Obituaries
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Born in Hong Kong, Szeto passed away peacefully in Alameda on March 5, 2014. Beloved husband of Lola, father of Ashley Lopes and owner of his pet Oreo. He is survived by his sibling Mok Sue of Emeryville and other siblings in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and in Hong Kong and was preceded in death by his brother, Szeto Wah. Szeto owned China Trade as an importer / exporter of Chinese herbs to Europe and was formerly a member of the American Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong. He enjoyed playing bridge, Chinese art, and was an avid reader. Services were held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oakland. Donations in Szeto’s memory may be made to the Alameda Welfare Council or the American Cancer Society.
Greer Family Mortuary and Cremation Services FD 1408 865-3755 www.greermortuary.com
Oct. 29, 1911 – Jan. 28, 2014
Merah Payne Carvelo passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 28, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry James Smith and Laurie Albon Smith, her husbands Carl V. Payne Sr. and William Carvelo, brother Harry William Smith, step-son Carl Vance Payne Jr., and niece Dale Smith Christensen (Steve). She was the devoted mother of Suzanne Merah Payne Mathieson (Jack), the cherished grandmother of John Carl (J.C.) Mathieson (Jill), Julie Corrine Mathieson Bauer. Step grandmother to Gretchen Lynn Payne Nees, Stacy Payne, and Jeff Minzer. She was a great-grandmother to Ava Michele, Jack Raymond and Connor John Mathieson. She was the loving sister-in law to Elinor (Dede) Smith.
She was a loving aunt to Keith (Anne), Barry (Julie), and Garth (Robin) Smith, a great aunt to their children and grandchildren. Merah was a native of San Francisco, attended schools in San Mateo and graduated from San Mateo High School. She loved sports, sewing and knitting. She participated in tennis, golf and swimming all her life. She worked as a bookkeeper for Victor Equipment Company of San Francisco until the birth of her daughter. She remained a stay-at-home mom and participated in Children’s Home Society, Robin Hood and Alameda PTA’s. She returned to work and was a school secretary in the Oakland Unified School District working at Franklin, Garfield and Toler Heights Elementary Schools.
After retiring from the Oakland Public Schools she enjoyed playing golf and doing water aerobics with the Alameda Wets into her mid-nineties. Merah will be remembered most for her love of sports, positive attitude, sense of humor, great physical strength, creative talents and her love for family. She lived a long, healthy and happy life and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Charitable donations can be made to East Bay Division Scholarship Foundation, Inc. c/o Jim Mc Vay, 260 Willamette Ave., Kensington, CA 9470, Alameda Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 2534, Alameda, CA 94501, or the charity of your choice.
Kathleen J. Strait was born March 23, 1944 in Alameda, to Eugene and Ann Hughes after sister Stephanie Young (Hillsboro, Calif.) and before brother Eugene (Alameda). Obtaining her Nursing Degree at SOC in Ashland, Ore., her 52-year devotion to the medical field was outdone only by devotion to her family.
It was in Ashland where she met and married Wilbur H. Strait, who preceded her in death (1999), together raising Kyle, Kirk and Kristen. Kathleen passed away February 22, 2014 in her hometown, surrounded by her children. Service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, March 21, at Scenic Hills Memorial Park, Ashland. A r r a n g e m e n t s in Oregon will be handled by: Litwiller- Simonsen Funeral Home, Ashland. www.litwillersimonsen.com.
Greer Family Mortuary and Cremation Services FD 1408 www.greermortuary.com 865-3755
