Human r ights Commission deCommissioned

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Tuesday’s El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting saw one final attempt to stop the Human Rights Commission from being disbanded.

A final reading for an ordinance to dissolve the commission indefinitely became a consent item, meaning a formal discussion among supervisors would not commence, but some residents did not let the topic slide.

Inside board chambers protestors carried signs with messages of oppression or discrimination to show their disapproval of the board action.

“Human rights affect all of us at every facet of our lives,” said Michel Brandt, an El Dorado Hills resident. “We are bringing up young children and if they do not understand that everyone has value and importance, then they are growing up in a void.”

Brandt, like others who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, expressed concern the county was doing away with a resource meant to promote tolerance and respect among different genders, races, religions and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Placerville resident Janet Rossi wrote a letter to the board, one of many supporting the Human Rights Commission, questioning the issues that sparked the board’s divided decision.

“Our county is already known

Obituaries

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

Caroll S. Tuttle

July 13, 1930 - Jan. 9, 2023

Caroll Tuttle, 92, of Placerville, California, passed peacefully, surrounded by family on January 9, 2023.

A native Californian, Caroll lived in the Bay Area most of his life. He graduated from San Leandro High School and earned degrees from CSU Hayward, Santa Clara University, and Eastman School of Music.

A musician, college teacher, and psychotherapist, Caroll made a lasting impression through the years. Most will remember Caroll best as a musician spreading joy through his music. He began performing at a young age and later toured throughout the country with various shows and bands. He was still arranging and performing music locally into his 92nd year!

Caroll was a life-long learner, with interests which included gourmet cooking, entertaining, and deep conversation.

Caroll is survived by his much-loved blended family.

A celebration of Caroll’s life will be held on April 8, 2023. Please contact the family at TuttleCelebration@gmail.com for information.

Michael Edgar

Coulson

Aug. 18, 1951 – Jan. 9, 2023

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher and coach, Mike is survived by his wife Diane; daughters McKenzie, Hillary, and Kym; sister Sharon; brothers Ron and Bob; and grandchildren Jake, Andrew, Basil and soon-to-beborn Rory. The oldest of five children, Mike was born in Denver, Colorado, to the late Annabelle and Edgar Coulson.

A lifelong athlete and spirited coach, Mike attended Ponderosa High School and played football at American River Community College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He was an All-American selection at Cal Poly, where he earned his BA in Physical Education and an MA in Education.

In the early 1980s, Mike was a teacher and head football coach at El Dorado High School; his team won the regional championship in 1983. While at El Dorado, Mike met and married the love of his life, Diane Moravek, whose two daughters he embraced as his own. The arrival of their third daughter, McKenzie, completed their family.

Mike’s career included 15 years as athletic director and head football coach at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon, followed by seven years as Director of Community Schools for the Lake Oswego School District, overseeing all youth sports. Mike loved teaching and mentoring young men to become the best versions of themselves. A 1998 New York Times article on the state of high school football in America included this quote from Coach Coulson: “For you on Friday night at 7 p.m., football should be the most important thing. But at 10 p.m. it shouldn’t be. On Sundays it shouldn’t be. It needs to be important to you while it’s going on, but at other times other things should be more important.”

His colleagues and former coaches regard Mike as one of the funniest, most sincere people they ever worked with. Though serious and driven, Mike invariably found the positive in everyone and was known universally for his infectious laugh and bright smile.

He also loved fishing, hiking, and hunting; at the time of his passing from a heart attack, he was duck hunting on Sauvie Island with one of his closest friends.

