Anna May Bryant

Matthew Garnier Conway “Maverick”

Florence Larson

Patricia Nixon Mallery

Dana Darlene Riche

Anna May Bryant

Anna May Bryant passed away April 2, 2012. Anna was born Jan. 4, 1931, in Seattle, Wash., one of nine children. They moved to Sparks, Nev. where she enjoyed horseback riding. She was a candy striper during her school years she gradated from Reno High School and moved to Los Angeles to become a model.

While walking down the street one day she eyed a young man going the opposite direction. She sparked his interest enough for him to turn around and follow her. Three weeks later after cupid’s arrow shot the love bug, they were married March 23, 1950. Anna and Raymond were blessed with four children their perfect number.

While raising four children in Los Angeles Anna became a PTA president, playground monitor, and made clothes for her children.

Anna loved her music and would play it while cleaning, relaxing and cruising down the road. She would write out the words to the songs so that her children could sing along.

Anna, Raymond and kids moved to Susanville in 1972. Together they built a business known as Bryant’s Plumbing. Anna was a bookkeeper receptionist, bobby sox manager, and was a full-time mother. Anna’s love for crafts inspired her to do leather work, painting and stained glass; Anna also continued her education by obtaining her A.A. degree.

Holiday events and family gatherings were her time to shine. She would make food from scratch, pies, cakes and bread rolls. Anna could be seen forever planting, pruning or pulling. Anna will be dearly missed. She was loved by many.

Proceeded in death by her husband, Raymond Bryant; father, Elliezear Graham; mother, Ruth Graham; sisters, Ruth Felsted and JoAnn Krueger; brothers, Edward Graham and Charles Graham.

Survived by sons, Floyd, of Susanville, and Vincent, of Alaska; daughters, Patricia, of Susanville and Heidi, of Visalia, Calif.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Survived by siblings, Essie, Carol, Franklin and Judy.

Viewing will be held at from 2 to 7 p.m. April 12 at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary Susanville. Graveside services will he held at Mountain View Cemetery in Reno at 2 p.m. April 13.

Matthew Garnier Conway “Maverick”

Matt was born in Susanville, Calif. Oct. 3, 1949 and passed away in Detroit, Ore., March 28, 2012. He was the eldest son of Mary Garnier Conway, of Susanville, and Ralph Joseph Conway, of Santa Fe, N.M. His sister, Jeanne Conway Winje, and brother, Tim Conway, brought Matt back to his roots and to his final resting place in Susanville.

Matt’s circle of life began in Susanville where his legacy as a multitalented and multifaceted “gentle” maverick began. His construction family roots paved the way for his mechanical knowledge. He possessed an uncanny and creative artistic talent, enabling him to “make something from seemingly nothing.” Matt was also first runner-up in the statewide Lions Club speech contest and a college debate champion. He earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis, and a master’s degree from University of Nevada, Reno. He also attended San Francisco School of Law.

From Bird Canyon in Doyle, Calif., to Colorado, Montana and Alaska, Matt loved to deer hunt with family and friends, sharing his spirit and time with others. After a long stint working in the real estate management and development business in the Bay Area, he migrated to the Oregon high desert country where he donned his “cowboy hat” and “Maverick” handle. He launched Maverick Video Productions and was an integral part of the Western United States horse circuit for much of the latter part of his career.

Eight years ago, Matt relocated to Detroit, Ore., where his legacy came full circle. While there, by force of his character, he unified a divided community by introducing “Cowboy Thanksgiving” — a late January celebration honoring the hardy ranchers of Montana prior to their midwinter calving season.

Detroit’s Larry said it best, “Maverick showed up here with very little material wealth but with an abundance of ‘spiritual wealth,’ which he unselfishly shared with all. He crossed all borders and was a goodwill ambassador, always talking about the positive in others. Maverick is loved by all and will be sorely missed!”

And from his family, “Matt was a poet — ‘Mysteries of Battle’ and ‘The Pine Tree;’ an excellent chef — Bad News Pasta; one of the ‘Infamous Three’ — the last team to steal the Stanford Axe from Cal Berkeley; Jeep driver and mechanic extraordinaire —he rebuilt three ’46 Willys Jeeps; 988 loader operator par excellence; artist, inventor, orator, outdoorsman and barefoot water skier. He could also spin a yarn — ‘Atta boy!’”

We will miss you, Maverick, and look forward to seeing you on the other side…

Services were held for Matt at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 120 N. Union St., Susanville. Luncheon and celebration of life followed at Monsignor Moran Hall, located at the corner of Weatherlow and North streets, one block from the church.

