15 December 2021

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08 December 2021

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Past GRF President Ronde Winkler has died

Past GRF President Ronde Winkler has died


Ronde Winkler, the ultimate ambassador of Leisure World who was known for her fiscal prudence and wise counsel on the GRF Board of Directors and the Seal Beach Planning Commission, died Nov. 30 after a brief and sudden illness. Winkler served on the GRF Board from 2012-2020, with multiple terms as corporate secretary, treasurer and president. Before that, she began serving on her Mutual 10 Board almost as soon as she arrived in LW in August 2006. She stepped down from the GRF Board in February 2020 to take a seat on the Seal Beach Planning Commission representing District 2. She was elected vice chair on Jan. 19 and was active until her last meeting, on Nov. 1. The Seal Beach City Council will recognize Winkler at the Dec. 13 council meeting, adjourning it in her memory. Winkler was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska. She moved to Southern California when she was 17 to marry Leo Andersen. The couple had three children: Mark, Christopher and Stacy. Ronde loved numbers, so it was no surprise that she became an accounting consultant and successfully owned and operated her own firm, Ronde & Co., until she retired and moved to Leisure World. She was a woman ahead of her time, said her daughter, Stacy Andersen. Winkler made her own money, purchased and drove three different Corvettes, went to racing school, and jumped out of an airplane. She always championed the professional advancement of women, specifically through an organization called Business and Professional Women (BPW). Her elected positions included state president for the International Federation of BPW. True to her character and drive, she was an active and dedicated community leader wherever she lived. She had a long history of serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations, almost always in leadership positions. She gave her time to Rotary International Club, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Business Council of South El Monte, Whittier College Board of Visitors, Lincoln Training Center, Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. and the El Monte-South El Monte Chamber of Commerce. As for the GRF Board, she was known for her hawk-eyed reviews of financial reports and budgets. She was especially interested in developing programs to ensure the long-term viability of the GRF and its Trust properties. GRF President Susan Hopewell said, “I had the privilege and honor of serving with Ronde on the GRF Board for five years. She was a wealth of knowledge and always willing to share that knowledge with new GRF directors. I smile now thinking of her referring to herself as a ‘forensic accountant’ as she reviewed invoices, financial statements and budgets. She was a great role model and mentor and will be sorely missed.” Winkler characterized herself as having “just plain ol’ common sense,” and it showed in everything she did, beginning with an unwavering commitment to the many time-consuming jobs she took on. As GRF president from 2014-16, she presided over all board meetings and attended every committee meeting as the ex-officio member. When she accepted the post on the planning commission in 2020, District 2 Councilman Thomas Moore said, “Over the past several years of attending events in Leisure World, I have had the opportunity to get to know Ronde and can attest to her integrity and commitment to our community.” Her colleague, District 5 Councilwoman Sandra Massa-Lavitt, described Winkler as “so capable, so qualified for everything. I’m shattered that we have lost such a wonderful and capable person. We were friends who would sit over lunch and laugh about our aches and pains and generally getting old. I will genuinely miss her.” Her many friends, who were stunned by her sudden death, agree that she will be greatly missed, especially her cheerful, 100-watt smile and her indelible sense of style. She is survived by sons Mark Andersen and Christopher Andersen, daughter Stacy Andersen, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned; information will be provided in an upcoming issue. —Ruth Osborn

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Past GRF President Ronde Winkler has died

