8/20/2024
City of Mayor and Council Offices
Santa Clara Memorandum
The Center of What's Possible
Date August 20, 2024
To: Mayor and Council
From: Mayor and Council Office
Subject: Adjournment of the August 20, 2024, Council & Authorities Concurrent Meeting Adjournment
Please adjourn the August 20, 2024, meeting in memory of Senator Elaine K. Alquist, California Supreme Court Justice Edward Panelli, Jose Rocha Gaspar, and Shirley Durso.
Senator Elaine K. Alquist To be read by Mayor Gillmor
• Senator Elaine K. Alquist, 79, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 9. • She spent two decades representing Silicon Valley in the California State Senate, California State Assembly, and Cupertino Union School District as board member and then president.
• Raised in a Greek immigrant family, Elaine became the first Greek American woman elected to the California State Legislature in November 1996. • Senator Alquist fought tirelessly to improve California's public education system and to protect the health of all Californians, particularly vulnerable youth and elders. • Some of her proudest accomplishments were her introduction of Silver Alert (SB 1047) for missing seniors and her work on seismic safety and HMO and nursing home reform. • Senator Alquist was the proud mother and Yia yia to sons Peter and Bryan White; and grandchildren Jasmine, Logan and Liam White; and loving partner to her "PF" (Permanent Fiancé.) J. Duncan Benas.
California Supreme Court Justice Edward Panelli To be read by Mayor Gillmor • Justice Edward Panelli passed away on July 20, 2024, at the age of 92. • He was born at home in Santa Clara to Italian immigrants, and rose from a hard childhood in Depression-era Santa Clara Valley to the state's highest court. • Edward earned a tuition scholarship to Santa Clara University in 1949 and graduated with honors. After moving on to SCU's law school, he finished at the top of his class.
POST MEETING MATERIAL
City of Mayor and Council Offices
Santa Clara Memorandum
The Center of What's Possible
• In 1955 Edward met his future wife, Lorna, at a mutual friend's wedding. They were married for 63 years until Lorna's death in 2019.
• Panelli's legal career would go on to span six decades, beginning as a lawyer in the 1950s, then serving as a Superior Court judge before his appointment to the California Supreme Court in 1985.
• After retiring, he continued to work as an arbitrator, mediator, legal scholar and educator. • Justice Panelli is survived by his sons, Tom, Jeff and Mike; and four grandchildren, Joey, Elisa, Clara, and Makiko.
Jose Rocha Gaspar To be read by Mayor Gillmor
• Jose Rocha Gaspar, former President of the Filarmonica Portuguesa de Santa Clara, passed away on August 13, 2024, at the age of 82.
• He was a cherished member of his family, and a friend to many, known for his kindness, generosity, and warm spirit.
• Jose will be remembered for his love, laughter, and the positive impact he had on everyone he met.
• His unwavering support and affection touched the lives of those around him, and his presence will be profoundly missed.
Shirley Durso To be read by Councilmember Watanabe
• Shirley was a graduate of Santa Clara High School.
• Shirley married Casey on February 18, 1957. A favorite story Shirley always shared was about the night she "met a sailor at a dance and it was love at first sight." • After Casey's career with Santa Clara Fire Department, Shirley and Casey opened Dis- stink Engraving, a small shop and business in the neighborhood on Jefferson St. in between Benton and Franklin streets.
• Shirley and Casey were the original and only owners of their Santa Clara home on Malarin Ave. until it was sold in 2023. Shirley loved decorating the house for all holidays and celebrating with the neighborhood.
• Shirley's biggest passion was celebrating Christmas, and the Christmas tree was always decorated to the nines with ornaments that were all fire engines. • Shirley will be deeply missed by all that knew her.