An open-to-the-public celebration of life will be held at the Foundry in Lake Oswego on April 22, 2023, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Betty Lou Lucy

Aug. 29, 1933 - March 14, 2023

Betty Lou Lucy, 89, died March 14. “Betsy”, daughter of Elsie and Alexander Craig passed away peacefully in her home in the Gold Hill area of Placerville, Calif. She is survived by her partner, Brian Lemley, her two sons, Scott Lucy and Brian Lucy, her daughter, Sharon Lucy, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Betsy Lucy was a homemaker for most of her life. She lived in many places across the country, but after arriving in the Placerville area with her (now deceased) husband, Jim Lucy, in 1983, she created and operated an antique furniture store, “Betsy’s Place”, in Diamond Springs. Betsy loved to reminisce about her childhood which included weekend trips with her parents to visit her grandfather’s (Noble Rhinesmith) farm in upstate New Jersey. She enjoyed restoring old furniture, cooking, reading, gardening, dancing, painting, and traveling. Her travel adventures took her across our country and all over the globe. Everyone who met her admired her spirit, her style, her beauty, her sense of humor, her kindness, and her willingness to experience all that life o ered to her. She is already greatly missed by family and many friends near and far.

David Anthony

Sauvé

Sept. 9, 1945 – Jan. 23, 2023

David Anthony Sauvé was born to parents Francis and Irene Sauvé on September 9, 1945 in Bay City, Michigan, and passed away on January 23, 2023 in Placerville, California.

He leaves behind his wife of 36 years Julie, and daughter Lindsay and spouse Peter, son Daniel and spouse Christina, and son Benjamin, as well as his siblings Paul Sauvé, Kathy Smock, Thomas Sauvé, and Jeanne Sharpy, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends, colleagues, and comrades.

Dave is best remembered for the fullness of the life he lived, accruing a vibrant range of interests, experiences, and talents that he loved to share with those important to him in life, of whom there were many. As a child and young man in Detroit, Dave grew a passion for cars (the “Motor City”), a love for music (“Motown” and later Detroit Rock n’ Roll), and a fandom for baseball and ice hockey. Dave was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam, a formative experience from which he took with him a lifelong dedication to duty, service, and compassion for all people. Dave remained active as an enthusiastic and essential life member of VFW Post 10165. He served as a board member of several veteran’s service organizations, and was honored as the 2023 El Dorado County Veteran of the Year.

Following his military service Dave completed his degree in fine arts at Wayne State University, where he developed his passion and talent for photography and journalism, and appreciation for art of all forms. Fed up with the frigid winters of Michigan, Dave struck out west for California, settling in Venice Beach, where he was able to live his dream with an apartment on the beach, sunny days playing volleyball, and trips to his favorite place to be in nature, Death Valley.

In his 32 year career with the U.S. Postal Service, he formed lifelong friendships with co-workers from Michigan to Venice to Shingle Springs where he retired in 2004. Dave was so skilled at so many of the tasks he put his mind to that he forayed into a variety of “side gigs,” including work as a handyman in Santa Rosa, California, where he met his wife Julie in 1982. Dave and Julie moved with daughter Lindsay to El Dorado County in 1985 where he found a community that he was proud to call home and raise a family in. He loved the open road, taking the family on weeks long car camping trips throughout the American west, and eventually visiting all 50 U.S. States; he loved sunsets over the fields and oaks of the gold country, and sunrises soaking in his hot tub. He was sharp and intellectual until the end, a dedicated Jeopardy fan and voracious reader, routinely consuming three newspapers per day. He was kind, caring, thoughtful and generous, always remembering “those less fortunate than us” at every family meal.

As Dave would say for all the service men and women, friends, and family that went before him, he is “gone but not forgotten.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at Shingle Springs Community Center on May 13, 2023 at 11 a.m.. Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.

Christine G. Ferris

July 27, 1952 - Dec. 13, 2022

Christine G. Ferris from Placerville, California passed away December 13, 2022.

Chris was born July 27, 1952 in Fresno, California to Dewey and Myrtle Poe. She was raised and educated in Rescue, California and graduated from Ponderosa High School.

Chris had a variety of interests. She was an Oakland Athletics fan and listened to many of the games on the radio. Other interests included Ballroom Dancing-Reading-the ocean and meditation-working with plants and traveling. She traveled to various places. Her last trip was to Vietnam. She spent many enjoyable hours pursuing family history and the study of genealogy. Her results were amazing!

