Robert H. Mackey A Celebration of Life for long-time respected rancher Robert Howes Mackey will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, October 2 at Canyon Creek Ranch. Mr. Mackey passed away August 9, 2005 on his 90th birthday at his home at the ranch. Born to Clara and Charles Mackey in Los Angeles, young "Bob" was always a cowboy at heart, and loved to horseback rider through the watermelon fields in Hollywood at a young age. An independent man, he held strong values, which he wasn't afraid to express or act upon. He graduated from Harvard Military High School in Los Angeles and earned his Bachelors degree in geology from Pomona College in Claremont, CA. He served in the U. S. Army, receiving his discharge in 1945. He worked for the Los Angeles County Health Department as an Agricultural Inspector after his service commitment. He married Marion Gordon on July 12, 1939 in San Gabriel, CA. After the couple visited friends in Modoc County, they decided to purchase the Wells Ranch in 1946 and relocated to Modoc County from San Gabriel. In 1957 they bought the adjoining Kincade Ranch. Bob had a good sense of humor, a quick smile and a great amount of patience. He also liked to kid around with his children and the folks who visited and worked on the ranch. He and Marion created a world of wonder for their three sons, who could explore and discover without fear of reprisal. Together they showed their sons the joy of work, the power of peace and the wonder of love. He was proud of each of his son's individual accomplishments. "When values differed from his, he would tell you his beliefs, but add that you were entitled to yours. And he would respect and support you. Not many people come through when there are value differences over war, religion, politics, and racism, but he always did," describes son Bruce. He had always wanted to be a cowboy and was able to fulfill that dream. He considered his ranch as heaven on earth. During his years in Modoc County, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Modoc County Cattlemen's Association, Modoc Farm Bureau, served on the Delmorma School Board and Central Modoc Resource Conservation District. Mr. Mackey is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marion of Alturas; three sons, John Mackey of Olympia, WA; Bruce Mackey of Olympia, WA and Dick Mackey of Alturas; grandchildren Jenette Gersich, Aaron Mackey, Jason Mackey, Rachel Mackey, Jessica Mackey, all of Olympia, WA and Noelle Mackey of Reno, NV. A finger food potluck will be part of the Celebration of Life gathering. Memorial donations may be directed to The River Center, a project sponsored by Central Modoc Resource Conservation District in cooperation with the Modoc County Office of Education. P.O. Box 1189, Alturas, CA 96101. Kathleen Wylie Grove Kathleen Elfreda Wylie Grove born September 22, 1919, Cedarville, CA died on September 9, 2005, at the Surprise Valley Hospital. Kathleen, better known as Tata Grove to everyone, comes from a long line of pioneers to Surprise Valley and New Pine Creek. The pioneer names include Baty, Mason (first county Judge of Lake County, OR), and, of course, Wylie. Tata's grandfather, James Wylie, immigrated to the US from Ontario Canada during the Virginia City gold rush. James' father came to Canada from Scotland through Ireland. James married Martha McVey and they settled in Cedarville in 1880 where he was a blacksmith. Using correspondence and home study, he took and passed the bar exam and became one of the early attorneys of Modoc County. James and Martha had 4 children: A. Kesner Wylie (Modoc County Judge), Nora, Stella and Thomas, Tata's father. Tom Wylie married Elfreda Baty of Fort Bidwell and was the postmaster in Cedarville for many years. They had three children: Kesner Dean (the pharmacist in Cedarville), Kathleen (Tata), and Willard (a dentist in Vacaville CA). Tata attended elementary school in Cedarville, where her mother Freda was a teacher, and then graduated from Surprise Valley Union High School where she met her lifemate, David Irvin Grove. She went on to attend the University of California Berkeley. Tata was the only woman in her chemistry 1-A lab and she said that she could hear the groan when she walked into the classroom; nonetheless, she persevered and earned her classmates respect by the end of the semester. She married D. I. Grove on Jan 22, 1940. They settled in Cedarville and soon moved to Eagleville