Mercedes Melania Salguero

Our beloved mother, Mercedes Salguero, went to heaven on August 30, 2022. She was a woman of great love and compassion and always placed her family before herself. A native of Managua, Nicaragua, she arrived in San Francisco in 1951. A few years later she married a handsome man, Francisco Salguero and together they had three children. She became a young widow and raised her children who have all become successful people and parents because of the valued instilled by them. Mercedes was a very proud and loving grandmother (abuelita) and great grandmother. Her passion was cooking and sharing recipes and although she was not tech savvy she never hesitated to share her hand written recipes with anyone who asked. She was proud to have become a U.S. citizen and each time she voted it was a special responsibility to do. “For the people!” she would say.

Mercedes is survived by her children: Desiree Salguero, Francisco Salguero (Carmen) & Cristina Salguero Holstine (Clay); Grandchildren: Paul, Erica, Tony, Camila, Olivia, Raymon & Kaitlyn; Great-grandchildren: Celia, Amaya, Luisa & Cristian.

Visitation begins at 6pm followed by a Rosary at 7pm on Tuesday, 9/6/2022 at Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home, 977 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am on Wednesday, 9/7/2022 at St. Charles Catholic Church, 880 Tamarack Ave., San Carlos, CA. Interment to follow at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, 1370 El Camino Real, Colma, CA.

Lawrence (“Larry”) Bissen, Jr. passed away on August 30, 2022 at the age of 78. He was born at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco to Lawrence Bissen and Merran Schlaich. The oldest of three children, Larry had two sisters, Ellen (Pete Reseco) and Sue, whom he adored. He was the best brother ever. Larry was also a doting uncle to his beloved nieces, Christine (Cory Lunde), Laura, and Johanna, and he thought the world of his cousin Frank and Aunt Julie.

On April 15, 1958, Larry and his father attended the first San Francisco Giants game ever – Opening Day at Seals Stadium. A lifelong Giants fan was born. Larry would carry the ticket stub from that first game in his wallet for the rest of his life, showing all who were interested – and even a few who were not.

Larry graduated from South San Francisco High School in 1962 and continued his education at San Francisco State to become a teacher. He earned his BA in English/Journalism and a general secondary teaching credential, followed by a Master of Arts in Education.

In 1972, his life was forever changed when he met Joan Pedersen, the teacher across the hall. The two met in September and married in June. Prior to the wedding, Larry had his class serenade Joan, playing “Here Comes the Bride” on plastic kazoos. Larry and Joan were married for 44 years and had two daughters, Kathleen and Eileen. He was the most loving and devoted husband to Joan and father to his two girls. In 2012, Larry was blessed with the son he never had when Eileen married Stephen Siptroth. Larry’s love and admiration for Stephen knew no bounds.

Larry had a distinguished teaching career with the South San Francisco Unified School District that spanned 37 years. While he received many awards in recognition of his talents, his greatest reward was making his students feel safe and seen. Larry famously gave his students multiple attempts to get an assignment right, encouraging and rewarding their efforts with an endless supply of donuts and candy. Larry fondly referred to his students as “my kids” and remembered their faces and names decades later. Teaching was the joy of his life and one of his many gifts to the world.

A devout Catholic, Larry was a loyal parishioner of Saint Gregory Church in San Mateo for 50 years. He served as an usher and a Eucharistic minister. Larry was a man of faith, not just in word but deed. His kind and generous spirit touched all who knew him. The world has lost a light, but heaven has gained the sweetest of souls and gentlest of angels.

Larry will forever be remembered for his compassion, sense of humor, and gifted storytelling. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Gregory Church in San Mateo at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022. Donations can be made in honor of Larry and his cherished cat, Danny, to the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA.