This page pays tribute to Neighbors Abroad's leaders and champions who have passed away. Their contributions to our organization, our Sister Cities, the City of Palo Alto, and to the greater Silicon Valley region will forever be remembered and appreciated.
Frances K. Dias
Frances K. Dias passed away on November 9, 2023. She was 100 years old. Frances was the first woman mayor of Palo Alto and a leader in Neighbors Abroad, establishing Palo Alto’s sister city of Oaxaca, Mexico. Frances graduated from New Trier High School, Wilmette, IL, before attending the University of Colorado, followed by graduate studies at the University of California Berkeley and later the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. Frances’ life was devoted to public service. As the first woman mayor of Palo Alto in 1966, she was an active member of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Bay Conservation & Development Commission (BCDC) where she championed environmental protections. Read her full obituary here.
Aurelio Macedonio Espinosa Jr.
Aurelio Macedonio Espinosa Jr. passed away in July 2004 at the age of 97. He served as Neighbors Abroad's president from 1970-71. He was a long time resident of Palo Alto and Professor of Spanish at Stanford University. Aurelio was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1907, and moved to Palo Alto in 1910 when his father joined the Stanford faculty. He graduated from Palo Alto High School and Stanford University. He continued graduate study at the University of Madrid in Spain, completing his Doctorate in 1932. He remained in Spain conducting research on linguistics and folklore until 1936, when he accepted a teaching position at Harvard University. Commissioned into the US Army in 1942, he spent the next four years at the US Military Academy as an instructor in foreign languages. While at West Point, he helped establish the Russian language program. In 1946, he returned to Stanford, accepting a position in the Department of Romance Languages, where he remained until his retirement in 1972.
Iraida Busó Espinosa
Iraida Busó Espinosa passed away peacefully in her Los Altos home on January 5, 2023, a month shy of her 105th birthday. A musician, mother, teacher, and community volunteer, Iraida had boundless energy, loved spending time with family and friends, and believed in taking full advantage of the opportunities that life presented. Iraida was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on February 22, 1918, the youngest of five children born to Monserrate Carrasquillo Martinez and Francisco Busó Cabrero. Iraida retired from teaching in the Palo Alto Unified School District in 1983 and focused her energies on community service. A longtime member of Neighbors Abroad, she served as the organization’s president from 1983–84 and remained active throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She developed a special interest in Palo, Leyte, Palo Alto’s sister city in the Philippines, and worked to raise funding for a children’s library and vocational training center there.
Joe Carleton
Joe Carleton, a longtime Palo Alto community activist, devotee of Neighbors Abroad, and husband of longtime past-board member Ruth Carleton, passed away in October 2000. Joe was responsible for securing the first delivery of a Palo Alto firetruck to Oaxaca. He also was active with Sister City Palo, Leyte, the Philippines. In that capacity, he recruited a team of Interplast doctors to travel with him to Palo to teach doctors there how to perform surgery on children with cleft palates. The Giants Club of Palo named its computer center, and later its library, in his honor. A Palo Alto resident for more than 30 years, he received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from MIT and his master's degree from Stanford University. He came to the West Coast while serving in the Navy Reserves in San Diego before settling in Palo Alto in the early 1960s. He spent most of his career as a forensic scientist, analyzing the mechanical causes of accidents. Joe was active in the civil right movement, the anti-war movement, and supported the United Farm Workers of America. He also was a devoted environmentalist and once served as Conservation Chair of the Loma Prieta chapter of the Sierra Club.
Margery Theobald Collins
Marge Collins, a long-time Palo Alto educator and former president of Neighbors Abroad, died in October 2010. Marge graduated from high school in Manilla, Iowa in 1950, where she was the valedictorian of her class. She spent two years at the University of Northern Iowa and then received her undergraduate degree from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. After coming to California, Marge earned two Master's Degrees from San Jose State University. Marge taught first grade and worked as a literacy specialist in the Palo Alto Unified School District beginning in 1965. In addition to serving as president of Neighbors Abroad, she was a board member of the United Nations Association, Environmental Volunteers, Palo Alto Historical Association, and advisory board member for the Palo Alto Historical Museum and Gamble Garden. She was a Tall Tree recipient in 1994 and A Friend of Education in 2006.