Florence Larson

Florence Larson was born Aug. 22, 1923 into the most fun loving Italian family in San Francisco Calif. She spent her childhood and early adult years in Half Moon Bay and the Bay Area.In the 1960s she, her husband and their four children moved to Janesville, Calif.Other than her family, Florence's main passion in life was her librarian job at Janesville Elementary School.She loved every teacher and student she worked with.She retired from Janesville Elementary after 23 years of dedicated service.Even after years went by, all her students still remembered her and the impact she made on their lives.

After Flo retired, her free time was spent with her family: Husband Conrad Larson, who passed in 2000, their children, and grandchildren. After an 88-year-long fun filled, loving life Flo went home to her husband, parents, siblings and two of her children (Phil, and Cheryl) on March 27, 2012.

Florence is survived by her children, Helen Stephens, John Brun and Robert Brun; grandchildren, Phil Brun, Jennifer Crowell, Alyx Karpowicz, Emory Brun, Brooke Brun and Alicia Price; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Mason, Trinity, Roman and Sierra.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Florence at 3:30 p.m. April 14 at Honey Lake Valley Assembly of God.

Patricia Nixon Mallery

1925-2012

It happened on Thursday, March 20, 2012 the passing of Patty Mallery. Known for her love and commitment to family, home and the ranching life that held her roots hard and fast to Lassen County.

Born on April 24, 1925 in Westwood, Calif., the eldest daughter of Frank and Mary Nixon. Patty was born a twin of a brother, Frank Jr., who died at the age of 6 in a drowning accident. Patty carried the sadness of that tragic day in her heart her entire life. Preceded in death by her younger and only sister, MaryLou Wales, of Susanville, also left a hole that Patty struggled to fill.

The Nixon family spent a good part of Patty’s youth in Ash Valley, where her father worked as a ranch hand, but her teen years identified her with the Litchfield area.

At the age of 18, Patty met a tall, handsome guy at one of the many dances which were a regular occurrence at the Standish Dance Hall. She married Milton Mallery not long after that fateful dance in 1945. They made a striking couple — Patty being a petite 5 foot, 2 inches and Milton 6 foot, 3 inches. Patty and Milton spent their whole 59 years together working and building their family and ranch. Starting the ranch out with only 200 acres, they grew to more than 2,000 acres at the time of Milton’s death in 2004. They were best known for their cow/calf operation but started out with milk cows, sheep, pigs and chickens. Milton was the dirt farmer while Patty loved the cows and calves.

Patty was an active member of Native Daughters of the Golden West, as well as the Lassen County CowBelles, which she held the prestige of being one of the founding members dating back to 1962. She was also active in Sacred Heart Church. Patty graduated from Lassen High School in 1943.

Patty is survived by six children, Arlan (Wanda) Mallery, of Susanville, Wilson (Ruth) Mallery, of Susanville, Paulette (Bailey) Carter, of Chico, Fred (Ronda) Mallery, of Janesville, Rita (Ron) Reich, of Rangely, Colo., Mark Mallery, of Los Angeles, Calif.; 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

In respect of her wishes, no services will be held. Her family plans a celebration of her life this coming summer.

Dana Darlene Riche

Dana Darlene Riche, 45, went to be with the Lord March 19, 2012 at Renown Medical Center. She was surrounded by her family and close friends who loved her and whom she loved.

Dana was born March 22, 1966 in Granada Hills, Calif. to Buddy and Darlene Riche. She had lived in Doyle, Calif. since 1971, coming from Newhall, Calif., where she lived from 1966-1971. She attended local schools and graduated from Lassen College with an associate’s degree and a certificate in education.

Dana was a Christian and attended The Doyle Christian Church all of her life. She was Secretary/Treasurer, Sunday school teacher and served in whatever position she was needed. She will be remembered for her cards and letters of encouragement to those who needed a word of comfort. She took care of her parents with love and respect; no one could have asked for a more loving or loved daughter.

Dana is survived by her parents, Buddy and Darlene Riche, of Doyle. Her brother, Randy Riche, and sister-in-law, Lisa Riche, of Sacramento, Calif.; uncle, Gene Shafer and wife Esmerelda; cousin, Kimberly, of Kingsburg, Calif.; and her grandmother, Louise Riche. She is also survived by numerous uncles, aunts and cousins in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Reverend James Moore officiated, memorial service Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the Doyle Senior Citizen building, which was followed by a potluck dinner.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in Dana's memory to: The Doyle Christian Church Building Fund, PO Box 221, Doyle, CA 96109. Contributions are tax deductible.