103, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died July 5 in Menlo Park. She was born in Palo Alto in 1907. After graduation from Palo Alto High School she attended Stanford University, where she met her husband, Claude Minard, a law
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student. They married in 1927 and moved to Fresno where he worked as an assistant district attorney. They lived briefly in Sacramento when he was elected to the State Assembly then returned to Palo Alto after he became Secretary of the State Bar Association. In 1938 she advocated for the welfare of children and joined the Palo Alto Auxiliary to the Stanford Convalescent home (the forerunner of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital) at Stanford. She worked as a volunteer server at the auxiliary’s restaurant at Allied Arts in Menlo Park and at rummaged sales for decades. She remained a member for the rest of her life. She later led a Girl Scout troop and tutored in Palo Alto and Ravenswood schools. She volunteered at the Red Cross, planted a large victory garden and raised chicken in her backyard during World War II while her husband served as a military governor in North Africa and Europe. She transported teenagers to farms in Santa Clara Valley to harvest apricots and green beans and rolled up her sleeves to help alleviate the wartime labor shortage. She enjoyed and traveling and exploring American and European cities. Reading was a life-long passion. She also loved going to the opera, playing bridge and was a creative seamstress and. After she became a window, she shared her home with Stanford students from the U.S. and Africa. Late in life, she became interested in peace and social-justice issues and had never missed voting in any election until she was 101. She is survived by her daughters, Paula Berka of Menlo Park and Sally Brice of Half Moon Bay; and 14 grandchildren. A private service will be held in August. Memorial donation may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
John Nasr John C. Nasr, 85, a ongtime Palo Alto resident, died at his home July 16. He (also known as “George� by his friends and family) was born in Alexandria, Egypt. He was educated at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon and later at
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