Past GRF President Ronde Winkler has died


OBITUARY Ronde Winkler, the ultimate ambassador of Leisure World who was known for her fiscal prudence and wise counsel on the GRF Board of Directors and the Seal Beach Planning Commission, died Nov. 30 after a brief and sudden illness. Winkler served on the GRF Board from 2012-2020, with multiple terms as corporate secretary, treasurer and president. Before that, she began serving on her Mutual 10 Board almost as soon as she arrived in LW in August 2006. She stepped down from the GRF Board in February 2020 to take a seat on the Seal Beach Planning Commission representing District 2. She was elected vice chair on Jan. 19 and was active until her last meeting, on Nov. 1. The Seal Beach City Council will recognize Winkler at the Dec. 13 council meeting, adjourning it in her memory. Winkler was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska. She moved to Southern California when she was 17 to marry Leo Andersen. The couple had three children: Mark, Christopher and Stacy. Ronde loved numbers, so it was no surprise Ronde Winkler that she became an accounting consultant and successfully owned and operated her own firm, Ronde & Co., until she retired and moved to Leisure World. She was a woman ahead of her time, said her daughter, Stacy Andersen. Winkler made her own money, purchased and drove three different Corvettes, went to racing school, and jumped out of an airplane. She always championed the professional advancement of women, specifically through an organization called Business and Professional Women (BPW). Her elected positions included state president for the International Federation of BPW. True to her character and drive, she was an active and dedicated community leader wherever she lived. She had a long history of serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations, almost always in leadership positions. She gave her time to Rotary International Club, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Business Council of South El Monte, Whittier College Board of Visitors, Lincoln Training Center, Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. and the El Monte-South El Monte Chamber of Commerce. As for the GRF Board, she was known for her hawk-eyed reviews of financial reports and budgets. She was especially interested in developing programs to ensure the long-term viability of the GRF and its Trust properties. GRF President Susan Hopewell said, “I had the privilege and honor of serving with Ronde on the GRF Board for five years. She was a wealth of knowledge and always willing to share that knowledge with new GRF directors. I smile now thinking of her referring to herself as a ‘forensic accountant’ as she reviewed invoices, financial statements and budgets. She was a great role model and mentor and will be sorely missed.” Winkler characterized herself as having “just plain ol’ common sense,” and it showed in everything she did, beginning with an unwavering commitment to the many time-consuming jobs she took on. As GRF president from 2014-16, she presided over all board meetings and attended every committee meeting as the ex-officio member. When she accepted the post on the planning commission in 2020, District 2 Councilman Thomas Moore said, “Over the past several years of attending events in Leisure World, I have had the opportunity to get to know Ronde and can attest to her integrity and commitment to our community.” Her colleague, District 5 Councilwoman Sandra Massa-Lavitt, described Winkler as “so capable, so qualified for everything. I’m shattered that we have lost such a wonderful and capable person. We were friends who would sit over lunch and laugh about our aches and pains and generally getting old. I will genuinely miss her.” Her many friends, who were stunned by her sudden death, agree that she will be greatly missed, especially her cheerful, 100-watt smile and her indelible sense of style. She is survived by sons Mark Andersen and Christopher Andersen, daughter Stacy Andersen, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned; information will be provided in an upcoming issue. —Ruth Osborn

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that she became an accounting ….

that she became an accounting ….


that she became an accounting consultant and successfully owned and operated her own firm, Ronde & Co., until she retired and moved to Leisure World. She was a woman ahead of her time, said her daughter, Stacy Andersen. Winkler made her own money, purchased and drove three different Corvettes, went to racing school, and jumped out of an airplane. She always championed the professional advancement of women, specifically through an organization called Business and Professional Women (BPW). Her elected positions included state president for the International Federation of BPW. True to her character and drive, she was an active and dedicated community leader wherever she lived. She had a long history of serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations, almost always in leadership positions. She gave her time to Rotary International Club, Boys and Girls Clubs, the Business Council of South El Monte, Whittier College Board of Visitors, Lincoln Training Center, Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. and the El Monte-South El Monte Chamber of Commerce. As for the GRF Board, she was known for her hawk-eyed reviews of financial reports and budgets. She was especially interested in developing programs to ensure the long-term viability of the GRF and its Trust properties. GRF President Susan Hopewell said, “I had the privilege and honor of serving with Ronde on the GRF Board for five years. She was a wealth of knowledge and always willing to share that knowledge with new GRF directors. I smile now thinking of her referring to herself as a ‘forensic accountant’ as she reviewed invoices, financial statements and budgets. She was a great role model and mentor and will be sorely missed.” Winkler characterized herself as having “just plain ol’ common sense,” and it showed in everything she did, beginning with an unwavering commitment to the many time-consuming jobs she took on. As GRF president from 2014-16, she presided over all board meetings and attended every committee meeting as the ex-officio member. When she accepted the post on the planning commission in 2020, District 2 Councilman Thomas Moore said, “Over the past several years of attending events in Leisure World, I have had the opportunity to get to know Ronde and can attest to her integrity and commitment to our community.” Her colleague, District 5 Councilwoman Sandra Massa-Lavitt, described Winkler as “so capable, so qualified for everything. I’m shattered that we have lost such a wonderful and capable person. We were friends who would sit over lunch and laugh about our aches and pains and generally getting old. I will genuinely miss her.” Her many friends, who were stunned by her sudden death, agree that she will be greatly missed, especially her cheerful, 100-watt smile and her indelible sense of style. She is survived by sons Mark Andersen and Christopher Andersen, daughter Stacy Andersen, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned; information will be provided in an upcoming issue. —Ruth Osborn
01 December 2021

