Sarah Marie Sands

Our beautiful baby girl, Sarah Marie Sands, 31, passed away on May 11, 2012. Sarah was born on Jan. 15, 1981.

She is survived by her two angels, Michael, 6, and Maxwell, 2. She is also survived by her parents, Frank Harold Sands Jr. and Peggy Parsons Sands. She left behind her sister, Melissa Sands Champney, of St. Augustine, Fla., and her brother, Matthew (Cathy) Sands, of Cape Coral, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Frank H. Sands and Katie Roberts Sands, both of Key West; her maternal grandparents, Broward Parsons and Daisy Allen Parsons, both of LaBelle, Fla.; and her maternal uncle, Joseph Parsons.

Sarah was interred on May 16, 2012, at Fort Denaud Cemetery in LaBelle, Fla. May God be with your sons. We love you to the stars and back!

Sonny "Bucco" Walton (Marlon H. Walton Jr.)

On May 16, 2012, the world lost a great friend and life of the party.

A celebration for the love of my life, Sonny Walton, will be held May 26, 2012, at "The Breakfast Club" at Schooner Wharf Bar.

Sonny spent many years in the pursuit of love, great music, comedy, fun and, of course, liquid libation. At the end of his too-short life, he had accomplished all. His smile and laughter were contagious; he will be missed by so many. He loved motorcycles, reading, cooking and writing poetry.

Sonny was born in New Orleans in December 1952 to Marion and Barbara Walton, who survive him and were instrumental in his love for all things racing. He is also survived by his wife, Lois; three daughters, Sarah, Carrie and Katie; sons-in-law, Brian, Kevin and David; grandson, Brandon; brothers, John and David; sisters-in-law, Collette and Linda; and nephew, Gregory.

Please come join us to celebrate his life at 8 a.m. May 26, 2012, at Schooner Wharf Bar. It's 5 o'clock somewhere. Lois.

JUDY PHILLIPS

Judy Lynn Phillips, 58, of Ramrod Key, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Friday May 18, 2012 at Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West, Fla. Judy was born Sept. 2, 1953 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. to Aaron and Pauline (Dinkins) Dawson. Judy grew up in Frostproof, Fla. and came to the Florida Keys 35 years ago from Tallahassee. She was an active member of Eagle Rest and the director of Big Pine Co-op School. Throughout her nursing career she worked in all areas of the hospital, including risk management. She was active in many blood drives for the Red Cross and was the secretary of Big Pine Baptist Church.

Judy was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Surviving are her husband Chris Phillips of Ramrod Key; sons Christopher Troy Phillips and Andrew Joel Phillips both of Ramrod Key; daughters Kim (Russell) Free and Jody (Howie) Phillips both of Key West; brother Lee Dawson; sisters Jenny B Smith, Sharon Dube and Tammy Miller; and nine grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home, 31140 Overseas Hwy., Big Pine Key. Burial will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery on Big Pine Key. Visitation will be at 2 p.m. until service time at the funeral home on Tuesday. The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home Big Pine Key is entrusted with all funeral arrangements.

Linda Faye Letzkus

Longtime resident and famous "Hummus Lady" of Key West, Linda, passed away at home on Saturday, May 12. 2012. She was 61.

Linda hitchhiked to Key West from Pittsburgh in 1971 at the age of 20. In Key West, she found the home of her heart. A true Key West character, she was seen for years biking around town with her two dogs, Spanky and Buckwheat, in the baskets. She told stories of hanging out at the Green Parrot Bar with Mel Fisher and even had a coin to show for it. She worked many jobs in town, cheered on her favorite dart teams, partied with friends and learned to make and sell bronze jewelry. But Linda really came into her own when she started her own business. For over 20 years she created some of the finest vegetarian foods on the island. Working out of Waterfront Market, she developed and sold many exceptional recipes, including her famous hummus. She continued that mission the last three years at Sugar Apple. She will be missed by customers and friends alike for her personality, generosity and the quality of her products.

Linda was a very private person. She requested that no funeral or memorial service be planned. She is survived by her mother and four sisters with their families, and many friends and admirers here in Key West. Anyone wishing to honor her memory may donate in her name to the ASPCA or to Hospice of the Florida Keys.

