Obituaries Obituaries (September 23, 2005)

Shirley Alice Cotten

Shirley Alice Cotten died Sept. 2 at the age of 70.

She was born Oct. 24, 1935. She enjoyed golf, boating, camping, reading, crossword puzzles, games, cooking and spending time with her family. She was a long-time respected member of the real estate community in the Tri-Valley area. She is remembered for her selflessness, sense of humor and knowledge and was known as an independent and pragmatic woman.

She is survived by her sons Patrick and Randall Pickerell of Pleasanton and Stephen Mayhugh of Livermore; daughter Suzanne Carpenter of Brentwood; sister Donna Foureman of Cincinnati; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husbands Donald Cotten and William Pickrell.

Her family held a private celebration of her life. Donations may be made to Hope Hospice in Dublin or the Disaster Relief fund of the American Red Cross. Dorthea Elizabeth Gottesman

Dorthea Elizabeth Gottesman, a Pleasanton resident for 34 years, died Sept. 2 at the age of 68 after a long respiratory illness.

She was born Jan. 18, 1937 in Holland and emigrated to the U.S. in 1960, settling in the Tri-Valley in 1964. She worked at ValleyCare as a nurse for 32 years. She is remembered for her knitted creations, bright smile and love of life and the beach.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Alan Gottesman; daughters Etienne DeGroot and husband Paul, Mindy Smith and Michelle Walker; sons Rick, Scott and Andy Gottesman; and four grandchildren.

A memorial was held at Graham-Hitch Mortuary. Donations may be made to ValleyCare Medical Center. Robert Darl Hollibaugh

Robert Darl Hollibaugh died Sept. 9 at the age of 79.

He was born Sept. 1, 1926 in Oakland and spent most of his life living in Hayward. He moved to Pleasanton two years ago. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and participated in campaigns on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Japan. After returning from the war, he worked as a foreman for DeLaval Turbine in Oakland for 40 years. He was also an inventor and a writer who was finishing the last chapter of his novel when he died.

He is remembered for his kind heart, generosity, loyalty, modesty and hard working nature. He put everyone before himself and was his wife's caregiver for more than 20 years.

He is survived by his daughter Pat Davis Moorehead and her husband George of Pleasanton; brother James Hollibaugh of Sedro Woolley, Wash.; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Frances Hollibaugh.

A funeral service was held at Cornerstone Fellowship followed by a burial service at St. Augustine's Catholic Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, 3027 Penitencia Creek Rd., San Jose 95132, the American Heart Association or the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.