The Memorial Wall

Jennifer Fitzgerald Wilson passed away on April 4, 2023. She was fifty-one years old and died from complications associated with Parkinson’s. She passed away at her mother’s home in Palm Springs. She was born in Orange, California on October 5th, 1971.

Jennifer graduated from Palm Desert High School in 1990, the first graduating class of students who had attended all four years since the opening of the high school in 1986. She was always interested in fashion and even as a senior in high school she was managing the Benneton store previously located in what was known at that time as The Palm Desert Mall. She went on to manage three BCBG stores and also worked for Trina Turk in Palm Springs. Later on, she got involved in politics and volunteered for Democrats of the Desert as the volunteer coordinator and hosted their awards ceremonies, and then she won our local district election to go as a delegate to the 2012 DNC in Charlotte, North Carolina. During her involvement with The Democratic Party, she met Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, and at a fundraiser Sean Penn. 

She had a passion for travel and at the young age of 22 she went to Europe by herself and backpacked throughout Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Italy. She, along with her husband Neal, travelled extensively and in 2011 got married in lovely Positano, Italy on the Amalfi coast. 

Jennifer was an amazing cook and decorator and she and husband Neal shared a love of dogs.

But the most important aspect of Jennifer was her generous heart. She was a moral, ethical person. She was a beautiful soul both inside and out. She is survived by her husband Neal Wilson, her mother Donna Fitzgerald, her uncle William Fitzgerald, her step-sister Rozalynd McCree and step-father Robert McCree, and her half-sister Erin Viegas Coelho. She had many close friends who miss her terribly.

In closing I wish to include these lyrics from Leonard Cohen’s song Going Home:

Going home without my sorrow

Going home sometime tomorrow

Going home to where it’s better to where it’s better than before

Going home without my burden

Going home behind the curtain

Going home without the costume that I wore

Ana L. Schifano Beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on October 9, 2007, after a long battle with Parkinson disease. 

Ana was born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico on June 14, 1930. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Joseph; sons, Isadore (Lisa) and Joseph M. (Pam) and four very special grandchildren, Anthony and Adam, Stephanie, and Alyssa. Sister Eva Urruita, Monterey NL, Mexico and brother, Fr. Luis Alonso Saldamando, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. 

Ana brought sunshine into all the lives she touched, and she will be deeply missed by all who loved her. 

A very special thanks go out to all the staff and caregivers from Carondelet Hospice, Frances Care Home and Assisted Living and Dependable Health Services; all had provided outstanding love and care during those difficult months. 

Footprints:

One night I had a dream - -

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

And across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

One belonged to me, the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

There was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

And saddest time in my life.

This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

You would walk with me all the way,

But I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

There is only one set of footprints.

“I don’t understand why in times when I needed you most,

You should leave me.”

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child,

I love you and I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

“When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you.”

… Mary Stevenson

Mark Adams, the original bassist of doom metal legends Saint Vitus, has sadly died from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was sixty-four years old. Guitarist Dave Chandler commented on his former bandmate's passing with the following message:

"This is the hardest thing I've ever had to write. I found out last night. I can't say it out loud. I'm heartbroken to inform everyone that my best friend and co - founder of Saint Vitus Mark Adams has passed away. The details are vague, as I haven't actually spoken with the family yet. He left us May 23, 2023, peacefully in his sleep. I'm trying to contact anyone in the family to find out more.
Mark was the best person I've ever met. He was kind to everyone, even those who did him wrong. Never had a bad word to say about anyone. Always found the good in everything no matter how bad it was. A great guy to be around. Nothing will ever be the same.

"God bless you my dear friend. I love you."

Adams co-founded Saint Vitus in 1978 along with Chandler and drummer Armando Acosta, staying with the band throughout their first two runs, as well as the short return in 2003. He and Chandler would once again reform Saint Vitus in 2008, who has continued to perform to this day. In 2016, he stepped away from the band to deal with health issues, with his place being filled by Down and former Crowbar and Goatwhore bassist Pat Bruders, who would soon become his permanent replacement.

Mark Adams, bassist with U.S. doom legends Saint Vitus, has died, aged 64. Saint Vitus guitarist Dave Chandler announced the news in a statement on Facebook earlier today.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever had to write. I found out last night," he wrote. "I can't say it out loud. I'm heartbroken to inform everyone that my best friend and co - founder of SAINT VITUS Mark Adams has passed away. The details are vague, as I haven't actually spoken with the family yet. He left us May 23 2023 peacefully in his sleep. I'm trying to contact anyone in the family to find out more.

"Mark was the best person I've ever met. He was kind to everyone, even those who did him wrong. Never had a bad word to say about anyone. Always found the good in everything no matter how bad it was. A great guy to be around. Nothing will ever be the same.

"God bless you my dear friend. I love you

"Mark Anthony Adams. 1958 - 2023."

Mark had been absent from Saint Vitus live duties since 2016 , with former Crowbar/Down bassist Pat Bruders filling his shoes. In 2018, the band announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's and set up a fundraiser to help cover his medical and care bills.

Though an underground concern (especially in the ’80s), the impact Saint Vitus had cannot be overstated, most often noted as perhaps the most important doom metal band of all time after Black Sabbath. Originally formed of Mark, Dave Chandler, singer Scott Reagers and drummer Armando Acosta in 1978 as Tyrant (changing to Saint Vitus in 1981, and recruiting Scott 'Wino' Weinrich as singer in 1985), their name has become synonymous for metal that's slow, dirty, soulful, and able to say and convey vast amounts of emotion through a couple of notes and a distorted amp.