Carrie V. Trumbo

Carrie V. Trumbo, president of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, Lodge 2436 for 10 years, and vice president of the Lions Club, died on the morning after her 75th birthday, following a long illness.

She was born May 1, 1937, an only child, in Havre de Grace, Md. Carrie is survived by her close friend, Patricia Major, MD, and her two dogs, Shadow and Wilma.

She was a longtime resident of Key West and a well-known figure. She managed the Mermaid Lounge on Duval Street and later, Carrie's Airport Lounge. She was also active for many years in real estate and was a member of the Florida Board of Realtors. For the past 20 years, she managed the guesthouse Sweet Caroline.

Carrie was a charter member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy and worked tirelessly for their charities. She was proud to be a true Italian and was active throughout the state. She had an indefatigable energy in everything she did. She tirelessly nurtured the lodge from its fledgling beginnings in 1979 to its present 75 members. Under her leadership, the lodge donates over $15,000 annually to various charities and scholarships.

Craig Cates proclaimed Feb. 23, 2012, Carrie V. Trumbo Day for her service to the Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, as well as her national and local fundraising efforts.

She will be dearly missed by all the Sons and Daughters of Italy, which she considered to be her baby. She was, without doubt, the backbone of the lodge. She never hesitated to give her boundless energy to all her charities and to any endeavor she undertook.

A memorial service is planned in the future by the Sons and Daughters of Italy. Carrie's wish was that her ashes be scattered in the ocean following her cremation, and this will be done in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the VNA/Hospice of the Florida Keys Inc., 1319 William St., Key West, FL 33040.

PAMALA M. CATALA

Pamala M. Catala passed away Wednesday after a battle with cancer. Pam was born Aug. 24, 1948, in Key West; the daughter of a Navy man, she only lived here a short time as a child before moving on, but she returned as an adult to the place she always considered home.

After graduating from Oscar S. Smith High School in Chesapeake, Va., in 1966, she joined the Army, serving for three years. After receiving an honorable discharge, she returned to Key West, going to work for the Key West Police Department for six years as a dispatcher. Little did she know at the time, she was working with the man she would eventually fall in love with and marry.

She left Key West once again in 1975, and moved back to Virginia, where she worked as a school resource officer for 16 years. Then, in 1991, she moved back to Key West for the last time. She began working for the Public Defender's Office. Happy to be back in her hometown, she became reacquainted with Vincent Catala, whom she'd worked with at the Police Department. They married in November 1997 and he turned out to be the one she'd been looking for all her life. They lived happily together until her death.

Pam loved her family dearly. She loved to go out dancing on Friday nights with her husband, "The Big Cat." She enjoyed watching television and shopping with her loving granddaughter, Jordan Rose. The two of them frequently spent time having their nails done and doing "girl" stuff.

She and Vincent have a second home in Vero Beach, near her brother Steve; her brother Gary also has a second home there, and they would all get together for dinner, drinks and a good time. She and Vincent loved to visit Vero and see her family, but her heart was always in Key West.

After 20 years with the Public Defender's Office, Pam was looking forward to retirement next year and to spending more time relaxing both here and in Vero Beach. She is now retired and we know she is relaxing in a better place where she has nothing to worry about and where cancer can no longer touch her.

Pam is survived by her husband, Vincent; her two sons, Donald Catala of Key West (Rebecca Herrin) and Terrill Gay of Dothan, Ala. (Becky); her three grandchildren, Jordan Rose Catala and Brooks and Bradley Gay; her brothers, Steve McAnelly of Vero Beach (Marilyn LeVecchia) and Gary McAnelly of Pennsylvania (Patti Wallace); her sister, Cindy Johnson of Sarasota (Terry); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert McAnelly and Grace Codding McAnelly, and her half-brother, Kenneth Main.

