Deaths in the Family

Damayanti Rani Chinniah passed away peacefully on Friday, August 5th 2022 at age 81 at home surrounded by her family. She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Bennet Chinniah, her sons David Chinniah and wife Renuka, Tim Chinniah and wife Sharla and grandchildren Analise and Joshua. She is the beloved sister of the late Balen Anketell and late wife Eva and surviving siblings, Dr. Inpam Arulanantham and husband Karunyan, Dr. Arul Anketell and wife Ranji, Suren Anketell and wife Christine as well as Gnane Anketell and wife Chandra.
 
Damayanti was born on October 6th, 1940 in Sri Lanka and was the daughter of the late Ernest Balasingham and Thapomani Anketell. Her mother passed away when she was only 2 months old. Her father remarried the late Susan Anketell whom she knew as her mother. 
Damayanti was a dedicated and beloved high school science and scripture teacher at Methodist College in Sri Lanka and after immigrating with her family to the US in 1984, taught at a Jr. High school for a limited time and pre-school for several years. She was loved by her students until she retired. She was known and admired for her organizational skills and resolve to live simply by her faith in God and values. She was also a voluntary Sunday school teacher and was involved with her local church, Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California along with her husband Bennet.
 
Damayanti loved music and singing and actively participated in choirs and singing events. She and her husband, Bennet moved to live with her younger son Tim and family in Maryland in January 2022 as it became increasingly difficult for her and Bennet to live independently due to age and ailments.
 
She had suffered from dementia over the past decade of her life but continued to have a love of singing and showed an amazing ability to remember the words of hymns and other songs despite her advanced dementia. She always lighted up the room with her singing and authentic spirit. She will be definitely missed by all close to her.

The memorial service is on Sat August 12 at 11 am at Faith Christian Fellowship Church
505 E 42nd St
Baltimore, MD 21218

Betty Hutchison went on to be with the Lord on June 15, 2022. After a 5-year battle with cancer, she passed away peacefully at home with her husband John and son John Michael present.

Betty was a woman with strong faith in Christ. She was raised in Virginia. She attended the University of Tennessee earning a BS in Business & Music. While attending she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, University Concert Choir, UT Singers, and Intervarsity. After graduating she went to work for Billy Graham in Europe. Upon returning to the United States, she attended Georgetown University earning her MBA and then began working for IBM. She then moved into Ethic Consulting which led to working for The Walt Disney Company. She then transitioned into working in Social Compliance Consulting beginning with PricewaterhouseCoopers and then Bureau Veritas.

Betty met her husband John through a mutual friend while they both lived in the Washington, DC area. However, they did not begin dating and eventually marrying until they both lived in Southern California.

Betty lived in San Marino for 22 years and was active in the community volunteering for many organizations. She was active in her son’s K-12 schools of Carver Elementary, Huntington Middle School, and San Marino High School. She was involved with the PTA, youth sports, athletic boosters, music & drama groups, drumline and scouting. She received Carver Elementary School’s Golden Nugget award; Huntington Middle School’s Huntington Halo, San Marino High School’s Terrific Titan, and the PTA Founder’s Day Honorary Service Award. She also was a member of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts.

Betty is preceded in death by her father Buell Cline. She is survived by her husband John and son John Michael; along with her mother Janice Cline and brother Richard Cline. Both her husband and son are very thankful to God for having Betty as part of their lives. She was a very loving & wonderful mother and wife. She will be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 11am in the LAC Chapel. Pastor Steve Morgan officiating. The service will also be live streamed on utube.  https://youtu.be/iomu200gMn8

Robert Chan Wong of Alhambra, California passed away on May 3, 2022 at the age of 96. He was born on February 16, 1926, in Alvarado, California, where he also grew up.

He enlisted in the Army after finishing high school. While in the service, he studied aeronautical engineering. He continued those studies at the University of Illinois (Chicago Campus) and earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1948.