Early on, the band fell between scenes somewhat. Metal fans were often perplexed by their tempos and punk edge, not to mention an overall slacker, stoner vibe. Hardcore fans were only slightly better – the band did, at least, have a clutch of fast songs as well – but with the patronage of LA legends Black Flag, with whom they toured as well as covering their classic Thirsty And Miserable and releasing albums on guitarist Greg Ginn's SST label, they carved a line in the U.S. underground. Even when they were difficult to track down, their albums – particularly their self-titled debut, 1986's essential Born Too Late, 1990's V and 1995's Die Healing – became essential documents of a band who could conjure magic out of pure simplicity.

If you're after a couple of endorsees, as well as the entire doom scene, how do Dave Grohl, James Hetfield and Tobias Forge grab you? Orange Goblin singer Ben Ward is just one of the tousands of fans and musicians who have the band's logo tattooed on them. Electric Wizard modified it for their own ends in tribute. Look at the jacket of At The Gates singer Tomas Lindberg, and you'll see their patch sitting proudly on there, while former Cathedral frontman and owner of legendary label Rise Above Records, as well as the promoter of Vitus' first UK show in 1990, called him "a friendly, cool and mellow guy."

This is an apt description of the man and his music. Mark's basslines were simple, but devastatingly effective. Perfectly locking down the mournful pace of songs like the celebratory nihilistic crawl of Born Too Late, White Magic / Black Magic's groove, or the crushing misery of Dark World, his sparse motifs were the perfect foundation on which Dave's wild, violent, neck-bending lead work could run free. Onstage, while his six-stringed compatriot would bite the neck of his instrument and appear to actually be trying to break it as he played, Mark took a slower, steadier position at the back. It may not have looked like he was doing much, but you could absolutely hear him.

Kerrang!'s thoughts are with Mark's family, bandmates and friends.

Sharon Riff Ackerman, age 69, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2020, surrounded by the love of her family after bravely battling Parkinson’s Disease for 15 years.

She was born September 28, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York to Pauline and George Riff. She had two children with her former spouse Dr. Paul L. Ackerman.

Sharon graduated from Brooklyn College with her Master’s Degree in Education. She was a teacher for several years. She primarily dedicated her time to raising her sons.

Sharon moved to South Florida to be with her Mother Pauline and Sister Ellen.

 She led a life of care and positive spirit to anyone who she met. Her life revolved around her family and friends. She loved spending time with her sons. Every weekend she visited her son’s house for dinner and enjoyed watching her grandchildren play and grow.

Sharon loved her grandchildren and often brought them bubbles, coloring books, and educational toys every week. She was a mentor to her daughter-in-law. She was most proud of her children’s accomplishments.

Sharon in peace will join her Mother and Father, Pauline and George Riff.

Sharon is survived by her loving son George and his wife Grether, loving son Andrew, sister Ellen, and spouse Debbie, and their son Adam and his wife Stacey; dear friend Judy, Cousin Susan and her husband Russ, as well as cousins, Erica, Gale, and Matthew; her in-laws Joaquina and Elizabeth; plus her 3 loving grandchildren Brooke, Joshua, and Eli, as well as her great-niece Peri. All of these she touched deeply.

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Rouzie Adams on June 10th. Mary always found fun and happiness in her life. Born to Evelyn and Reverend Irwin C. Johnson in Detroit, Michigan in 1932, Mary was raised with faith and love. Her passing is preceded by her parents, her brother, David Johnson and her first, second and third husbands, W. Murray Fowler, George M. Holstein, III and John S. Rouzie.

Mary graduated from University Liggett School in Indian Village, MI in 1949. Prior to attending college, she loved teaching ballroom dance to children in Grosse Pointe, MI. In her young adult life, Mary successfully modeled, often being featured in the newspaper and was even a finalist as Mrs. Michigan in the Mrs. America Pageant. Mary pursued her degree in early childhood education from Stephens College in Columbia, MO and commenced in 1951 after which time she returned to Michigan to teach at her alma mater. It was after graduation that she married Murray Fowler and had three children together: David, Jeff, and Missy.

The family of five briefly moved to New Jersey and ultimately landed in Southern California in the late 60's. Mary often volunteered at the local hospitals where she lived and worked as a Membership Director for the Newport Beach Tennis Club. One of Mary's favorite passions was travel and she enjoyed many years of her life between homes in Newport Beach, Rancho Mirage, and Big Fork, Montana. Mary explored over 90 countries, often including her children and grandchildren, which awakened them to travel and the building of wonderful memories together as a family.

During one of these trips, Mary met and married her husband of nearly 20 years, Ray Adams. They cruised extensively together for many of their years of marriage. Mary was past President of the Palm Springs Pathfinders (Boys and Girls Club) and was active for many years at the Thunderbird Country Club, including the Birdettes. Mary played tennis and golf but found most of her enjoyment in entertaining her many friends and family members.

She is survived by her husband Ray, sister Elenore Tuttle, sons David Fowler and Jeff Fowler (Bib) and daughter Missy Alward. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Alex Alward, Lane Timian (Travis), Blaine Alward, Ian Fowler (Hillary) and Alden Burton Fowler, a great granddaughter, Blake Mary Timian, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary gave her last and most personal donation to the Neuropathy Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in the hope to aid in the understanding and development of a cure for Corticobasal Degeneration – the disease she bravely fought for the past six years. Mary's passing asks us to remember the extraordinary life that she generously shared with love and happiness to all those around and to always find the joy and love around us.