Bruno Maffi

Ruth Emily Morrison

Lois Jean Goethe Sanchez

Margie Kirby

Marjorie (Margie) Brent Coleman Kirby was born April 21, 1929 in Westwood, Calif. She went to her eternal rest Aug. 21, 2012 in Reno, Nev.

A Celebration of Life was held Aug. 25, 2012 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Susanville. Interment was at the Westwood Cemetery.

She was the third of five children born to Marguerite and Roy Brent Sr. during a 20-year span. Her eldest sister, Betty, was born in Oakland, Calif. before the little family moved to Westwood in 1917 as the town was being built. Brother, Bud, was to become Margie’s protector; little brother, Roy, her childhood nemesis; and baby sister, Eve, the oft-spoiled attention getter.

At 17, she married Dean Coleman and bore two daughters, Leona Mae and Kathlene (Kathy) Marie. She later became a single mom, but maintained the Coleman family’s Latter-day Saints faith, which sustained her throughout her life.

Her marriage to William Dave Kirby in 1953 was blessed with children Virginia Lee (Ginger), and William Dave, Jr. (Bill). As the little family quickly grew and married, six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren were added to the ranks.

She is survived by daughter, Kathy Ferguson and husband Terry, of Westwood; son, Bill and wife Kim Kirby, of Ogden, Utah; sister, Eve DeVeir, of Janesville, Calif.; grandchildren, David Van Meter, Corey Van Meter, Shelly Pfluger, Shawna Hall, Tracy Kindle and Wayne Kirby; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Dave; two daughters, Virginia (Ginger) Kirby and Leona Coleman Van Meter Abbott; her parents, Roy G. Brent, Sr. and Marguerite E. Brent; sister, Betty Brent Besaw Abrams; and brothers, Robert (Bud) and Roy Brent Jr.

Margie’s extensive memoirs are filled with childhood adventures in the idyllic setting of Westwood’s early days, and carried through to adult life with moves to the Chico and Red Bluff area and back. She took part in all the children’s activities, often filling leadership positions for their church and school groups.

Creating clothing, costumes, arts and crafts from her storehouse of materials, along with hiking jaunts with daughter Ginger, and family gatherings were the fabric of her life. She was a classified employee at Westwood High School for 18 years.

Her adventures didn’t stop there. A visit to see Bill, and his wife, Kim, in Spain took her and Dave to beautiful cathedrals and other medieval sights. Trips to Disneyland, the California Coast and other destinations with daughters Leona and Kathy likewise filled her memoirs.

Still looking for new challenges, Margie and Dave moved to Arizona to retire out of the snow, adding a storehouse of pictures and tales of four-wheel adventures, boat rides and trips to family reunions in California and Oklahoma to her archives.

Margie returned to Lassen County in 2011, living with her sister, Eve, for a time before settling in to her new home at Eagle Lake Village where she spent happy hours reading and taking part in activities and outings.

Throughout her long life Margie held God, family and friends above all else. Her smile and a kind word were always at the ready, creating a legacy of love for generations to come.

Bruno Maffi

Bruno Maffi, born in Westwood, Lassen County on July 31, 1931, passed away Aug. 28, 2012 at the age of 81 years.

Bruno is survived by his wife, Doris Maffi, and son, Joseph Maffi.

Bruno was a graduate of Chico State College. He was an Industrial Arts Teacher at Grant and Highlands High School from 1961 to 1993. After retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1333 58th St., Sacramento, Calif. Private interment will be at Diamond Crest Cemetery in Susanville, Calif. Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Diamond Crest Cemetery.

Ruth Emily Morrison

Ruth Emily Morrison, 97, died Aug. 27, 2012 in Country Villa Riverview, Susanville. She was born March 11, 1915 in Grass Valley, Calif.

Ruth is survived by her son, Mike and Brenda Morrison, of Susanville; brother, Russell Moyle, of Nevada City, Calif.; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Lois Jean Goethe Sanchez

Lois Jean Goethe Sanchez, 94, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 in Chico. She was born Sept. 28, 1917.

She is survived by her sons, Dan and Norm.

Memorial service will be held at noon Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012 at Diamond Crest Cemetery.