Saratoga News

Obituaries

Gladys Tisch

Gladys Pratt Tisch, who spent much of her time visiting with her family in Saratoga, died March 14 of cancer in Los Altos. She was 93. Tisch was born Dec. 28, 1904, in Visalia, a third-generation native Californian and the youngest of nine children. She studied at Stanford University and received a bachelor's degree from Fresno State College. She was a schoolteacher in Tulare County and later became the assistant superintendent of schools for that county.

After several moves, Tisch and her husband, Alfred, built a home in Chico, where they lived for several decades. She was interested in nutrition, medicine and health issues, reading, cooking, dancing, world travel, playing bridge and throwing elaborate parties. In Chico, she helped found the Enloe Hospital Auxiliary and helped organize the Family Service League. She was also a lifelong Republican and volunteered on behalf of the party until she was in her 80s.

Tisch was predeceased by her husband, Alfred. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Rosemary Tisch of Saratoga; granddaughters Melinda and Leslie Tisch of Saratoga; sister Jewel Ongman of Los Altos; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services have been held, with interment at Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga.

Sister Imelda LeClair

Sister Imelda Marie Rose LeClair died March 22 at Our Lady of Fatima Villa in Saratoga at the age of 89.

LeClair was born April 12, 1908, in Menominee County, Mich. She was a member of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena in Kenosha, Wisc., for 73 years. She was a college graduate and an elementary schoolteacher for 70 years. She frequently volunteered for extra teaching assignments and projects in order to spend more time with her students. She was also active in the ministry until the fall of 1996, when she retired.

She is survived by nephew Adrian Briggs of Algonquin, Ill. Memorial services have been held, with interment at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.

Margaret Cardona

Saratogan Margaret Cardona, who had been residing at Our Lady of Fatima Villa, died April 11 at the age of 85.

She was born Nov. 20, 1912, in San Jose and was a homemaker.

Cardona was predeceased by husband Frank Cardona. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law Carl and Jackie Cardona of Saratoga, Joe and Irene Cardona of San Jose and Henry and Rose Marie Cardona of Corralitos; grandchildren Steve, Mike, Ken and Kevin Cardona; Karen Elerick, Kate Sutherland, Suzette Keller and Cindy Tucker; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services have been held, with interment at Oak Hill Memorial park.

Rocque Yballa

Rocque Yballa of Saratoga died April 17 at the age of 80.

Born Aug. 16, 1917, in Hawaii, Yballa was a college graduate and a manager and trainer of professional prizefighters as well as amateur boxers from the Stockton and San Jose areas. He was also a self-employed, skilled musician; among the instruments he played were the violin, guitar, ukulele and piano. He was once the ukulele master and maestro of "Da' Strummas," a ukulele orchestra. He also loved photography.

Yballa was preceded in death by daughter Theresa Yballa and son James Julian Yballa. Survivors include wife Pura Yballa of Saratoga; daughters Roxanne Lynn and Alicia Yballa, son Rocque-John Yballa; and grandchildren Lynne, Misty, Nona-Joyce, Collin-James, Cary-Kenneth and Corina-Isabel.

Memorial services and a traditional luau have been held.

Betty Jo Plevyak

Saratoga resident Betty Joe Plevyak died April 18 at the age of 56.

She was born Oct. 21, 1941, in Wever, Iowa. She was a college graduate and a fiscal officer for Santa Clara County. She was a Eucharistic minister and was active in the Ascension Church Parish Council, Parish Finance Committee and Pastoral Visit Team. She was also an avid golfer and theater patron.

Survivors include husband Gene Plevyak of Saratoga; daughter and son-in-law Candace and Skip Wise; son John Plevyak; son and daughter-in-law David and Cameron Plevyak; grandson Thomas Wise; mother Mary Elizabeth Lemberger; and brothers James and Edward Lemberger.

Memorial services have been held, with interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Los Altos. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1715 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 100, Campbell, 95008.

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