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Obituaries

Catherine M. Nugent

Catherine M. Nugent died Sept. 20 at the age of 93 after a brief illness.

She was born in 1917 to Richard M. Nugent and Rebecca (Keppel) Nugent in Gridley. After graduating Gridley High School she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics from Chico State College. She taught for six years in McArthur, Calif., and moved to Pleasanton in 1944. She then taught at Amador Valley High School until her retirement in 1982 and for the rest of her life continued to receive notes, cards and visits from former students.

She was an avid reader and a wonderful conversationalist who enjoyed travel, dining out with friends, gardening, cooking and sewing. She attended Centerpointe Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Presbyterian Women. She was also the keeper of the family history for the Nugent and Keppel relatives.

She is survived by cousins Nancy Hosler Zumwalt (Wally) of Oroville, and Dr. Michael Nugent (Naomi) of Livingston, Mont. A memorial service is planned for 2:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church, 3410 Cornerstone Court, Pleasanton. Private funeral services have been held at Gridley-Biggs cemetery.

Rosita L. Villamor

Rosita L. Villamor, a resident of Pleasanton, died Oct. 1 after a long illness.

She was born in Tarlac, Concepcion, the Philippines, and raised in a tight knit family. She married Ramon Villamor in 1958 and they had two children. The family immigrated to the Washington, D.C., Metro Area to pursue the American Dream. She held various positions with the Montgomery County government before retiring in 1998. They moved to Vero Beach, Fla., and eventually to Pleasanton in 2006 to be closer to their son and his family. She enjoyed shopping, dancing and spending time with her grandchildren.

Mrs. Villamor was preceded in death by her oldest son Raymond. She is survived by her husband Ramon of Pleasanton; son Rodell and his wife Ella, and three grandchildren of Castro Valley; and siblings Nenita, Francia, Mercedes, Cezar and Ben.

Visitation will be from noon-5 p.m. Oct. 10 at Graham-Hitch Mortuary in Pleasanton with a vigil at 2 p.m. Funeral mass and burial will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 at St. Augustine Church, 3999 Bernal Ave. in Pleasanton with a reception to follow.

Kathryn Brancato

Surrounded by her family and friends, Kathryn Brancato died at ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton on Sept. 20, at the age of 47, after a long fight with cancer.

She was born Sept. 23, 1962, in Saigon, South Vietnam. She and her family moved to California in 1975. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother who always put her family first.

She is survived by her husband of 26 years, John; daughter Erica and her fiance Benjamin of Pleasanton and son Zachary of Pleasanton; sister Thuy and brother-in-law Ernie Culley and nephew William of Santa Rosa. She is also survived by a large circle of close friends whom she regarded as family. Donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (shop.stjude.org or to a charity of choice. A memorial service was held Sept. 25 at Centerpointe Presbyterian Church in Pleasanton followed by a reception at the family home.

Billie Daniel

Billie Daniel, 75, of Pleasanton died Aug. 30 at the Riverchase Nursing Facility in Birmingham, Ala., due to complications related to diabetes, after spending 13 years in the nursing home.

She was born in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 16, 1935, to Cleat and Ruth (Mullis) Bartlett and married Homer Daniel in 1964. Mrs. Daniel was a registered nurse and worked at Laurel Grove Hospital (later Eden Hospital) in Castro Valley for almost 30 years. She enjoyed traveling and was especially fond of cruises. She loved living in California and was a resident of Pleasanton for 28 years before leaving due to her illness.

She is survived by a daughter and her spouse, Kimberly and Matthew Gormley of Tiburon; three brothers, Barron Bartlett of Birmingham, Ala., Monte Bartlett of Oak Island, N.C., and Dan Bartlett of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and one grandson. Everyone is invited to a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 240 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon.

Gladys Elizabeth Nelson

Gladys Elizabeth Nelson, a resident of Castro Valley, died Sept. 29 at the age of 96.

She was born March 15, 1914, and raised in Wisconsin. She had her own business in Marysville for many years, and upon retirement moved to Castro Valley where she lived for 21 years. Gardening was her passion.

She was predeceased by her grandson Jeffrey Gardner of Pleasanton. She is survived by her daughter Janice Gardner of Pleasanton; grandsons Ron Gardner of San Jose and Steve Gardner of Pleasanton; and three sisters, Edna Franks of Castro Valley, Doris Germeman and Beverly Voss of Wisconsin. A memorial service was held Monday at Graham-Hitch Mortuary in Pleasanton. Donations may be made to Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Ave., Dublin 94568.