Obituaries: Recently deceased residents

Recently deceased residents include:

Lupita Leal de Monroy85, a longtime Menlo Park resident known for her commitment to education, multilingual education and poetry, died May 29 in El Paso, Texas, surrounded by her daughters. Born November 30, 1938, in Pesquería Chica, Nuevo León, Mexico, Lupita earned her AA from Merced Junior College and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish literature from San Jose State University. She taught Spanish at Chabot College and the Cambridge Language Institute, published three volumes of poetry, and attended international poetry conferences. A devoted parishioner of St. Raymond’s and St. Anthony de Padua, she served as a Eucharistic minister, marriage counselor and evangelist. Lupita was also known for her extensive travels with her family, visiting countries on five continents, and her active role in translating sermons and managing the community dining room at St. Anthony’s.

Dawn Podell, 80, a longtime Palo Alto resident who was committed to promoting diversity and civic engagement, Dawn graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in anthropology and was known for her artistic talent, culinary skills, and deep compassion for others. Fluent in Spanish, Dawn served on several committees and the board of the Peninsula School. She married Allen Podell in 1966 and raised their two daughters, Phoenix and Shani, while actively participating in their schools and activities. An accomplished artist with several art exhibitions, she also worked as a bookkeeper for Allen’s business before starting her own business in the 1980s. A talented cook, she hosted elaborate dinners for friends, family, and clients and shared her recipes with her children and grandchildren. She was also an avid animal lover and enjoyed her many cats in her later years.

Hazel H. Rand90, lived in Palo Alto for decades, devoted her retirement to volunteering at the Gamble Garden Center, earned her BA in Anthropology from the University of Western Australia, and was known for her creative landscape photography, wanderlust, love of crossword puzzles, and quick wit, passed away in Colorado. Hazel was born in Bath, England, served in the WRNs (Women’s Royal Navy), and was an experienced sailor with the Girl Guides – Sea Rangers. Before retiring, she worked at the Center for Radar Astronomy at Stanford University as a technical administrative assistant. Hazel was also known for her passion for Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and her extensive collection of owl figurines and images, which earned her the nickname Hazowl. She always enjoyed a laugh with her friends, and many appreciated her sharp wit.

Kathryn “Kit” Elliot Reitman74, a longtime Redwood City resident who founded Reitman Physical Therapy and was a dedicated member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the North American Institute of Manual Therapy and the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. She graduated from Colgate University as part of the first class of women majoring in psychology and earned her master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of California, SF. Known for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, brilliant mind and zest for life, she was a passionate outdoor enthusiast, a freshman bridge player and an avid reader who always shared the best book recommendations, she loved her llamas and cats and she cherished summers at the family lake house in Maine where she embodied her personal mantra: “Hike, swim, ski, kayak and travel!”

To read full obituaries, leave memories and post photos, go to Lasting Memories at mv-voice.com/obituaries.

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