Chris was always interested in healthcare and helping people. She volunteered as a candy striper after high school, assisted many to medical appointments, and eventually became a live-in caretaker for the elderly.

Chris is survived by her Son: Jason (Sue) Ferris of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Grandchildren: Sofi, Madison, and Ethan; Sisters: Linda (Bob) Keller of El Mirage, Arizona, Kathy (Alan) Elliott of Minot, North Dakota, and Charlene Muniz of Placerville, California.

She was preceded in death by her Parents and Brother-in-law Joe Muniz.

Chris will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered in San Francisco, a place that she enjoyed.

Gordon H. Smith

Dec. 28, 1940 - Jan. 21, 2023

Gordon was raised in Richmond, Calif., and served in the U.S. Army. A resident of El Dorado County for 47 years where he worked as a truck driver.

Gordon passed away suddenly after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Norma; daughter Christina Bist; son Edward Smith. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his brother Edgar Smith. He was preceded in death by his father Harry Smith, mother Evelyn Smith and is sister Jeanine Munson.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 2, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Wilkinson-Hupcey Building, 681 Main Street, Placerville.

Janet Joanne Valladao

Swart

May 1, 1944 – Feb. 23, 2023

Janet is survived by husband

Ralph Swart; daughters

Kimberly Swart Embree (Gary); and Melissa Swart Weikel (Mark); grandchildren Andrew Swart (Heather), Jordan Embree, Mariah Embree Hildebrandt (Eric), Logan Embree & Bethany Embree; brother David Blalock; & sister Roxine Johnson. Read full obituary & leave remembrances @ greenvalleymortuary.com

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Mary Susan (Sue)

Craig

April 18, 1938 – Feb. 17, 2023

Thirty-two years to the day after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, Mary Susan (Sue) Craig, was born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California - April 18, 1938. She was predeceased by her mother, Mary Virginia Olson, previously of Santa Barbara and Happy Camp, CA. Sue was surrounded by a loving family who saw to it that she was as spoiled (in a good way!) as she was loved.

Sue’s independent streak first glowed when her grandmother, whom she referred to as Mom, would chastise her for some misdeed and threaten to go after her. Sue, about 3 years old at the time, would run for her bedroom and throw herself under her bed where Mom knew she was hiding but couldn’t get her out. That rebellious nature never fully deserted her. She scored many firsts for getting into trouble at a young age…for example, riding horses far and wide across the hills of Castro Valley, testing the boundaries of her familiar territories and of Mom’s patience.

One summer in the 50’s she spent a couple of weeks on horseback working a cattle drive to move a herd from near Folsom (a small town at the time) to summer pastures in the High Sierra. She was in her element!

For years, she attended a Girl Scout Camp up in the glorious Redwoods. From age 8 on into her late teens, Sue went the entire summer. They had tents but they could also make a sleeping nest in the trunks and roots of the huge trees. She was about as natural as they come!

She was not only California born and bred but also lived and died within her beloved state. It suited her, especially her love of nature, everything flora and fauna, and also her love of history: places, artifacts and tools that spoke of an earlier time.

There was a part of Sue that could easily have been born 100 years ago and she would have thrived: she was a cowgirl, loved everything about black-smithing, never owned a power tool and preferred to split wood with a maul and wedges well into her 80’s. She had vehicles but if someone else would drive, all the better.

She never met an animal she didn’t like, except for rattlesnakes. Wherever she went, she ended up with something in her arms or on her lap, petting, stroking, smiling, and snuggling: dogs, cats, someone’s pet snake, interesting insects, deer, goats, raccoons, newts, salamanders, chickens, llamas, donkeys, or horses….All of these critters were pets at one time or another.

She graduated high school and went to San Jose State and LaVerne University for her BA. Her first career employment was California Youth Authority and in a few years she was the youngest Head Supervisor on the force. After several years, she returned to Cal Lutheran for her Masters program In psychology while working at Camarillo State Hospital as a teacher and a researcher within the Autism Program.

