Burbank High Blog: May 2021

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Stephen Heller, BHS '65 (1947-2021)

Stephen Hertzel Heller

November 2, 1947 - February 19, 2021

Stephen H. Heller of Westlake Village, California, passed away suddenly at the age of 73.

Stephen was the husband of more than 52 years to the love of his life, Sandra; the original "girl dad" to three adoring daughters and their husbands, Sari and Michael Ratican, Shayne and Ryan LaChapelle, and Samantha and Jason Scherr; "Poppy" to seven beautiful grandchildren, Brennan, Cooper, Eden, Hannah, Collin, Elena, and Adelyn (and two grandpups, Oscar and Romeo); big brother to Robert (Kelila) Heller and Kenneth (Patti) Heller; brother-in-law to Cheryl Fish; and, Uncle or Cousin Steve to nearly a hundred more.

As a trusted attorney for more than 48 years, Stephen dedicated his entire career to protecting the rights of injured persons and those who lost a family member by the negligent or wrongful conduct of others.

Stephen's truest intention was to forge trusted connections with others through storytelling, sharing his BBQ delicacies, (his favorite go-to recipe was "First Timer's Ribs" by Steven Raichlen in "Raichlen on Ribs, Ribs, Outrageous Ribs"), and just catching up with family and friends.

Stephen loved an oatmeal raisin cookie, a good pen, clever puns and Argyle Sweater comics, Ken Follett, Herman's Hermits and classical music. However, nothing could compare to Stephen's deep and enduring love for his wife or, as he called her, his girlfriend, Sandy. From meeting in a ballroom dance class, to proposing to her while an undergraduate student at UCLA, he made sure her car was washed with a full tank of gas every week, wrote her love letters, and demonstrated time and time again that it never mattered where he was, so long as he was next to her, EGBOK (the acronym for "Everything's Gonna Be OK").

Stephen's love for his family was unparalleled. His memory will forever be a blessing.

Services were held virtually on February 23, 2021. In lieu of flowers and in honor of his memory, please consider making a donation to one of his favorite organizations: City of Hope (https://ourhope.cityofhope.org/StephenHeller) or Congregation Or Ami (https://congregationorami.shulcloud.com/payment.php).

Published in Los Angeles Times on Mar. 16, 2021.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Carl Schiavone, BHS '71 (1953-2016)

10th grade photo

Carl Lawrence Schiavone was born December 2, 1953 and he passed away November 14, 2016. His brother, Tony Schiavone, BHS '70, passed away in 1986. They had another brother, Jim Schiavone (1943-2014) who went to Bellarmine and then moved to Idaho.

RIP Carl, Tony and Jim.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Mark Diaz, BHS '72 (1954-2016)

Mark Diaz was born November 17, 1954 and he graduated from Burbank High in 1972.

Sadly, on June 17, 2016, Mark passed away.

We offer our sincere condolences to his sister, Carrie Diaz-Lathouwers and to the Diaz family who also lost their sister, Christie Diaz Hensley, BHS '81, in 2017. May God continue to comfort each of you I pray...

RIP Mark and Christie.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Liz Hirt McKenzie, BHS '71 (1953-2006)

Sadly, we just learned that Elizabeth (Liz) Jane Hirt McKenzie passed away Novemeber 2, 2006.

Liz was born in Pasadena, CA, on March 19, 1953. She graduated from Burbank High in 1971 and married Bob McKenzie, BHS '68, the following year.

RIP Liz.

BHS 1971 'IN MEMORIAM' LIST

NOTE: The Class Reunion for 1971 will be held Sept 10, 2021. Please contact Valerie for details. Her number is below.

BHS Class 1971 Deceased Classmates

by Valerie Giessinger Scott, BHS '71

818-414-0097

Sharon Elizabeth Coleman

Christopher Gillander

Terry Green

Elizabeth (Bette) Ann Grina

Maria Lucia Gucciardi

John Hoehn

Jeff Kuka

Susie Packard

Jacqueline (Jackie) I. Ravel

Kent Rimer

Michael Robb

Jeannette Elenor Rodriguez

Mary Thompson Haralson

Bill Verner

Monte Daugharty, BHS '64 (1946-2021)

Monte Daugharty

May 14, 1946 - May 24, 2021

Received this sad notice yesterday from Pam and Jon Kirkwood...