Services will be 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Dean Lopez Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Key West Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until service time on Sunday at the funeral home. The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

EDWARD RICHARD

Edward Richard passed away after a long illness on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

He was born Feb. 6, 1948, in New Haven, Conn., to Neil Richard and the late Rita Richard. Ed served in the Army and was the retired owner and president of Richard Mfg. in Milford, Conn. Ed loved living in the Florida Keys, spending time on his boat with his wife, Karen. They both shared an affection for fine food and Ed enjoyed cooking dinner for his wife. He also enjoyed relaxing while reading. His quick wit and humor were appreciated by many. Ed is survived by his devoted wife, Karen, who lived with him in their home in Cudjoe Key, Fla.; his father, Neil Richard of Cape Coral, Fla.; sister, Ellen Mahoney of Fort Myers, Fla.; brother, Neil "Bud" Richard of Milford; son, Joel Richard of Los Angeles, Calif.; daughters and their spouses, Cindy and Jim Steponavich of Milford, and Kim and John Chemecky of Bethany, Conn.; grandchildren, Janice, Jennifer, John and Jason Chemecky and Nichole, Daniel and Rachael Steponavich. Ed will also be missed by his many friends and his beloved dogs, Mikey and Ziggy. Ed's celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home is entrusted with all funeral arrangements.

Ernest Salazar JR.

Ernest Salazar Jr., 87, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 30, 2012. He had always been healthy and in exceptional condition and lived a full life. He was born in Key West, Fla., on Sept. 19, 1924, the eldest of two sons, to the late Ernesto "Baby" Salazar and Eva "Cuca" Acosta, who were also Conchs. He grew up in his hometown enjoying life in simpler times where neighborhoods were like extended families who shared what little they had and watched over each other's children. He loved fishing from shore or bridges, developed a passion for planes, and learned model building at an early age.

He entered the Army Air Force at 19 during World War ll and was sent to the Airplane and Engine Mechanic technical school at Seymour Johnson Field, N.C. From there he went to the propeller specialist school at Caldwell, N.J., where he excelled in this field. His military tours took him to India, Burma, and Okinawa. He marveled at the Taj Mahal and carried a picture of himself by it in his wallet for the rest of his life. He returned to the United States and was honorably discharged in January 1946.

Ernest then returned to his Key West family, eventually joining owner John Scribner's Key West Electrical Repair Service as an electric motor repairman. As the shrimping industry grew, he began working in the maintenance and repair department on shrimp boat electrical systems and was soon in great demand.

In 1948, he married Edna Eatherly and they soon had two daughters, to the delight of grandparents Ernesto and Eva. They left Key West in 1959 to pursue job opportunities in coastal Louisiana and Texas in his field of electrical work in the shrimping industry. They then moved to Downey, Calif., in 1964, where he spent 25 years working for a large electric motor repair facility. During that time, he and Edna parted ways and his daughters grew up and married. Upon his retirement in 1989, he headed back to his island home to join his now extended Key West family.

He lived at the Senior Plaza, where he returned to model building and collecting. He made many new friends there, as he was a kind and compassionate man with a great sense of humor. He was well liked, often volunteering his electrical skills to neighboring tenants. He and his brother Lenny shared a passion for planes and went to many air shows together. He also enjoyed big band music, going to the movies, and attending performances at the TWFAC theater.

Ernie was a member of the local Old Coots group who met for lunch every week for many years. He was a member of the Interplanetary Society and an active, contributing member of the Air Force Association. He began accumulating more models than he could build and, through the AFA, he sent several boxes to an Army group stationed in Iraq. His stockpile of models has been donated to the military. He was also a member of the First Congregational Church for many years, where he served as an usher along with his brother.

His favorite local group was the Long Time Locals Breakfast Club, where he joined his brother nearly every morning. He enjoyed the camaraderie and often brought in his own "show and tell" inventions. Their last breakfast together was on Sunday, April 29, followed by some shopping and a leisurely phone call that evening with lots of laughter and Ernie's big band music playing in the background.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many dear friends and will live on in the hearts of those left behind. Left to honor and remember him are his younger brother, Leonard (Kathleen) Salazar Sr. of Key West; two daughters, Rosemary (David) Holbrook of Falling Waters, W.Va., Theresa Salazar (Jeff Cook) of Bentonville, Va.; two granddaughters, Christina (John) Lewis and Angelina Mitchell; one grandson, Matthew Merrick; nine great-grandchildren; cousin Lorraine (Cucho) Sanchez of Key West; numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families. He will be sorely missed by his dear, longtime friends Charlotte Wrana of Seal Beach, Calif., and Art (Doreen) Omand of Las Vegas, Nev., with whom he had frequent communication.

Ernest was cremated in accordance with his wishes and all arrangements entrusted to Castillo & Thurston's Key West Mortuary and Cremation Center. A private family memorial and internment will be held upon arrival of out of town family members.