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Judith Villarrubia  1942-2021 
	 ….

Judith Villarrubia 1942-2021 ….


Judith Villarrubia 1942-2021 Early on the morning of Nov. 23, Judy Villarrubia, beloved wife of Manny for over 52 years, peacefully passed away. Born in Brooklyn to Rose and George Kamelhar, she spent most of her childhood there and graduated from Erasmus High School the same year as Barbra Streisand (no, they didn’t hang out). That summer, she toured Europe with her best friend Ellie, and the continent is still buzzing about those two and their antics. Upon her return, like most women of that time, Judy found a job as a secretary, wearing proper business garb down to the gloves, and made her career debut. Eventually, she decided to continue her education and enrolled part-time in New York University’s sociology curriculum in 1961. Approximately two-and-a-half years after that, she wed Manuel, and the real fun began. Upon graduation, she secured a position as a caseworker with the New York welfare system. Whoops, big mistake. But luck was in her corner. Leaving welfare, she landed a job with The Actors Fund, a much better fit. Judy got to work with Colleen Dewhurst, plus see lots of plays. After a five-year stint there, she was laid off due to staff reduction. No problems. As luck would have, it she found immediate employment at CBS as an assistant album cover director. While there, she befriended James Taylor, Miles Davis, Cyndi Lauper and many other musicians who were on the label. The Sony takeover resulted in a Columbia personnel purge, so Judy decided to leave and go over to the AF of M, who been “head hunting” her for months. She remained there as a royalty administrator until her retirement. Judy had a great smile and a fine sense of humor. She liked to dance, starting out with folk dancing, then to rock and roll to jazz lessons at Luigi’s famous studio in New York. Finally, she found her true calling with Zumba. She loved to travel, visiting Spain, Italy, China and New Zealand, among other destinations. Admittedly, Judy was a bit of a klutz, but that didn’t stop her from playing tennis (won a tournament), as well as practicing tai chi and yoga. During her married life in NY, she and Manny saw just about every major on and off Broadway show. Betty Buckley and Christine Andreas were some of the Cabaret performers she got to know and watch. One of her guilty pleasures was to sit on the beach, watch the water and just zone out. She was practical yet always willing to try new things. In 2009, they moved to California and lived in Long Beach for a year, then settled in Seal Beach until her passing. Judy had friends and relatives on both coasts. She is survived by Manny; her niece Dawn; nephews Lloyd and Craig; and sister-in-law Martha. We’ll deeply miss her; she was a great trouper. - paid obituary

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Patricia Ann 
	 (Adams) Imbriano, ….

Patricia Ann (Adams) Imbriano, ….


