Obituaries

Arthur J. Mendelsohn Sr., Kathi Ann Simon, Yvonne Smith, Sharon (Minkey) Surabian

Arthur J. Mendelsohn Sr.

Arthur J. Mendelsohn Sr. 82, a longtime resident of La Cañada, died Saturday, July 22, 2006 after a battle with cancer.

Mr. Mendelsohn was born March 7, 1924 to Michael and Anna Mendelsohn in New York City. He graduated from Southside High School in Oceanside, NY.

In 1942, Mr. Mendelsohn enlisted in the Army Air Corp on December 7th, one year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He served honorably during World War II with the 463rd Bomb Group, a B-17 heavy bombardment group, flying 39 missions over Italy, Romania and Germany. He was wounded during a mission to bomb the Mercedes Benz tank factory in Berlin and was awarded a Purple Heart.

After the war he attended Washington State University in Pullman, Washington where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1949. He returned to New York where he joined the United States Treasury Department as an agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Mr. Mendelsohn worked undercover in New York for 20 years battling the narcotic trafficking business. He was also the arresting officer of the noted underworld figure, Joseph Valachi. While working for the Bureau he married Helen Suzanne Cassidy, a Navy nurse, on October 2, 1954.

In 1966 Mr. Mendelsohn was transferred to Los Angeles where he became assistant agent in charge of the Federal Bureau office. While there, he was responsible for establishing the liaison between the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in Los Angeles and the Las Vegas Police Department, which was formed to combat the growing drug trade between the two cities.

In 1972 he left the Federal Bureau and formed his own investigation firm, AJM Investigations, which he managed for over 20 years before retiring.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Sue Mendelsohn; his loving daughter, Suzanne Arnett; his four loving sons, Arthur Jr, Michael, Kevin and Timothy; and his four beloved grandchildren Michelle, Christopher, Kelly, and Kayte.

The funeral services will be held at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada at 9:30 a.m. today (Thursday, July 27). A procession to Forest Lawn, Glendale will follow the services and a reception will be held at the family home following the interment.

For further information contact Cabot & Sons Mortuary at (626) 793-7159.

Kathi Ann Simon

La Cañada resident Kathi Ann Simon, who fought a courageous, nine-year battle with breast cancer, died July 18 at her home. She was 46 years old.

Kathi was born Dec. 10, 1959. She was a graduate of Grant High School and Pierce College. For 10 years she was a legal secretary with the Law Offices of Berglund & Johnson.

Kathi was passionate about her faith in Jesus Christ and she was dedicated to sharing her faith and caring for her family. Her hobby was traveling, landing on every continent of the globe with her family.

She was known as a kind, gracious and loving daughter, mother, sister and friend to many. She centered her life around sharing her faith with her children.

By exploring the world together, she gave her children the tools to mature spiritually, physically and emotionally. She will be remembered for her adventurous, courageous, competitive spirit and always with a twinkle in her blue eyes and a friendly smile as she beat anyone at a board game or debate. She lived the abundant life she was meant to live and fought for life to see her children bloom into productive and happy young adults.

Kathi is survived by her husband, Mark Andrew Simon; son Michael Philip Simon, a university sophomore who will study accounting in Hong Kong in the fall; daughter Casey Joy Simon, a high school senior; brother Steve Wedell (and Aunt Barb); sister Kristi Bailes (and Uncle Bob); and her parents, Howard and Carol Jean Wedell of Burbank.

Services were held July 21 at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Foundation for His Ministry, P.O. Box 74000, San Clemente, CA 92673-0134.

Yvonne Smith

A memorial service was held Saturday at the Glendale Masonic Lodge for Dr. Yvonne Smith, 88, a longtime Glendale resident who made her transition July 19.

Born in Colorado, Yvonne moved to Glendale and married Glendale High School sweetheart Martin Smith. Granted a doctorate in Religious Science, Dr. Smith served as associate minister of the First Church of Religious Science.

Yvonne was known as a spiritual seeker, world traveler, wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, loyal wife, loving friend, sharp dancer, card shark, ping-pong champ, bathing beauty, style maven, funny gal, role model, generous benefactor, sassy lady, eternal spirit.

She is survived by three daughters, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Donations in her memory may be made to: Religious Science Church of Glendale, PO Box 10008, Glendale, 91209.

Sharon Surabian

Sharon Ann (Minkey) Surabian passed away peacefully in her home on July 22, 2006 surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. She dealt with death, as in life, with strength, dignity and a strong spiritual foundation.

Sharon was born on Sept. 25, 1944 in Santa Monica. She was raised in La Crescenta and graduated from Hoover High School and Glendale Community College. She worked with children for over 15 years within the Glendale Unified School District. She had recently retired from the school district after working with young adults with disabilities in the FACTS program.

Sharon was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, kind heart and gentle touch. She was loved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband, John; daughters, Mandy and husband, Jim Granier, Cindi Klone, Melissa Minkey; six grandchildren, Nicholas, Austin, Andrew, Kaylie, Courtney and Brooke; sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Larry Densberger. Memorial services and interment will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, at the Old North Church at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.