OBITUARIES

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 31, 2002

VERA GWENDOLYN "GWEN" O'BRYANT

Vera Gwendolyn "Gwen" O'Bryant was born September 22, 1914 in Canton, IL., and has lived in Colorado Springs for the past six years.

She passed away on October 26, 2002 at Liberty Heights Manor.

She is survived by two sisters, Evelyn Speckelmier of Denver, CO., and June Peterson of Manito, IL.; two sons, David and Dan, both of Colorado Springs; four grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude O'Bryant, and two sisters, Eula Blick of Canton, IL., and Hazel McCumber of Springfield, IL.

She married Claude O'Bryant in June, 1934 in Keokuk, Iowa. They lived in Bryant, IL. from 1934 to 1941; Canton, IL. from 1941 to 1943; the Chicago area from 1943 to 1968; then retired to Canton, IL., where her husband died in 1985.

Mrs. O'Bryant was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Canton, IL., and a founding member of the Oak Lawn, IL Presbyterian Church. She was an active Cubs fan for 75 years.

Memorial services will be held in the Academy Lounge at Liberty Heights, 12105 Ambassador Drive, at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2002.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter, 2930 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO., 80918. Please indicate Gwen O'Bryant on the donation. Burial will be in Bryant, IL.

LAUREN KENRIC (KEN) PIETILA

Lauren Kenric (Ken) Pietila died in Colorado Springs October 25, 2002. Ken was born in Duluth, MN., February 19, 1948. He had three children: Kenny, Kristin and Thomas. Other survivors include brother, James Pietila (Valerie), of San Anselmo, CA., and sister, Karla Marken (Don), of Seattle, WA. His wife, Helen, and parents, Loren and Velma Pietila, predeceased him

PATRICIA ANN (ROMERO) FRIENDT

Patricia Ann (Romero) Friendt, 51, passed away Sunday morning, October 27, 2002 in Colorado Springs.

Patricia was born March 29, 1951 in Denver, Colorado to Mike and Jennie (Chacon) Romero. She moved to Colorado Springs as a young girl and attended local schools. She married Andrew J. Friendt on August 29, 1969.

She was a devoted mother and was known for her sense of humor. She enjoyed music, car races, traveling, casinos, cooking and the Denver Broncos.

Preceding her in death was her mother and two brothers, Macario (Mike) Romero and Dionicio (Donnie) Romero.

Survivors include her husband; one son, Jason Friendt; one daughter, Somer Linner; two sisters, Lydia McCoy and Geniva Deal; three brothers, Chester Romero, Robert Romero, and Christopher Romero; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2002 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2030 West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO., 80904.

Private inurnment at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

A very special thank you to the staff of Pikes Peak Hospice. Should friends desire, memorial contributions can be made in Patricia's honor to Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 East Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

VIRGINIA GREEN McCOY

June 23, 1917 - October 21, 2002

Virginia McCoy passed away in Bend, OR on October 21, 2002 at the age of 85. She had lived with her husband, Arthur, in Newberg, OR. They had resided in Colorado Springs for 15 years before moving to Oregon.

Ginny was born in Chicago to Harold and Agnes Green. She graduated from New Trier High School in Wilmette, and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, where she met Arthur.

Ginny was a homemaker and an active volunteer. She loved golf, cards, music and painting. She and Art traveled extensively and enthusiastically. Ginny loved her friends and family, especially her grandkids. Those who knew her will long remember her smile, her laugh and her love of life.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur; daughter, Barbara M. Gartner of Des Moines, Iowa; son Craig W. McCoy of Lake Oswego, OR; sister, Helen G. Grieve of Glenview, IL; and four grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Lake Owego, OR, on Thursday, November 7, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. There will be a second service on Maui at a future date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Providence Newberg New Hospital, 1515 Portland Road, Newberg, OR 97132, or to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahului, HI., 96732.

"Veteran Musician Lays Down His Baton"

LOUIS FERRARO

1917 - 2002

CWO Louis Ferraro, USA (Retired), age 85, passed away peacefully, October 27, 2002 in his Colorado Springs home. He was the beloved husband of Peggy, loving father of Mary, Elizabeth, Martha, Richard, and esteemed father-in-law of Bud, Marty and Kimiko. He was the proud grandfather of Jason, Jennifer, Marissa and Justin.

Mr. Ferraro was an Army Bandmaster for 27 years, commanding bands in Cheltenham, London, Paris, Berlin, Fort Mason, Korea, The Presidio, Augsburg, and Fort Irwin.

He was a clarinet scholarship recipient of Julliard School of Music, and a graduate of San Francisco Institute of Music and Arts.