John Edward Costain

Judy M. Rice died peacefully with her five loving children by her side. Born in Omaha Nebraska January 15, 1936 to John “Jack” and Theresa O’Connor, Judy remained true always to her Midwest roots – straightforward, honest, thoughtful and hardworking, and about family. When her family moved to Phoenix, Arizona Judy attended St. Frances Grade School and graduated from Xavier High Girls Preparatory School in 1953. Judy was a dancer for the Junior Phoenix ballet, and taught classes at the local Pima reservation. After that Judy attended Nursing School at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Phoenix where she graduated in 1956.

After working at St. Joseph’s Hospital for a year, Judy moved to San Francisco with her sister Patty, where she worked as a nurse in the operating room at St. Mary’s Hospital. After finishing that job, she, her sister, and two friends a spent summer traveling in Europe for three months, renting a car (an Opal) exploring the sights and cities. When Judy returned she went to work in the operating room as a surgical nurse at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco where she worked for many years, often the 3 pm to 11 pm swing shift. Judy loved her job.

In 1959, at the Carmel Mission, Judy married Peter H. Rice, from Steven’s Point Wisconsin. They settled in Mill Valley and raised five children: Mark, Mike (Jennifer), Suzi (Gordon), Katy (Ken), and Kevin (Ann), and Judy and Pete leave eight grandchildren (Gavin, Aiden, Denis, Evan, Olivia, Sara, Ryan and Quinn). Judy doted on her grandkids, they often called or visited, which would spark her day. She and Peter loved their weekend getaways to Carmel and Calistoga, their trips to Puerto Vallarta and their family Summer vacations in Lake Tahoe. Judy was “all go.”

After retiring from nursing, Judy worked for ten years at the front desk of a pediatrician’s office in Mill Valley, and loved working with the children of Mill Valley. Judy was a talented water color artist, and loved to play tennis. Her favorite place to be was at the beach. She later took up golf (right-handed, though a natural lefty) and loved going to the ATT Pro-Am in Pebble Beach with friends to watch the golf tournament. Judy was active at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, the Mill Valley Tennis Club, and the Mt. Carmel Parish. Judy loved her friends, her family and let everyone know how much she enjoyed them. To be in Judy’s company was always warm, memorable and special.

Beyond being in a loving partnership with Peter (who passed in 2019, after he and Judy shared 59 years of marriage), Judy loved life, loved to laugh, was keenly observant, spoke her mind unabashedly and expected everyone to also, loved watching football, golf and tennis and the TV show Jeopardy, and loved rooting for her favorite left handers, Phil Mickelson and Steve Young. Like Sinatra whose music she loved, Judy did it “her way”, and cherished her faith and her simple authentic rules to live by.

Celebration of Life Services will take place September 24, 2021 at 1 pm at St. Hilary’s Catholic Church at 761 Hilary Dr. Tiburon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Godmothers of St. Vincent School for Boys, 1 St. Vincent’s Drive, San Rafael CA 94903.

John Edward Costain died peacefully at home in Walnut Creek on August 14, from complications caused by Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Denver on March 24, 1938 to Marie Perry Costain and John McGregor Costain. He and his younger brother Robert were raised by their mother in Emeryville. In 1956 he enlisted in the Army where among his duties he was assigned to work on atomic weapons at Fort Bliss, Texas. Following his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Cal Berkeley and married Lynne Ross Costain. Their daughter Leigh was born in 1961. After receiving his BS degree, he started his first career as a questioned document examiner and expert witness for the United States Postal Service crime lab. In his early 30s, he changed direction, and enrolled in law school, attending USF Law School at night. In 1978, he began work as a criminal defense attorney at the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office and married his second wife, Annie Sorge Costain. Their daughter Annie was born in 1981 and their daughter Kelly in 1983. He retired from the Public Defender’s Office in 2000 but continued to practice criminal defense law in Marin County.

John had an inquisitive mind, a terrific sense of humor and a wonderful laugh. He was also a chef, a gardener, a carpenter and a

Jean Knox, 94, of Richmond CA passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2021. She was born Margaret Jean Henderson on March 26, 1927 in Buffalo NY to Margaret Lucas Henderson and Walter Ray Henderson, MD. The young family moved to Long Beach CA shortly after and Doc Henderson started his medical career. She shared a joyful childhood with her brother Ray and sisters Helen and Mary dividing their time between Long Beach and a small family farm in Garden Grove. Their menagerie included much-loved horses, dogs, goats and at one point a pair of pet racoons.

Jean studied English literature at Occidental College, where she met her husband of 68 years, John T. Knox (Jack). She received her MA in dramatic literature from Columbia University in 1949 and the couple wed at the end of that same year. They moved to the Bay Area where Jean became a founding faculty member of Contra Costa Junior College – West Campus (now Contra Costa College or CCC) and Jack enrolled in Hastings College of Law. Jean was passionate about the mission of CCC, “meeting the needs” of the students and community by providing remedial “catch up” learning, preparation for a four-year degree or vocational training. Jean was a respected instructor, diligent team player in the English Department, and ardent supporter of the college even after her retirement in 1985. The John and Jean Knox Performing Arts Center was completed in 2002.

Jean was the beloved mother of John H, Charlotte and Mary Knox. She was involved in all aspects of her kids lives and created a truly magical childhood. From 1960 – 1980, Jean also supported her master puzzle solver. He loved being out doors. His perfect day would be spent gardening at his home under the redwoods in Woodacre (where he and his wife Gail lived for 22 years), preparing a gourmet dinner and watching a British mystery. He fully enjoyed life.

John is survived by Gail Weinheimer, his wife of 34 years, Lynne Ross Costain and Annie Sorge Costain; by his daughters Leigh Costain, Annie DunawayCostain and Kelly Costain; and by his grandchildren Alex Tomelden, Annabelle Costain, Kaden Fachner, Elias Fachner, Damien Garcia Jenny Dunaway and Gavyn Dunaway. John’s brother predeceased him.

A celebration of life will be held on October 9, 2021, from 2-5 pm, in Walnut Creek. Contact gweinheimer3@gmail.com for further information and to RSVP.

A celebration of his life will be held on October 9, 2021, in Walnut Creek.