for the remainder of their lives where they began cattle ranching with D.I.'s father, D.L. Grove. Son David Thomas arrived in 1941 and then in 1958 daughter Tami and in 1960 daughter Susan. Tata and D.I. also invited Tim Vaughn into their home after the death of his father, baseball hall-of-famer Arkie Vaughan who had retired in Eagleville and was their good friend. They thought of Tim as a second son. Tata was well known for her gardening, sewing, friendship, and love of knowledge, but may best be remembered for her culinary skills. She cooked and canned for large numbers of hay crews for many years, and her home was always filled with smells of baking as she prepared luscious meals and desserts for her family and friends. Many of Tata's recipes are prized throughout Modoc and beyond. She was also a formidable contender for anyone brave enough to challenge her in a game of bridge. Tata was full of life, energy, and humor and always found time to help others. She was a devoted member of the Eagleville church and taught Sunday and Tuesday school for years. She was also a member of National Grange, Eastern Star, Ladies Club, and taught sewing and cooking for 4-H. A supporter of all community activities in Surprise Valley, Tata gave of herself wherever she could. After her children left home, she worked as an aid at the Cedarville Grammar School for a period of time. And finally in her later working years, she served at both the Cedarville and Eagleville post offices, where she offered a never ending smile at the window. She was loved by all, and, as her nephews recently said, "She was the greatest 'stick horse' rider of all. She straightened out many a rowdy stick horse for us and gave them back all trained and prancing. Her orange rolls, donuts, and oh the clam chowder at Christmas were the tops. Above all her outlook on life, with humor and smiles, helped us all keep going when we thought we were a little down. After being with her for a few minutes we forgot that there was even the slightest problem." Another cousin recently shared: "A few days after I was born, my mom became very ill with infection which took her back to the hospital in Alturas for three weeks. Even though it was mid summer and with so much work to keep up with, Tata was glad to take care of me. So, she was handed a week old infant to care for until Mom recovered. She was busy cooking for a hay crew along with all the other ranch chores, but she took the job on in only Tata style." Her final battle was with Alzheimer's disease, a struggle Tata persevered through with dignity for the last 9 years of her life at Surprise Valley Hospital. The care she was given there was remarkable. Tata was preceded in death by her husband, D.I. Grove in 1983, her brother Dean in 2004, and son-in-law Steve DeSmith in 2002. She is survived by brother Willard Wylie and wife Merrill's of Vacaville, sister-in-law Alice Wylie of Escondido, son David Thomas and wife Kathy of Las Vegas, daughter Tami of Santa Cruz, daughter Susan and husband Robert Coleman of Carson City, grandson David Patrick of Los Angeles, and granddaughters Jenna and Claire DeSmith and great grandchildren Zachary and Avery Grove. She also has two step grandchildren, Tanya and Jason Coleman and three step great grandchildren, Cyrus, Zachary, and Mya. There are many, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Sunday Sept 18th at 3:00PM at the Eagleville Community Church followed by graveside, and then food and refreshments at the Eagleville Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to: Eagleville Community Church Building Fund, PO Box 234, Eagleville CA 96110 or Eagleville Fire Department PO Box (it is OK not to have a number, it will be delivered) Eagleville CA 96110 or Surprise Valley Community Hospital P. O. Box 246 Cedarville, CA 96104. Ella Vance Services are pending for Ella Vance, who passed away in her Alturas home on September 13, 2005. Mrs. Vance was 91. She and her family had resided in Modoc County, CA since 1945. She was born Ella Wiley on June 21, 1914 in Utah. Kerr Mortuary in Alturas will be handling arrangements and have the service announcement available on their recorded phone message at 530-233-5797, as the information becomes available. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Modoc County, California "The Last Frontier" www.rh2o.com/modoc --- Our outgoing mail is checked by avast! AntiVirus. Avast! Is Free To Home Users.