Barbara Evans
Past president and longtime member Barbara Evans passed away on September 2, 2022. Barbara and her husband Joe joined Neighbors Abroad in 1998. It did not take long for Barbara to make an indelible mark on the organization. She enthusiastically committed herself to a wide array of Sister City committees, board meetings, fundraisers, delegation visits and exchange programs. Barbara was also a formidable leader: In 2007, when Neighbors Abroad lacked a clear candidate to lead the organization, Barbara and Joe stepped up to become co-presidents. As Barbara noted in a 2016 edition of "El Chisme de Neighbors Abroad," the "interim" position ended up lasting nine years! We honor Barbara's lasting contributions to Neighbors Abroad. She leaves a legacy of leadership, advocacy and selfless dedication. The photo here, published in 2013 by the Palo Alto Online & Palo Alto Weekly to coincide with Neighbors Abroad's 50th anniversary, captures Barbara as we will all remember her: Focused, energized and eager to spread Neighbors Abroad's mission to foster lasting friendships across borders.
Joseph Evans
Joseph Evans passed away in October 2023. For nine years in the early 2000s, Joe co-led Neighbors Abroad with his beloved wife, Barbara, who passed away in 2022. He also served as the group's longtime membership chair. Neighbors Abroad President Sarah Burgess remembers Joe as having a great sense of humor and a quick wit. "He and Barbara were both extremely active and came up with a lot of Neighbors Abroad's most popular and impactful activities," Sarah remembers. "We are so glad he was able to attend the performance last year of the Linköping Brass Band, which Barbara had helped organize before her passing."
In Memoriam of Our Barbara and Joe Evans
by Ruth Carlton
Three cheers for Barbara and Joe.
Who brought joy where'ere they did go!
Whether near or far--
They were like a star
And good will, they always did sow!
As President of Neighbors Abroad, Barbara did bide
With Joe ever present at her side
The hard work They did not shirk
And a sometimes raucous group they did guide!
The concept of Sister Cities, they held dear.
Eisenhower's dream that world peace could be clear.
The idea's a gem, So true to them,
It's the dream we ALL still do cheer!
One thing, among others, at their home, never ceased--Each delicious, wonderful feast!
With people galore From every shore. They always gave the MOST not the least!
So today, we can joyfully sing
Of the hope Joe and Barbara did bring!
Our voices lend, Fond memories send--And for all of us, these hopes always ring!
by Ruth Carlton
Three cheers for Barbara and Joe.
Who brought joy where'ere they did go!
Whether near or far--
They were like a star
And good will, they always did sow!
As President of Neighbors Abroad, Barbara did bide
With Joe ever present at her side
The hard work They did not shirk
And a sometimes raucous group they did guide!
The concept of Sister Cities, they held dear.
Eisenhower's dream that world peace could be clear.
The idea's a gem, So true to them,
It's the dream we ALL still do cheer!
One thing, among others, at their home, never ceased--Each delicious, wonderful feast!
With people galore From every shore. They always gave the MOST not the least!
So today, we can joyfully sing
Of the hope Joe and Barbara did bring!
Our voices lend, Fond memories send--And for all of us, these hopes always ring!
Betty Gerard
Betty Watkins Gerard died peacefully at her home of 61 years in Palo Alto, CA on November 16, 2022, at age 97. Born in Seattle, Washinton, on February 23, 1925, she was the only child of Flora and Alva Leland (A.L.) Watkins. Both sides of her family included pioneers who’d arrived in Washington by covered wagon. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Washington, she earned her MBJ at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in 1948. (As one of just five women in her class, Betty was flattered when a professor praised her by saying she “wrote like a man.”) Betty’s working career included public relations/writing positions at Westinghouse, Sunset Magazine and Raychem, before spending 22 years as a writer and editor for Hewlett-Packard in Palo Alto. Betty applied her journalism skills to producing newsletters, press releases, and ads for a number of community organizations, including Neighbors Abroad. She also devoted time to the Palo Alto Historical Association, the League of Women Voters, and the World Affairs Council–Peninsula Chapter. Her interests included international travel (one highlight: being in Berlin when the Wall came down) and photography.
Joyce Marie Leonard
Joyce Leonard passed away peacefully at her home in Palo Alto surrounded by her loving family on May 21st. She was two months shy of her 94th birthday.
Joyce was born in Honor, Michigan to Carl and Helen Green. Joyce, her two sisters and her brother enjoyed life on the family’s farm near Traverse City, with woods, cherry orchards, and Lake Michigan nearby. This setting fostered Joyce’s love of nature and the outdoors from an early age and influenced her passion for the environment later in life.
