Sandra Blair Blauvelt
Sandy Blair Blauvelt died peacefully at her home in Larkspur CA, on April 18, 2023. She had devoted her life to family, friends and community, and her warm and welcoming way touched the hearts of many.
Sandra Blair was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of seven children, and attended Hathaway Brown School where she was a junior skating champion, president of her high school class and later attended Wellesley College.
Sandy married Gerrit Blauvelt. The Blaluvelt family settled in Larkspur in 1971, where Sandy created an after-school enrichment program and worked politically in both the city and county, from which she retired in the early 2000 to spend time with family. She continued to serve the Larkspur Park and Recreation Commission for 42 years; was Citizen of the Year in 2005; and was the founding President of the Larkspur Community Foundation.
Sandy was predeceased by her husband Gerrit in 2018, and is survived by her daughter Molly Blauvelt, son Andy, and their families.
Carolyn Means
Carolyn Tuttle Means passed away peacefully at her home in San Anselmo, CA, on September 10, 2023. She was born on December 12, 1941 and grew up in West Hartford, CT. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1963, worked for several years in the publishing industry in New York City and then taught elementary school children there. She later moved to California where she lived for over 50 years. There she taught in elementary schools before she became fascinated by working in clay and commenced making pottery full time. She had a studio in Point Reyes, CA, showed her pottery in local museums and sold her works at local shops and craft fairs. Carolyn also studied Italian and had an apartment in Tuscania, Italy where she spent a month each year. She loved working in her garden, tending flowers and vegetables and playing with her calico cat, Stellina. She enjoyed reading widely, visiting art museums frequently and practicing Qigong regularly.
She was the daughter of Dr. Oliver W. Means, Jr. and Virginia T. Grant who predeceased her. Carolyn leaves behind two sisters, Virginia M. Giddens of Stockbridge, MA and Frances E. Means of Annapolis, MD. Her three older brothers predeceased her, but left her with beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held later in CA and CT. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carolyn's memory may be made to The Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and Marin Humane Society, Novato, CA.
Published Sept. 24, 2023 by San Francisco Chronicle .
Diane Montgomery Rice died at home in New London, NH on June 19, 2023.
Diane was born in 1942 in Exeter NH, daughter of Dr. Willard and Mrs. Clara Montgomery. She graduated from Abbot Academy, Wellesley College and Middlebury College Language School. Diane was good at everything she did: student, wife, mother, friend and teacher.
Diane married Charles Rice in 1965. They had a son, Luke Rice and daughter Kate Nilan. After the children were old enough Diane began teaching high school French. She was honored as a Presidential Teacher while at Westwood, MA High School.
Diane was Francophile. She majored in French, lived in France for 8 years, spoke like a native, cooked in the French way, sent her children to French public school, taught high school French and had French friends until her death.
Diane led an exemplary life. She taught by inspiration. Diane saw the good in others. That made her easy to like. She made friends quickly and kept them.
Diane is survived by her husband, son, daughter and granddaughters Ozette, Magali, Emma and Nora.
Those wishing to honor Diane’s life with a gift can consider Alzheimer’s Association. A memorial service will be planned.