OBITUARIES
Katherine Bishop
95, El Centro
Rosanne Bornt
90, Holtville
William Fortune
85, Brawley
Edward Grijalva
65, Imperial
Linda Lopez
71, Brawley
Richard Sanchez
77, Holtville
Cornelia Talbott
75, Brawley
Esther Valencia
79, Calipatria
KATHERINE “KAY” A. BISHOP
July 10, 1924 - May 27, 2020
Katherine (Kay) Bishop, 95, of E l Centro, C A. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. K ay w as born on July 10, 1924 and was raised in Madison, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school in 1942, Kay left W isconsin and went to Washington, D.C. during World War II and worked for the Veterans Administration. While she was there she met Earl Bishop. They married in Oceanside, CA. in 1945 and she returned with Earl t o the Imperial Valley.
Earl and Kay owned and operated Bishop Dairy on Meloland Road. Kay was actively i nvolved in the dairy taking care of the calves and raising their three children Bruce, S teve and Nancy. Kay was an excellent cook and seamstress, sewing everything from western shirts to p rom dresses.
In 1971, Bishop Dairy moved to S an Pasqual Valley near Escondido where they eventually sold the dairy and planted an avocado grove in 1987. Earl passed away in 1989, but Kay remained at her beautiful home overlooking the valley. H er children and grandchildren have an abundance of memories with her there whether it was trying to k eep up with her on w alks up the hill, attending to her beautiful garden, working on her jigsaw puzzles, adventures to the Wild Animal Park or the afternoons of crossword puzzles and baseball on the radio.
She lost her home in 2007 to the Witch Creek wildfire and moved back to the Imperial Valley living at the Desert Trails RV p ark. She developed great friendships while here, lovingly known as “Miss Kay.” She will always be remembered for her positive, upbeat attitude with a smile on her face a nd t winkle in her eye. She was an active participant and enjoyed her bible study group from the First Christian Church, loved reading books and watching Jeopardy. Kay lived a great life and her favorite song was by Louis Armstrong “What a Wonderful World” and she believed and lived accordingly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Bishop and son, Steve Bishop. Kay is survived by her son, Bruce Bishop of Jerome, ID; daughter, Nancy (Greg) Thornburg of Imperial, CA; daughterinlaw, Shawna Bishop of E l Centro, C A; grandchildren: Alexa Bishop; Jason Bishop; Tel (Nancy) Bishop; Robyn Bishop; George ( Molly) B ishop; Garrett (Suzanne) Bishop; Kelly Bishop; Josh Thornburg; Tara (Eric) Dollente; 1 0 greatgrandchildren and 4 greatgreatgrandchildren.
A celebration of life will be a nnounced at a future date.
ESTHER QUIROZ VALENCIA
Nov. 10, 1940 - May 20, 2020
On May 20,2020, Esther Quiroz Valencia gave her final good- byes to this world. A loving daughter, sister, mom, grandmother and friend. Esther shared her love of family, friendship and her faith with all. Through God’s grace, she has always been blessed with a strength to endure and carry her cross even through her recent battle with cancer.
Esther lived a full life of joy. Born November 10, 1940, Esther lived all of her life in Calipatria. The daughter of Eduardo and Juanita Quiroz and the big sister to Ernest in a, Connie, Eddie and ChaCha. She attended Bonita School and graduated from Calipatria High School a true Hornet. She enjoyed her friendships and was blessed to have parents that shared the gifts of hard-work and charity.
On June 10, 1967, Esther married Miguel Valencia at St. Pa tricks Catholic Church in Ca lip atria. Esthe rand Mike welcomed into their life Michelle “Nanas”, Angelita “Prieta”, Miguel “Sonny”, and Juan “Gordo”. Life made many memories. From family gatherings, Thanksgiving and Christmas at Mike and Esthers, summer trips up north to Gilroy and Stockton to pick prunes and visit family, helping out at St. Patricks, and keeping her kids involved with their community and school. Esther set the example to follow.