Joyce’s first and most important career was that of a loving wife and mother. Despite her hectic home life with four children under the age of five, Joyce was a community builder and found time to volunteer and give back whenever possible. She pursued many community activities including becoming president of the Palo Alto Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and of Neighbor’s Abroad (Palo Alto’s Sister City Program). She was also Chairwoman of the Palo Alto Pest Study Committee, advisory member of the War on Waste Committee for the City of Palo Alto, and a classroom tutor at the local elementary school. Joyce's full obituary is here.
Joyce was born in Honor, Michigan to Carl and Helen Green. Joyce, her two sisters and her brother enjoyed life on the family’s farm near Traverse City, with woods, cherry orchards, and Lake Michigan nearby. This setting fostered Joyce’s love of nature and the outdoors from an early age and influenced her passion for the environment later in life.
Joyce’s first and most important career was that of a loving wife and mother. Despite her hectic home life with four children under the age of five, Joyce was a community builder and found time to volunteer and give back whenever possible. She pursued many community activities including becoming president of the Palo Alto Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and of Neighbor’s Abroad (Palo Alto’s Sister City Program). She was also Chairwoman of the Palo Alto Pest Study Committee, advisory member of the War on Waste Committee for the City of Palo Alto, and a classroom tutor at the local elementary school. Joyce's full obituary is here.
Leland Levy
Leland Levy, a former Palo Alto mayor who was known as well for his satirical songs as for his lifelong commitment to building playgrounds, improving parks and enhancing local infrastructure, died this week. He was 90.
A former stockbroker and financial adviser, Levy had spent three terms on the City Council between 1979 and 1991 and served as mayor in 1985. He also represented the city on various regional boards and associations, including League of California Cites, Neighbors Abroad and Santa Clara Intergovernmental Council, according to a resolution that the council passed for him in 1992, just after he concluded his term. Leland's full obituary is here.
A former stockbroker and financial adviser, Levy had spent three terms on the City Council between 1979 and 1991 and served as mayor in 1985. He also represented the city on various regional boards and associations, including League of California Cites, Neighbors Abroad and Santa Clara Intergovernmental Council, according to a resolution that the council passed for him in 1992, just after he concluded his term. Leland's full obituary is here.
James Donald McCavitt
James Donald McCavitt passed away on April 13, 2018. Born and raised in the Appalachian coal mining town of Defiance, Pennsylvania, Jim served in the U.S. Navy and attended Pennsylvania State University. Jim eventually settled in Palo Alto where he taught hundreds of elementary school children from the 1960s through the 1990s in the Palo Alto Unified School District. Several generations learned the Golden Rule from Jim and often heard his favorite adage: "Common sense is very uncommon!" During school vacations, Jim traveled the world, visiting over 100 countries in his lifetime. He loved exploring new cultures, meeting new people and collecting the works of local artisans. Neighbors Abroad was always close to his heart. He was dedicated to the children of Oaxaca, and in particular to the programs of Niño a Niño (now Vidas y Sueños). Jim’s bequest to Neighbors Abroad has benefited countless children in Oaxaca.
James Newton
Longtime Neighbors Abroad board member Jim Newton passed away on September 13, 2023 at the age of 88. Jim was a stalwart contributor to Neighbors Abroad for decades. He served a lengthy term as treasurer and had a special affinity for Mexico, where he and his wife, Barbara, resided for several years. Neighbors Abroad’s activities in Oaxaca provided Jim the opportunity to indulge his love of Mexican culture and to extend a helping hand to those in need. Jim traveled to Oaxaca many times and was a steadfast supporter of the Neighbors Abroad-supported Albergue Josefino, which cares for vulnerable children in the region. Upon hearing the news, fellow board members shared their memories of Jim. “Jim was always a happy presence at our board meetings, and presented information with a twinkle in his eye and a ready joke,” said NA president Sarah Burgess. Past president Bob Wenzlau added that Jim was “a sheer delight” and praised Jim’s efforts as treasurer during some difficult transition years for the organization. Jim's full obituary is here.
Ralph White
Ralph White, a Los Altos resident, passed away in January 2001. He was 75. Ralph was a Neighbors Abroad board member for many years and worked closely with at least four Sister Cities beginning in 1987. He served as president in the early 1980s. Because of his wife's Swedish heritage, he had a particular interest Linköping and helped establish that Sister City, along with Neighbors Abroad's Dutch Sister City, Enschede.