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Local residents who died recently include:
Lupita Leal de Monroy, 85, a longtime resident of Menlo Park, who was known for her dedication to education, multilingual teaching, and poetry, died on May 29 in El Paso, Texas, with her daughters by her side. Born on November 30, 1938, in Pesquería Chica, Nuevo León, México, Lupita earned her AA from Merced Junior College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish Literature from San Jose State University. She taught Spanish at Chabot College and the Cambridge Language Institute, published three poetry books, and attended international poetry conferences. A devoted parishioner at St. Raymond’s and St. Anthony de Padua, she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Marriage Counselor, and Gospel Reader. Lupita was also known for her extensive travels with her family, visiting countries across five continents, and her active role in translating homilies and administering the Community Dining Room at St. Anthony’s.
Dawn Podell, 80, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, who was dedicated to promoting diversity and community engagement, graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in anthropology and was known for her artistic talents, culinary skills, and deep compassion for others. Dawn, a fluent Spanish speaker, served on several committees and the board of Peninsula School. She married Allen Podell in 1966, raising their two daughters, Phoenix and Shani, while actively participating in their schools and activities. She was an accomplished artist with several art shows to her name, and she also worked as a bookkeeper for Allen’s business before starting her own company in the 1980s. A talented cook, she hosted elaborate dinners for friends, family, and clients, sharing her recipes with her children and grandchildren. She was also a passionate animal lover, enjoying her many cats in her later years.
Hazel H. Rand, 90, a decades-long resident of Palo Alto, who was dedicated to volunteer work at the Gamble Garden Center in her retirement, who received her BA in Anthropology from the University of Western Australia, and who was known for her creative landscape photography, avid traveling, love for cryptic crosswords, and quick wit, passed away in Colorado. Born in Bath, England, Hazel served in the WRNs (Women’s Royal Navy) and was an accomplished sailor with the Girl Guides – Sea Rangers. She worked at the Center for Radar Astronomy at Stanford University as a technical administrative assistant before retiring. Hazel was also known for her passion for Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and her extensive owl figurine and picture collection, earning her the nickname Hazowl. She always enjoyed a good laugh with friends and her sharp wit was appreciated by many.
Kathryn “Kit” Elliott Reitman, 74, a longtime resident of Redwood City, who founded Reitman Physical Therapy and was a dedicated member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the North American Institute of Manual Therapy, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists and who graduated from Colgate University as part of the first female class with a concentration in Psychology and completed her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at the University of California, SF, and who was known for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, brilliant mind, and zest for life, who was an avid outdoor enthusiast, a newly minted bridge player, and a voracious reader always sharing the best book recommendations, who was passionate about her llamas and cats, and who treasured summers at the family lake house in Maine, embodying her personal mantra: “Hike, swim, ski, kayak and travel!”
To read full obituaries, leave remembrances and post photos, go to Lasting Memories at obituaries.rwcpulse.com/obituaries/.