Esther began her working life at the young age of 18 and served our local court system with pride. She started her career in Calipatria working in the local jail as a court clerk and served this role throughout the courts in the county. She continued her career working alongside many judges, court personnel, and fellow court clerks, whom she valued as her friends. She retired as a court clerk supervisor in the Brawley courthouse, next to Mike’s job at the Brawley Post Office.
Esther served her community with pride. She was always willing to lend a hand and would often bring a friend or two to help. She was involved with the St. Patrick’s Ladies Society, CCD Program, C alipatria American Legion Auxiliary, Hornet Boosters Club, Calipatria 4- H, and her family and friends cancer group“Qui roz Walking for a Qure”. As a thyroid cancer survivor, Esther wore her purple colors with pride during her commitment to raise funds for local cancer organizations. Her final laps were completed last May with the Brawley Cancer Walk organization.
Living a life of faith, Esther’s life was fulfilled watching her children grow up and enjoyed being a grandmother. Michelle and Dorian Jackson, gave her Alexander and Jacob. Angelita and Victor Ortiz followed with Lorena, Simon, and Juanita. M ike and Waldina Valencia embraced her with Zoie and Miguel. J uan and Melissa, with Julianna, blessed her in December 2019 with Julian. Her grandchildren kept her busy and she, in turn, loved each of them with hugs, words of wisdom, faith, cooking, and nicknames. Esther’s l ove poured out to all of her nieces and nephews a nd those she was given the blessing to be called Nina.
Esther has now joined her parents, family and friends in heaven, including grandson Jesse. She will continue to be loved by her husband, Mike, her children and grandchildren. Her siblings and their families, and the Valencia family.
Friends and family may join in the viewing at Frye’s C hapel on Wednesday, J une 10 f rom 8 to 10 a.m. Burial and final blessing will be held at Riverview and celebrated privately. A celebration of life and mass will be arranged t o provide family and friends with a s afer time to r emember the joy Esther gave.
Her wishes are in lieu of flowers t o generously support S t. Patricks or your favorite non- profit cancer organization.
ROSANNE BORNT
Feb. 14, 1930 - May 19, 2020
Roseanne Margaret “Tosie” (Stacey) B ornt, long time resident of Holtville, passed away on May 19, 2020 – three months a fter h er 90th birthday celebration, in what can only be described as a peaceful transition from life to the hereafter.
Tosie was born to the late Harry and Lulu Mae Stacey, February 14, 1930, in Long Beach, California. She spent her early childhood in Yucca Valley, her elementary school years in Westmorland and graduated from Holtville High School.
She married the late Lester Bornt in t he years after high school and lived in the Bonds Corner area south of H oltville, where they raised their children – before retiring to Alpine, CA. Tosie relocated to Holtville a fter Lester’s p assing, living closer to her children, grandchildren, and many friends.
She is survived by her four adult children, Carolyn Ming of Holtville, Alan B ornt of H oltville, Robert Bornt of H omer, Alaska and Glen Bornt of Holtville/Australia. She is also s urvived by s even grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.
Tosie was an accomplished and active horsewoman. She continued to be an active member of the Barbara Worth Brigadettes from the age of 2 0 until late in life as well as several other ladies horse riding groups. She spent many active y ears with t he Imperial Valley Republican W oman’s Association and California Women for Ag. And, she was always a faithful mentor to rural youth in Holtville’s 4 - H and FFA Clubs during the years her children were in school attendance.
With r espect for the current public health situation, Roseanne Bornt’s family held a private burial ceremony June 1, 2020 and expect to enjoy a “Celebration of Life” ceremony with family and friends during an appropriate time later in the year, 2020.
RICHARD J. SANCHEZ
Apr. 3, 1943 - May 20, 2020
Richard J. S anchez, 77, of Holtville, CA p assed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
Richard was born on April 3, 1 943 in Santiago, Nayarit, Mexico.
He is survived by his children, Richard Sanchez of Brawley, Mariana Sanchez, America Sanchez and Italo Sanchez of Holtville, Juanita Rosales of Imperial and Juliana Duarte of Canada; grandchildren, ; great- grandchildren and his siblings, Abelardo Sanchez of M exico, Sylvia Blankenship, Francisco S anchez and Mario Sanchez of Hanford, CA.
