Obituaries for the week of 11/15/17

Joanne Buzzetta

Joanne Buzzetta died quietly and peacefully on Oct. 31, after suffering with Parkinson’s disease for many years.

Joanne was a Philadelphia resident her whole adult life and was a licensed psychologist with a Master’s degree and a degree in hypnotherapy. She had a private practice in Philadelphia and also worked as a school psychologist in New Jersey. Jo loved the bustle of city life and visited museums, attended plays and took advantage of many of the good restaurants and movie theaters in the Philly area. Joanne loved to travel, especially to warm and tropical climates and was always looking forward to the next vacation.

Jo was an independent thinker with a bizarre sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Her personality could be challenging one minute and a caring big sister/mother/aunt the next. The girl kept us hopping and she will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Hilda and Edward Buzzetta and her sister, Cynthia Buzzetta.

She leaves in this world her youngest sister, Rose Buzzeta, her nephew/son, Owen Buzzetta and her nephews Adam Grant and David John Grant Jr.

The last eight months of her life were spent in Quincy and Chico. Through the gracious work of PC Hospice and Lori Davis, Joanne was able to die at home with her sister and loved ones around her. We will be forever grateful for the chance to be with her when she left her devastated body and confused mind to float freely to whatever beach she deisres.

Donations in Joanne’s name can be made to PC Hospice/Lori Davis.

Ray Donnenwirth

Ray Donnenwirth was born Feb. 1 1932, to Dorothy and Clair Donnenwirth. Ray spent most of his 85 years in Portola. He died Nov. 9, 2017.

As a youngster, Ray hunted, fished and became an Eagle Scout. In high school, he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track. Ray also played baritone sax in the high school band. Following high school, Ray went to Cal for one semester, but was injured playing football.

He then joined the Marine Corps during the Korea War. He rapidly rose to the rank of sergeant and was a rifle instructor at Camp Pendleton.

Following his service in the Marine Corp, Ray went back to college at Chico State. While at Chico State, Ray served as student body president. He also met and married the love of his life, Martha Monroe, in 1955. Ray graduated from Chico State with a teaching credential and accepted his first teaching job in Red Bluff. That same year, in 1957, Ray and Martha welcomed twins, Nancy and Steve, into their new family.

Following a year in Red Bluff, Ray got an opportunity to return to Portola as a teacher and coach. So in the fall of 1958, Ray began his 33-year career at his alma mater, Portola Jr./Sr. High School. In June of 1959, Ray and Martha welcomed their third child, Lorrie.

During Ray’s career at PHS, he coached football, basketball, baseball, golf and was a ski instructor. He also served as vice principal, guidance counselor and taught history, geography and government.

Following retirement in 1991, Ray began a new chapter. He was instrumental in helping to establish the Portola Are Historical Society. Ray also shared in the responsibility of writing and publishing two books containing the autobiographies of many of the people who lived and currently reside in Portola and Eastern Plumas County. He also did extensive research into the Donnenwirth family history. He traced his heritage back to 17th century France, actually traveling to and locating the family home in Uhrwiller, France. Uhrwiller is a German-speaking village on the Rhine River in the Alsace region of Eastern France.

Ray and Martha spent many years in retirement traveling, visiting children and grandchildren. Ray had a wonderful life.

He is survived by his wife, Martha and daughters, Nancy Cavagnaro (Paul) and Lorrie Donnenwirth-Hargrove (Andre), son, Steve (Claire), seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ray is also survived by his sister Ann Hardin and many nieces and nephews.

Remembrances may be made to the Portola Area Historical Society. At Ray’s request, there will be no service.

Dorothy Henson

Dorothy (Crabtree) Henson passed away at 89 years of age on Oct. 23, 2017, in Quincy. Graveside services will be held for family on Nov. 18, 2017.

Dorothy Crabtree was born to Virgil Monroe Crabtree and Bessie Lenora Razor on Sept. 23, 1928, in Cape Fair, Missouri, — one of seven children.

After a childhood in Missouri, Dorothy met and married the love of her life, William “Fred” Henson. They relocated to Quincy and spent 66 wonderful years together, which, in her words, “wasn’t near long enough,” before his passing in 2014. Together they had three sons: Garrell Van, Carl Len and Stanley Fred.

Dorothy spent her life caring for others, as a wife, mother and a career as a nurse. Dorothy was a skilled craftswoman and gardener and enjoyed spending time in the kitchen baking for her loved ones. She was a woman of faith, unconditional love and a source of great strength and comfort for her family. Family was everything to Dorothy, and she took great joy in watching her seven grandchildren grow up climbing the tree in her front yard and holding her eight great-grandchildren in her arms. She was cherished by all who knew her and will be deeply missed.

She joins her parents, siblings Joe and Vera, husband Fred, and son Carl Len in heaven.

An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.