Patricia Ann (Adams) Imbriano, 1935-2021 Patricia Ann (Adams) Imbriano was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She left this world suddenly on Nov. 12, at age 86. She was born to the late Thomas and Mary Adams on Sept. 17, 1935, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Patricia attended Cambridge High and Latin School and Elizabeth Anne Seton College. She married the late Michael Imbriano in 1964. They made a life together in the Boston, Massachusetts, area before relocating to Garden Grove. She was devoted to her faith, family and the vocation of teaching. Patricia began teaching at Saint Ann’s School in Maryland. Years later, in 1966, she earned Teacher of the Year honors at Saint Mary’s School in Boston’s Historic North End. She continued her vocation at Mitchell School in Garden Grove. She was active within the Leisure World, Seal Beach, community, enjoying bingo and Bunco and spending time with friends, along with hosting birthday luncheons and get- togethers. She found her greatest joy within the parish of Holy Family Catholic Church. She lived her life knowing that “each day is a gift from the Lord.” Patricia was wonderfully devoted to her children, Joseph, Michael, John and Rosemarie, as well as her in-laws, Lisa, Christine and Sally. She was a loving grandmother to Lauren Marie, Katie Rose, Christopher Michael (deceased), Matt, Emily Rose, Erin Claire, Brendan Michael, Jacob, Jeremy, Carissa and Brina and an aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her late brother Thomas Adams and is survived by her brother Peter and his wife Susan (Bennett) Adams. ••• • The obituaries deadline is Monday at 1 p.m., prior to the desired Thursday publication date. Obituaries that are received later than Monday will go in the following week’s issue. •Email obituary notices to laurieb@ lwsb. com with photos attached as jpg files. • The first 250 words, plus one picture, is free to publish in the newspaper; each additional word is 25 cents. • For more information, call the LW Weekly office at (562) 430-0534, ext. 801, or email laurieb@lwsb.com.
17 November 2021

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Fred Lee Shambaugh  1939-2021 ….

Fred Lee Shambaugh 1939-2021 ….


Fred Lee Shambaugh 1939-2021 Fred Lee Shambaugh was born on Feb. 10, 1939, in Alhambra. He passed away peacefully at Villa Park Gardens Assisted Living after a short but courageous fight against gastric cancer, on Oct. 19 in Villa Park, , at the age of 82. Fred is survived by his children, Gary and Cathy Musgrave of La Habra; Susan Musgrave of Seal Beach; Fred and Kyra Shambaugh of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and Jeff and Margie Wright of Tustin; grandchildren, Timothy and Katherine Wright of Clarksville, Tennessee; Nathanael Wright; and Grace, Elizabeth, Reid, and Reagan Shambaugh. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Reid and Maggie Edna (Lofton) Shambaugh, and by his wife of 52 years, Dorthey Jean (Morgan) Shambaugh. Fred was the only child of Reid and Maggie Shambaugh. He attended Marguerita Elementary School and graduated from Mark Keppel High School in 1957. Fred played the trumpet in the high school marching band and also took woodshop, a hobby he enjoyed for the rest of his life. He had the honor of marching in the Rose Parade two times during his high school career. After graduation, Fred attended East Los Angeles Junior College for two years before transferring to Pepperdine College. Fred graduated from Pepperdine College in 1962 with a degree in business. In September 1962, Fred joined the army. He served six months at Fort Ord in Monterrey before joining the reserves. He served in the army until

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Joseph Frances Ptacnik  1937- ….

Joseph Frances Ptacnik 1937- ….


Joseph Frances Ptacnik 1937- 2021 “Not just another Joe” We are saddened by the loss of a dear friend, Joseph Frances Ptacnik. He was a proud father to Joe, Jim and Ann Horton and grandfather to Michael. He was known to most of his amateur radio friends as N6JAJ (Just Another Joe), though he was not just another Joe. His career took him to Litton Company, where he worked on communication equipment for Naval ships. Then he worked in Bellview, Washington, building and troubleshooting highly technical machines. He became a technical expert during his career. When he moved to Leisure World in 2005, he was generous with his time and knowledge of electronics, working with the LW Radio Club, Veterans Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). He taught solder and antenna construction. His diligence to detail in design and fabrication was admired. He held classes in his home and tutored radio technology, helping many individuals pass their licensing exams. He participated in an Emergency Operational Drills at the Naval station as lead operator, transmitting emergency messages to hospitals. Joe had many hobbies. He loved helping others. He was a Boy Scout leader with Chuck Blankenship for the Flaming Arrow troop. He spent many hours with metal detecting devices, a skill he taught to his sons, grandson and friends. He loved boating, having lived on a boat for five years with his family. He was such a good fisherman and taught his sons the fine art, which inspired one of them to start a business selling custom-made fishing rods. His best know, attribute was his spiritual side. He attended University Baptist Church and participated in Wednesday Bible study. He attended special beachside services on Sundays, where he would meditate on the wonders of the universe. A generous man, he would provide many neighbors and friends special Christmas gifts fabricated from recycled wine bottles and fitted with strings of lights. This year, they will all glow a bit brighter in his memory. -paid obituary

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