I just now received word from Monte Daugharty's sister (Dee Dee Daugharty Culotta '66) that Monte passed away today, May 24, 2021. Monte was a BHS Class of 1964 graduate. He collapsed at his home and passed away in the hospital, because they could not get his heart started again. Monte had just celebrated his 75th Birthday on May 14th and Dee Dee was able to join him at a Birthday Dinner. Jon and I have fond memories of Monte and Dee Dee singing together several years ago at a BHS/JBHS Reunion Picnic. We are stunned by his sudden passing. Our love, condolences and prayers go out to all of Monte's Family.

RIP Monte.

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Tamara Iwerks, BHS '84 (1966-2021)

Tamara Iwerks Webster

1966 - 2021

Ojai - Tamara Iwerks, age 54, died Friday May 14, 2021 in a hiking accident on the Rogue River Trail, Oregon. Tamara is survived by her immediate family, her parents, Don and Betty Iwerks, of Ojai, California, her husband, Daniel Webster; her sister Leslie Iwerks (BHS ‘88), brothers Larry (BHS '71) and John Iwerks (BHS ‘73); sister-in-law Chris Chapman; aunt Barbara Miller of Carlsbad, CA. and her beloved dog Milo.

Tamara was born on September 25, 1966 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Panorama City, California. She attended Horace Mann Elementary School, John Muir Junior High, and Burbank High School. She received her B.A. in Journalism at Cal State University Northridge, followed by a successful career as an on-camera reporter and anchor at Channel 2 News in Casper, Wyoming, WJBK TV2 in Detroit, Michigan, WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida and Channel 11 in Los Angeles, California. She won a News & Documentary Emmy Award for her impactful reporting on climate change.

For the last twenty years she has been the Director of Media Relations at PremiereTV, a broadcast media publicity company, overseeing satellite media tours, press junkets, radio media tours and more. Tamara lived in Ojai, California and Red Lodge, Montana with her husband Daniel. She enjoyed being near and spending precious time with her parents and family in Ojai and her wide coterie of friends from Burbank and Red Lodge. Tam was an avid hiker, wine enthusiast and curiously intrigued with Bigfoot and Mermaids! She had a fun, mischievous sense of humor and a heart of gold - she was arguably Neil Young's #1 music fan, having traveled the world to attend his countless concerts over the last thirty years. Tam lived and loved her life to the fullest. She wanted all stray animals to have loving homes, our pristine wilderness to be protected, and the LA Dodgers to always win. She left this earth doing what she loved: hiking in nature, surrounded by her beloved husband and dear friends. We will miss her terribly and will carry her love, memories and her lifelong gifts to us in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks to make donations in her name to her favorite charities: The Ojai Raptor Center in Ojai, California and Beartooth Humane Alliance in Red Lodge, Montana. Please visit Tamara's memorial website at www.tamaraiwerks.org for more information and updates.

Published in Ventura County Star from May 17 to May 22, 2021.

RIP Tamara.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Patti Howick MacKillop, BHS '63, Passed Away May 19, 2021

Jaydean Gordon Dyer just sent this sad note...

I just received word from her daughter that Patti Howick MacKillop class of ‘63 passed away last night, from complications of diabetes and heart disease. We were neighbors back in our elementary school years at Miller. We went through Muir and BHS together, then lost touch. A few years ago we reconnected and became good friends on fb. She was always a quiet person but also one of the nicest. It is sad. She was really a nice person. She will be missed.

RIP Patti.

Barbara Carbonneau, BHS '76 (1959-2021)

Today, Mary Eva Carbonneau posted this sad notice along with there wonderful photos...

Barbara Carbonneau - class of 1976, passed away on May 8, 2021 from cancer. She was 62 years old. She was a cheerleader and was a star athlete on the track and softball team. She is survived by her mother Olivia Carbonneau, brothers John Carbonneau (class of 78), LaRayne Hall-Carbonneau Rick Carbonneau (class of 81) sister Mary Carbonneau (class of 88) as well as her 2 kids, Loli and BJ who live in Michigan.

