Derek Louis Radcliffe
Born August 28, 1980
Died December 18, 2020 at 40 years of age, due to an unfortunate accident.

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It is with great sadness that Natalia Azevedo Oliveira left this world suddenly on December 28, 2020, at the age of 82.

Natalia was the definition of a selfless being. She was a devout Catholic, attending St. Mary’s Catholic church weekly and praying the rosary nightly. She would spend her days cooking delicious, nurturing food for family members, friends, neighbors and strangers in need. Hugs, kisses, and sweet words were plentiful for all who were lucky enough to spend time with Natalia. Natalia had a zest for life and loved traveling and bringing joy to everyone she came into contact with.

Natalia was the ninth of 12 children born to Amelia and Jose Homem on July 25, 1938, in Terceira, Acores. She always had fond memories of her childhood and recalled having everything despite having very little. In 1963 she emigrated from the Azores to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1966, sponsored by her beloved sister Gabriela and brother-in-law Robert Murphy, she immigrated to the United States, settling in Arcata.

Natalia married Frank Oliveira and was blessed with two children, Stephanie and Frankie. They were the loves of her life, she loved them unconditionally. Natalia was never stingy with her love. She adored children and they, in turn, loved her. She customarily would nurse and feed anyone in need. She was known by her Neighbors as “Florence Nightingale” and “Mother Angel” — you could not say her name without smiling or remembering her kindness. Each year during Easter you could count on her making delicious Portuguese Sweetbread which she would have delivered to the special people in her life. During the Portuguese celebrations, she would make small loaves and distribute them to all.

Her family was significant to her, and she was happiest when they were all together around her dinner table eating her delicious meals. Her home was inclusive and all were welcome. She loved to dance and always did as if no one was watching. She enjoyed traveling to the Azores, Brazil, Canada and anywhere on the open road where she was always up for an adventure. Age was always just a number, not a definition. Her vocation and calling in life was being a caregiver for the young, old, and anyone in need. The world lost an angel and heaven gained a wonderful mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be terribly missed by her children who loved her and cared for her tirelessly.

Natalia was preceded in death by her father and mother Jose and Amelia Homem. Her sisters, Maria Jose DeMatos, Maria dos Santos Rafael and, Fatima Borges, her brothers Manuel Homem and David Homem. She is survived by her children Stephanie and Frankie Oliveira. Her siblings; Gabriela Murphy, Jose Homem (Gloria), Fernando Lourenco (Jorlanda), Durvalina Machado, Antonio Lourenco, Avelino Homem (Ana). In-laws; John DeMatos, Maria de Lourdes Homem, and Ana Paula Homem. Her special friend and confidant Fernanda Ashford, and her cousin and best friend Mary Kay Leonardo.

A private mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with interment immediately following at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers are Larry Murphy, Jorge Lourenco, Richard Homem, David DeMatoes, Anthony Lourenco and Nick Machado.

Susan Ingle Snell went home to be with the Lord on December 26, 2020.

Sue was born on September 11, 1946, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Paul and Flora Ingle. Sue was an Army brat; she lived in Formosa (Taiwan) and Germany and across the U.S. Sue met her husband, Odi in Nebraska and they married in 1970. The two settled in Fortuna in 1974.

Sue was a devoted mother of three, but there were always a couple extra kids that needed a place to stay and Sue and Odi’s door was always open. Sue was also a dedicated member the Campton Heights Baptist Church. Sue volunteered in the AWANA program, taught Sunday School, and volunteered her time in many areas of the church. Sue enjoyed playing golf at REGCC; she was awful at it, but she loved it.

When it came to her grandchildren, Sue was at soccer and football games, cheerleading events even in the wind and rain. She was no fair-weather fan. She was funny, sarcastic, smart, and supportive. She left our hearts aching in shock.

Sue was predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Orliff “Odi” Snell. Sue is survived by her daughter Jessie (Brett) Coleman; daughter Melissa (Paul) Davis, and son Orliff (Nicole) Snell II, brother Dave (Barbara) Ingle, brother Paul Ingle, sister Carol (Tom) Robinson, sister Mary (John) Tinkey, grandchildren Emma and Brett Coleman, Dillynn, Flora, Orliff, and Annabelle Snell, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jack (Marguerite) Snell and sister-in-law Ellen Snell.

A memorial to celebrate Sue’s life will be held as soon as possible, but no date is scheduled at this time.

Judy passed away on December 23rd, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones. Judy lost her battle with health problems that plagued her most of her life. She never gave up, even in the last few days, she fought as hard as she could. However, it became more than even she could endure.

Judy always had a smile on her face. And, if you ever met her, you would know that she wanted to like you and, if given the chance, she would love you forever. She lived a happy, rewarding work and personal life. Judy was full of adventure. She loved to travel to the Southwest every year with her husband, Stan. One of Judy’s favorite things to do was to cook. She was an excellent cook and loved to make new recipes for her family. She was always there when anybody needed anything in life. Being a wife, mother, and grandmother brought her the utmost joy. The one ingredient she put in absolutely everything was love.

Judy loved her husband, Stan, more than anything. She was always proud of her children; Tim (Dona) Latham and Christy Latham-Shannon. Judy also loved her precious grandchildren; Jessica Latham & her fiancé Keith Noga and Taylor (Amanda) Pearson and her sweet sister, Becky Heflin.