Under Ivar Lovass and his Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program at UCLA, she participated in some of the earliest educational research on behalf of children with autism. The method of ABA and Intervention remains a standard model for working with early autism to this day. It was also embedded in Sue’s teaching methods when she spent another 20 years teaching children with special needs including autism, and especially ones with reading difficulties at Gold Oak Union School District and with the El Dorado County Office of Education.

In 1978, Sue and a cohort of friends, moved onto 70+ acres outside Placerville, CA. They built a large geodesic dome, another country elegant home and a big barn that was completely Women Built. There was a large organic garden, running and hiking trails on the property, and through the years it was filled with hundreds of animals. From dogs and cats, to horses, a donkey, and a magnificent stud llama along with milking goats and their babies, several dozen laying hens, and a couple of attack geese.

Sue was an avid cheese and tofu-maker. Most people don’t know it, but warm tofu just out of the press is about as tantalizing as freshly baked bread!

She was an active volunteer in El Dorado County. She used her many years as a horsewoman and years of teaching to assist Kris Van Winkle with the Ride N Shine program that used horse-back riding to provide therapy to handicapped and severely handicapped children.

During the 80s and early 90s, she was instrumental in the revitalization of the El Dorado County Humane Society. Sue was active in many areas of the Society from donations and sales, to the Feral Cat Spay, Neuter, and Feeding program, and to finding homes for hundreds of homeless animals.

Sue was also a Docent at Coloma’s Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in the Blacksmithing Shop. She had a deep love of hand wrought and used tools. Although she came to blacksmithing as a mature adult, she loved every aspect of it and spent many an hour at shows, forge-in gatherings, and buying and selling tools of the trade. Sue helped many new blacksmiths outfit new shops. Educationally, California

History is a mandated class for all 4th graders and for most of the school year, they came by the busloads a couple of days each week. Her teaching and blacksmithing skills blended nicely!

Sue was always active in sports, starting as a competitive gymkhana rider, then a catcher in softball, and she was a fearless volleyballer who dove head-first for the dig. She also enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and both summer and winter camping, She and a group of friends would go tent camping in Yosemite Valley in the dead of winter. She loved long car trips throughout Canada and the USA, and enjoyed international travel to Latin America, South America, Europe and the Middle East.

One of Sue’s greatest gifts was her artistic eye that found beauty and meaning in obscure articles of nature and humanity. She could visit an antique store, or yard sale, or walk through someone’s barn or backyard and find something incredible, and walking through her home was like visiting an interestingly curated museum. Numerous talented artists and artisans loved Sue, and unsolicited, they would ‘make her something’ — they really appreciated her ‘eye.’ Sue’s business card read ‘Rust-N-Dust’ which was a tongue in cheek homage to her love of many things old.

In the mid-90’s, Sue was introduced to Buddhism by a good friend.

The calm, quiet, meditative, and self-inquiry required within Buddhism worked for Sue. Always a person to step up and help, she had no trouble with the concept of loving-kindness for all living beings. She practiced both with the Davis Shambhala Center and a small group of Buddhist friends until her death.

Sue was a breast cancer survivor of nearly 20 years. Her later years included facing Parkinson’s and Lewy Body with concomitant dementia. She was a trouper and didn’t let her situation keep her from living life. What she could no longer do alone, she did with friends or friends did for her. She took off her boots for the final time about a week before she passed.

During a profoundly quiet moment in the middle of the night with her long-time partner present, Sue slipped away into the Cosmos. She left us with a gentle smile.

Sue was both a force of nature, and a quiet hero, well-remembered and beloved by her Chosen Family and numerous friends. As she did with everything she touched, Sue did Life, Her Way.

A Celebration of Life, outdoors of course, will be held when the weather is warmer — Sue was an outdoors woman as we all know! Keep watching this site and as soon as we can secure a proper venue, we will post the Date, Time, and Place. It will be towards late April when the weather warms up a bit. Bring any Sue Snaps or Sue Stories to share!