Bob worked for Hughes Aircraft Company and the Rheem Corporation for five years each before a 25-year career at TRW Systems, Inc. His responsibilities at TRW involved defense satellite systems, as well as assemblies that were part of the Apollo series moon launches.

His many artistic hobbies included painting, woodworking, and photography. A Christian from his youth, he was active in several churches, serving in every lay position, such as deacon, trustee, elder, and Sunday School teacher.

He is preceded in death by his two wives, Ida and Cathy. Also deceased are a brother and sister, Roy and Rosemary. Bob and Ida were the parents of four children (Rholan, Ronney, Ilene, and Irena). He had twelve grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

All family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 2nd, at Westwood Memorial Park, 1218 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles. A graveside internment at Pacific Crest Cemetery, 2701 182nd Street in Redondo Beach will follow immediately after the funeral service. A celebration of Bob’s life will take place after internment at Sea Empress Restaurant, 1636 West Redondo Beach Boulevard in Gardena.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob’s name to the Alzheimer’s Los Angeles organization.

Doris K. Eldred (96) passed away on April 28 at Atherton Baptist Homes. She is survived by her cousins Mary (Gary) Couey, Marcia (Bob) Vickery, Margaret Lindstrom, and Nephews and Nieces Chris (Patti) Kent, Carol (Craig) Eiland, Karen (Hassan) El-Kara, Kirk (Kim) Eldred, Gretchen (Brian) Eslinger and Grandniece Kristal Musgrave. She participated in Bible Studies, Sunday School teaching, and Discipleship Training Ministry. A memorial was held on May 12 at San Gabriel Cemetery.

Luz Maria Cortinas (95 years 8 months) passed away on January 13, 2022. At her bedside were her godson Kevin and wife Jayma. She is survived by her godson Kevin and Jayma Auen and his family, Nicholaus Auen, Christopher Auen, Shayna Mueller, Andrew Auen and their families; and goddaughter Lisa Perez and her family Chad Roberts and Elizabeth Roberts and Chad's girls Lily Ann and Poppy Jean; plus an aunt and many cousins, and her friends and Sunday School students. Many at Lake were touched by her love for her Lord Jesus. Luz was involved for decades with teaching Sunday School to 3 1/2 year old students where she grounded them in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Into her 90's she helped with VBS. She always managed to touch someone's life no matter where she was. A service celebrating the life of Luz Cortinas was held February 15, 2022 at Sunrise Chapel and her interment at Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, California.

Robert Phillips (98) passed away on March 15 at home in Arcadia. He is
survived by: Peggy Jo and Gary Long, Linda and Bill Larew, Don and Nancy
Phillips, seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Bob was
President of Mariners Sunday School, Assistant Choir Director,
Superintendent of Adult Sunday School, Song Leader for Sunday Evening song
services, High School Sponsor, Deacon, Ministry Council and Navigators
Sunday School Song Leader. At this time there will be a private burial
service for family only. If there is a more open celebration, there will
be further notification.

Peter Serdienis (70) passed away on Feb. 28 at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. He is survived by his daughters Jennifer Serdienis and Sarah Betzler, their spouses Matt Kohorst and Luke Betzler, and 3 grandchildren Peter, Richard and Holland Betzler. He was a lifetime member of Lake Avenue Church and participated in the Grandparenting Class. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 19 in the Worship Center. Viewing from 9-10am, service from 10-11am. Pastor Roger Bosch will officiate the service.

Sandi Brune (73) passed away on Feb. 23 at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. She is survived by her husband Allen Brune, son Christopher, daughter-in-law Dawn Brune, daughter Erin Cooper, son-in-law Joel Cooper, and 5 grandchildren Priscilla, Colin, Celeste, Calvin and Sebastian. She sang in the Choir, and participated in the Galileans Class, VBS, and Arts Camps.

Memorial will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 10am in the LAC Chapel. Pastor Bill Mead officiating.