Richard will be laid to rest in Terrace Park Cemetery in Holtville, CA.
CORNELIA “CONNIE” TALBOTT
Dec. 1, 1944 - May 24, 2020
Cornelia Talbott, 75, of Brawley passed away on May 24, 2020 of complications of COVID- 19.
She was born on December 1, 1 944 in Aberdeen, Washington. Adoring but pragmatic mother. Loving wife and partner for 38 years. She was known for her chocolate cakes, and had a passion for learning. She also enjoyed politics. Most of all, she was fond of animals and was a proponent of pet rescue.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clay Talbott; father, Stephan Franko and mother, Adela Franko.
Cornelia is survived by her daughter, Sarah Talbott; son, Adam Talbott; her cats, Raymond, Daisy, Cuddles, Princess, Ned and foster cat Selphie; sisters, Paula and Sandra Franko; b rother, Steve Franko; step brother, Gary Griffith; step Sister Patricia G riffith; cousin, and friend Rena Talbott; dear friends, Jack and Sarah Roberts; s everal nieces and nephews.
The family suggests donations in lieu of flowers to T he Humane Society of Imperial County.
No services will be held at this time.
LINDA LOPEZ
Feb. 25, 1949 - June 2, 2020
Linda Lopez, 71, of Brawley, C a passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Linda was born on February 25, 1949 in Brawley, CA. She married Ignacio Lopez on December 4, 1993.
She is survived by h er husband, Ignacio Lopez; children, Jerry Lee Lopez of El Centro, Abel Jr. Armani of B rawley, Susie Leon Sabala of B rawley, Samantha Freyre o f Brawley and Sandy Rojas of Brawley; siblings,
Mary, Susie, Patricia,
Robert and Eddie; 9 grandchildren and 1 great- grandchild.
A visitation will be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 from 6 to 9 p .m. at F rye Chapel and Mortuary in Brawley, C A. Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, J une 16, 2020 at 9 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Brawley, CA.
WILLIAM V. FORTUNE
Apr. 19, 1935 - May 29, 2020
William Fortune,85, of Brawley passed away on May 29, 2020.
He was born on April 19, 1935 in J erusalem Township North Carolina and later married Hugrstine Bell Fortune on August 14, 1997 in Yuma, AZ.
William is survived by his wife, Hugrstine Fortune; children, Marjorie Cattouse of G reensboro, NC, C eles Walker of Brawley, V ictoria Butler of Fairfield, CA, Delorise Masters of F ayetteville, NC, Teresa F ortune of Brawley, M ary Bell of Brawley, Candace Fortune of Carmichael, CA, Christie Mowery of Brawley, Nashalla Bell of Brawley, Nichelle Mosely of C harlotte, NC, F red Butler of Temecula, CA, William V. Fortune Jr. of Brawley and Adrian Fortune of B each Park, IL; host of g randchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, friends and acquaintances.
Visitation will be held on Friday, J une 19th at Frye Chapel and Mortuary from 8 to 1 0:30am. Graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley and will be officiated by Pastor Mario Yancy.
EDWARD CORTEZ GRIJALVA
Mar. 15, 1955 - May 28, 2020
Edward Grijalva, 65, of Imperial passed away on May 28, 2020.
Eddie was born and raised in Brawley, CA attending Brawley schools and graduating from Brawley Union High School in 1 973, H e also graduated from IVC as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. He l oved music and was a former band member of t he musical group Los Continentales.
He w as preceded in death by his father, Arthur Altamirano Grijalva and brother, Ernest Joseph Grijalva.
Edward is survived by his mother, Isidora C. Grijalva of Imperial; sons and daughters, E ddie T. Grijalva, JR. (Lynn), Andrea Grijalva (Johnny) and Joseph Grijalva ( Stephani); grandchildren, Joseph Jr. and Angelina Grijalva, Hayden Webster and Olivia Rodriguez; sister and brothers, Maria D. Garcia (Eddie), Arthur A. Grijalva, Jr. (Gloria) and Armando A. Grijalva (Danielle); nephews a nd nieces and the mother of his children, Norma T. Grijalva.
Services will be private.