Obituaries
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Our dear mother of three, grandmother of four and great grandmother of two, Julie Jarratt entered Heaven’s gate on Friday, May 26, at the age of 86. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who was always there when we needed her.
She was a beloved childcare provider and helped raise so many children throughout her career of over 60 years.
She was also an avid Raider fan. She had all her Raider gear from hat to shoes and sat in the black hole rain or shine every home game.
We have so many fond memories with our mom and grandma. She was truly the center of our world and life will never be the same.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents and husband Richard Jarratt, Sr. and leaves behind her two daughters Nina Alves and Darlene Simpson, her daughter-in-law Sue Alexander, her son Richard Jarratt, Jr., her son-in-law Chet Simpson, her grandsons Ernie Winslow, Trevor, Justin and Logan Simpson, and her great granddaughters Ariana and Moriah Winslow.
Julie’s service will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at 4499 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, on this Saturday, June 10, at 1 p.m. The family viewing will be from noon to 1 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the service.
Sharon Tighe passed away on March 8, 2023, in Lacey, Wash., where she had lived since the 1980s, due to complications from a stroke. Sharon was the daughter of the late Ferdinand (Ferd) Tighe and the late Louise Tighe. Sharon was born on April 11, 1947, at Alameda Hospital and was the eldest of four children.
She leaves behind sisters Colleen (Tighe) Ede (Ron), Patricia (Tighe) Knight (David) and brother Kevin Tighe. She was aunt to Genelle White-Johannessen, Stuart Tighe, Liam Tighe and great aunt to Rielle White-Johannessen. Sharon also leaves behind cousins Barbara (Smrtsik) Ellimg (Jim), John Smrstik and Lori Elling, as well as Kelly Scott, her faithful and devoted significant-other who was by her side for decades.
Sharon attended St. Joseph’s Grammar School in Alameda and St. Elizabeth’s High School in Oakland, graduating in 1965. After graduation, Sharon held a variety of jobs in San Francisco beginning at Pacific Telephone and the Hearst Corporation. Sharon loved working in the “City” and enjoyed the experiences that came along with it.
As a teenager, Sharon loved listening to her Rock & Roll collection of numerous 45’s, with one of her favorite bands being the Beach Boys. Sharon was thrilled to be able to attend two of their concerts, one in July of 1964 and the other in December of 1965, both of which were held at the Oakland Auditorium. She further enjoyed being able to attend one of Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Shows when it came to Treasure Island.
No services are scheduled at this time as there will be a memorial for Sharon to be held at a later date.
Marjorie B. Ryan passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 12, 2023.
She was greeted in heaven by her husband of 69 years Walter H. Ryan Jr, her eldest son James F. Ryan, her brother Lucien T. Rankin III (Skip) and her parents Lucien and Josephine Rankin.
Marjorie is survived by her daughter Pattie DiFraia, son-in-law Chris, sons Danny and Mike Ryan, daughters-in-law Yvette Ryan, Laurie Santos and Sheila Ryan, her grandchildren Nick and Megan DiFraia and great-grandsons James and Conner Linde. She is further survived by her sister MaryAnn DeMerritt, brother-in-law Gary, sister-in-law Felicia Rankin and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marjorie was born on Feb. 8, 1931 in San Francisco. At the age of six, she moved to Alameda but still spent a huge amount of time in the city at the home of her grandparents who loved her dearly and spoiled her rotten. She was an only child for the first 13 years of her life and enjoyed being the center of attention. Marjorie attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and graduated from Notre Dame High School.
As a teenager, Marge aspired to become a beautician but a career day visit from a nursing program changed the direction of her life. She attended Mary’s Help Hospital College of Nursing graduating in 1952 and earned her Registered Nurse certification in 1953. She was initially told that her specialty should be in the psychiatric department but Marge found her calling working in obstetrics in the new born nursery.
After a 45-year career, she retired from nursing in 1996 after making Alameda Hospital her home for 43 of those years. During this time, she often told stories of babies born to Oakland A’s or Raider’s team members that she insisted a signature be required before their baby could be held. She received quite a few autographs for her husband and sons and got a chuckle from the new dads.
Marge loved to travel with her husband, family and her friends. She and Walt enjoyed their cruise vacations to tropical isles and the frozen north. They traveled across the United States to attend Walt’s many military reunions and Marge spent time in Hawaii and Mexico with her nursing buddies. One trip that was the most memorable was a family reunion arranged by Marge to the island of Kauai . Family has always been a priority to Marge and this vacation was so meaningful to each one of us. During the earlier years, a cabin in Sheep Ranch was the family destination. From frogs in the shower, mice in the oven and bats flying overhead, Marge did her best to enjoy the country life and create incredible memories for her children.
Marge looked forward to her bus trips with the Alameda Travelers and became involved with the organizational side of it. Gambling trips to Reno were especially fun because she could sneak away and spend time with her daughter and grandkids.
She was very active in the Native Daughters of the Golden West assuming officer positions and taking part in committees. She was involved with the Mastick Senior Center and for a number of years served as an escort for the many popular bus trips that she helped to arrange. Marge had responsibility for the monthly birthday events and made sure the Bingo games went off without a hitch.
In 2022, Marge made the decision to move to Nevada to be closer to her daughter. During these six months, she became involved at her senior living center by serving as vice-president of the resident board and volunteering as a member of the Ambassador Club (welcoming committee). She had family by her side virtually every day during this time and made many new friends at her new residence.
Marge will be forever loved by her family and friends.
Marjorie will be laid to rest with Walt at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery with a celebration of life to be scheduled at a later date.