Sandra Ortiz Taylor

Visual artist Sandra Ortiz Taylor was born in 1936 in Los Angeles to John and Juanita Taylor. She died peacefully and unexpectedly in the Frank Residences in San Francisco, after spending seven months in Memory Care. She earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA and a master’s from the State University of Iowa, followed by independent study in Europe. She was an editor of the “People’s Yellow Pages,” assistant to the curator of the John Bolles Gallery, and embarked on a 35-year teaching career at City College of San Francisco, where she taught a variety of media and continued creating her own art. Unbeknownst to each other, Sandra and her sister, Sheila, both adopted their maternal grandmother’s maiden name, Ortiz, as homage to their Hispanic heritage. She took particular satisfaction in collaborating with Sheila, a writer, by illustrating their book, “Imaginary Parents”, with images of her family-related assemblages. She exhibited in many local, regional and national venues, often with queer and/or Hispanic themes. She was honored to be requested to design a wine label for Imagery Winery, and was involved in the “Reversing Vandalism” project at the SF Public Library, where she also had a solo show. Upon retirement, she hosted a salon in her home studio where some former students and new participants continued to learn from her and each other as they shared and critiqued each other’s work. Although Sandra loved the work of Joseph Cornell, Kurt Schwitters, and many other male artists, she loved even more to highlight the work of female artists who had been overlooked by traditional art history. She is survived by her cherished partner, Dianne O’Connell, her beloved sister, Sheila Ortiz Taylor, and her wife, Joy Lynn Lewis (Tallahassee) and her nieces, Andrea C. Young (Atlanta) and Jessica Kimball (Guilford, CT). A small private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Dee (Dolores) Tozer, CEO of American Business Communications, passed away November 6th at age 94. She was a trailblazing entrepreneur known for her charm, ambition, and generosity. She was born on January 30, 1927 in Downers Grove, Illinois into a tight-knit Czech family headed by parents Henry Bucek and Amelia Kubis Bucek. At the University of Colorado she met her husband of 68 years, Jim (James) Tozer. They moved to San Francisco, where Dee was hired as the assistant to publisher Mel Lane of Sunset Magazine.

In 1954 she launched Dee Tozer Advertising, one of the first women-owned companies in the Bay Area, and Sunset was her first client. Her office was located over Ernie’s Liquors on El Camino Real in Palo Alto; Ernie rented it to her because he trusted her not to cut a hole in the ceiling and steal his inventory. As the business grew and was renamed American Business Communications, Dee was delighted to add as clients the San Francisco 49ers and Royal Viking Lines along with many other local and national businesses. She expanded printing and mailing services, with branches in Santa Clara and Reno, as well as multiple locations in San Francisco, eventually employing over 150 people. As CEO, Dee remained a remarkably hard-working and daring businesswoman until she retired at age 80 and moved to Carmel with Jim.

Dee’s favorite city was Paris; she and Jim traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia. Her quick wit and dynamic style made her a captivating storyteller. She enjoyed floral design and is remembered by her grandchildren for her passion for cooking and celebrating the holidays. Dee is survived by her daughter Kim Tozer McLaughlin, sister MaryAnn (Sue) Kettenhoffen, many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, and her little dog, Bella, who provided companionship to the end; she was predeceased by Jim and their two sons, Mark and Lee.

The family is very grateful to Juanita Saenz, Dee’s friend and caretaker for the last five years. They will remember their beloved matriarch in a private ceremony this summer.