RIP Barbara.

Pat Morris Woods, BHS '72 (1953-2021)

Patricia Ann Morris Woods

March 12, 1953 ~ May 19, 2021

Today Alan Landros posted the following sad news...

Pat Morris Woods, BHS '72, passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 68 years of age. Pat was diagnosed on April 27th with ovarian cancer, which was only three weeks before her passing. She and her husband, Steve Woods, BHS '70, were married on April 14, 1973, and recently had their 48th anniversary. They moved from Burbank to Colorado Springs 25 years ago in 1996.

At BHS Pat was "Varsity Dog Walker" at the Varsity games, walking "Pleasant" the school mascot bulldog! The fourth photo below is Pat with Steve, walking "Pleasant" during one of the games!

Pat worked for Farmer's Home Mutual Insurance until early 1982, before her daughter and son were born in 1983 and 1985. For the last 15 years Pat worked as a PARA for special needs students at Woodmen Roberts Elementary School in Colorado Springs.

Because of Pat's strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, her family is assured that at 8:20 on Wednesday morning, May 19th, she instantly entered her eternal HOME in HEAVEN.

Pat is survived by her husband, Steven K. Woods; her daughter, Laura Woods Longhenry; her son, Andrew Woods; son-in-law, A.J. Longhenry; daughter-in-law, Rachel Woods; and four grandchildren, Addison and Jacob Longhenry, and Aedin and Rylynn Woods. All of them live in Colorado Springs. Pat is also survived by two sisters, Dee Dee Morris Sincomb, BHS '74, of Southern California, and her family, and Diana Morris, BHS '77, also of Southern California; and sister-in-law, Penny Woods Austin, BHS '72, also of Colorado Springs, and her family. Pat was predeceased by her parents, Luther and Betty Morris, and by her in-laws, Harry and Irma Woods.

RIP Pat.

MAY 25, 2021 UPDATE

The MEMORIAL SERVICE for Pat will be:

Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 1:00 P.M. Woodmen Valley Chapel (in the old stone chapel)

280 E. Woodmen Rd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919

Please call or text Steve for any additional information.

Steve Woods: 303-250-5432

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Gary Moore, BHS '85 (1967-2021)

Gary Randolph Moore

July 31, 1967 - April 13, 2021 (53 years old)

Burbank, California

Melody Ske posted these photos and this sad note on Facebook yesterday...

"Gary Moore passed away April 2021. Gary was class of 1985, he will be missed. Rest In Peace Gary."

Visitation was held on May 6, 2021 at 1:00 pm at Valley Funeral Home, 2121 West Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA.

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

Martin Lillibridge

RIP Bulldog

Nick Liosis

Oh Wow, Memory Eternal

Vince Stephens

Wow!! RIP my friend and teammate! You will be missed! How did he pass away? Was he sick?

Melody Ske

Vince Stephens they think from a Heart Attack.

Vince Stephens

Melody Ske I am so sad....he looked great and seemed in fantastic spirits last I spoke to him.

Melody Ske

Vince Stephens yes he did, I saw him last June and he looked to be doing well. I’ve known him since I was about 6 years old, our parents were neighbors. I realized today at his service that it wasn’t announced he had passed and I wanted people to remember him and know.

Vince Stephens

Melody Ske we were friends and football teammates at Burbank High. I just spoke to him around Christmas

Angie Capuano-Hunter

RIP my friend, forever in my prayers.

Mark Stover

so sad !

Peggy Melton Cyphers

RIP fellow Bulldoger

Chad Keiser

May he rest in eternal peace

Vicki Herrin Fields

Rest in Peace

Loanne Walker Ginchereaux

Nadine Aguirre Lujan

RIP

Julian Almaraz

RIP

George Pouzbouris

So sad to hear. RIP Gary

Brenda Rossie-soto

Omg I remember him he was a yr before me, very nice guy why are so many of us going so young, was it the water in Burbank? The lead? God bless his family and friends

rip

Mary Joan Swartzbaugh