Judy’s life was too full to reduce to a few lines on a piece of paper and, if you were fortunate enough to have known her, you would know that.

The family would like to thank her many doctors both locally, at UCSF, and Stanford for all her care over the years. We would also like to thank Hospice of Humboldt for providing the care she needed in her last week.

At Judy’s request, no services will be held. Instead, cook a special meal for a loved one and hug them extra tight.

If you would like to honor her life, please make a donation in her memory to Hospice of Humboldt.

Born in her great-grandmother’s house, she attended Worthington Grammar and Eureka High Schools. During her senior year, she worked in an insurance office during the day and the theater at night. After marrying Merle, she worked at the Eureka phone company and Murphy’s Market (25 years).

Dorothy enjoyed participating in Masonic and Scottish Rite functions with Merle. They also bowled on teams, organized, and ran numerous bus trips to Reno and various places in California. For personal touring they enjoyed many European trips. Being a member of ABWA and working for five years on Cancer Society Runs, everyone enjoyed her upbeat, fun-loving personality.

Joining Merle in Heaven, she is leaving behind a daughter Yvonne (Don) Turkal, granddaughter Caryn (Matt) Fagundes great grandchildren Jill and Ryan; grandson Jeff (Tara) Turkal great grandchildren Jordan and Tiana; a son Kevin (Denice) Doggett; a brother Roy (Diana) Johnson, nephew Troy Johnson and a half-brother Brad Johnson.

“She passed away from a spirit too young and a body too old”

PREVIOUSLY:

• Fatal Early Morning Crash in Myrtletown

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Judge Larry Killoran refused today to release a 19-year-old Ferndale man who was allegedly driving drunk when his car collided with two parked cars, killing his teenage passenger.

Ismael Lopez Jr. is charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony drunken driving in the death of Eureka resident Emily Perry, 18. She died at the scene of the crash about midnight Dec. 17. on Myrtle Avenue near Russell Lane. Lopez Jr. also was injured in the collision and appeared via video camera from the jail. He was in a wheelchair.

Lopez Jr., who was arrested on a warrant Dec. 28, was scheduled this afternoon for a decision on whether he could be freed on supervised release. Killoran followed the Probation Department’s recommendation and turned down the request from Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps, representing Lopez Jr..

Perry’s mother Vanessa Perry, appearing by Zoom, cried as she spoke about her only daughter and the agony of dealing with her sudden death.

“I still have her Christmas presents wrapped,” the mother said. “I don’t know what to do.” Vanessa Perry said her daughter was smart, graduating from Eureka High School and immediately starting college. Emily wanted to be a dentist, opening her own office “so she could help people.”

Vanessa has two little boys who don’t understand what happened to their beloved older sister. And she’s had to answer questions such as “Do you want to come see your dead daughter?” and “Do you want her to be cremated?”

“I don’t want her ashes,” Vanessa said. “I want my daughter.”

She said she was “just begging” the judge to keep her daughter’s alleged killer behind bars.

Another family member, Emily’s aunt, wrote a letter to the judge. Her statement was read aloud today by Deputy District Attorney Jane Mackie.

“Please do not release Ismael Lopez Jr.,” the aunt wrote. She said that although the family has received little information about the fatal crash, “We do know he had enough drugs and alcohol in his system to take my niece’s life.”

The aunt described Emily as a straight-A student who was already living in her own apartment. But no matter how much homework she had, she was always ready to help her cousins with their school work. She also was a big help to her teen-age cousins who were having emotional problems.

“She was the rock of our family,” the aunt wrote.

When the Probation Department evaluates an inmate for supervised release, a score of one to 10 is issued on how risky the release would be. Lopez Jr.’s was low, a two. Defense attorney Tipps pointed out that Lopez Jr. received one point because he told evaluators he consumes beer and hard liquor on a weekly basis. The Probation Department described that as “severe drug and alcohol use over the past six months.”

Tipps said it could be disputed that weekly alcohol use is “severe.”

Judge Killoran responded with “He’s 19 years old and he’s not even allowed to do what he’s doing.”

In refusing to release Lopez Jr., the judge said he believed “public safety is the main concern.”

Lopez Jr.’s preliminary hearing is set for later this month. Mackie estimated it would last three hours.

Eureka Police Department press release:

On December 31, 2020, at about 2:00 p.m., Detectives with the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Team (POP) served a search warrant at a motel on the 1900 block of Broadway.

47-year-old Jeremy Mills of Eureka was contacted and detained outside of his motel room. Mills was found to be in possession of 9 grams of methamphetamine. A search of his room revealed more methamphetamine, a digital scale, and packaging material. Based on statements and evidence collected from the scene, it appears that Mills was selling gram size amounts of methamphetamine.

34-year-old Takele Hikssa of Eureka was contacted and detained in a separate room. A search of Hikssa’s room revealed 14.3 ounces of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and packaging material. Based on evidence located in the room, it appears that Hikssa was selling ounce size amounts of methamphetamine.

Mills and Hikssa were arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for methamphetamine for sales.

Anyone with information on ongoing drug or nuisance activity within the city limits of Eureka is asked to call the EPD POP team at (707) 441-4373.