Chapel by the Sea

03/05/2026

John Fremont passed away on February 7, 2026, at Adventist Hospital in Fort Bragg following a brief illness and emergency surgery. He is survived by his wife and lifelong love, Cynthia Frank; his sons, Anthony Frank-Fremont and Mark Wallace; his sisters, Judy Daddona and Arlene Cash; and his brother Lester Friedmann.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, John pursued his education at Brooklyn College (CUNY), Columbia University, and UC Berkeley. A passionate activist from an early age, he actively opposed the Vietnam War and demonstrated alongside Yippie leaders Abbie Hoffman, Paul Krassner, and Jerry Rubin. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and served as a Freedom Rider, participating in sit-ins at lunch counters throughout the South. In the late 1960s, John was a committed voice in the men's movement in Berkeley. He later joined the Peace Corps, serving two years in Malaysia where he taught English as a second language and logic in the law faculty at the University of Kuala Lumpur.

After John returned home and he and Cynthia married, the couple founded Cypress House, an award-winning publishing company and consulting firm dedicated to nurturing authors and independent publishers nationwide. John was a prolific author, essayist, editor, and publisher, and throughout his life he remained a tireless advocate for the causes he believed in.

In Mendocino County, John cofounded the local chapter of Amnesty International, the Mendocino Festival of Books, the Peace and Justice Center, and Occupy Mendocino. He served on the local board of United Way, sat on the Mendocino County Grand Jury, and worked as a Parent Advocate with the Children's System of Care at the County Department of Mental Health. He also lent his energy to numerous other progressive organizations whose missions center on the common good, peace, and global justice. In 2019, in recognition of his decades of dedication, Occupy Mendocino named John the recipient of its International Peace Day Award.

John will be remembered as a loyal friend, advisor, and confidant to all who knew him. Known and loved for his generosity and quick wit, he also offered help whenever it was needed, never shirked a conflict, and spoke up when speaking up was called for.

John's life celebration will be held at the Caspar Community Center on Sunday, May 24, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.

02/27/2026

Obituary For Jayson Richards Jones
Jayson Richards Jones, born September 12 1977, joined his mother and father Karen Forward and Dennis Dean Jones in the afterlife on February 9th 2026. Also waiting on Jayson, was his Grandma Rae and Grandpa Ben Allenby. Jayson is survived by his two daughters Erica Jones, Karin Jones, and his sister Keagan. His Aunt and Uncle Pam and George Furtado. His Aunt and Uncle Marty and Robin Wilder and his Aunt and Uncle Dana and Maria Wilder. As well as his Aunt Dana Jones. Jason has lot's of cousins that miss the hell out of him already, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jason will be missed by his high school crew, pool and dart league crew, and all the rest of us who loved him so dearly.

Jayson had a kind soul, a beautiful smile and a great sense of humor. Jayson lived life on his terms, and was a loyal friend. On Mothers day he would bring a single rose to the mothers in his life. On Veteran's Day he would go to the cemetery and place flags on Veterans Memorial headstones. Jayson loved playing golf, pool, darts, loved to bowl, but most of all, he loved his music loud, and having a good time. He loved the SF Giants and 49ers. Jayson loved to go to Ten Mile beach, and connecting with nature. He enjoyed all these things with his love Schelagh Mayhan .

A celebration of life will be held March 1st at his favorite watering hole Milanos from 11 in the afternoon until its over.

If you have any pictures of Jayson or a great story, please bring them.

02/27/2026

Jahna Michaelsen (“Jahna Banana”)

Jahna Michaelsen, known as “Jahna Banana,” passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 64 in Fort Bragg, California.

Jahna was born in California to Liz and Ken Michaelsen, both of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah (m. Austin) Nave, her sisters Renee Michaelsen, Nicole Scott and Michelle Michaelsen, and her brother Jon Michaelsen. Her MANY nieces and nephews and, her beloved granddaughters Charlotte, Alice, and Sophie Schaefer-Walton, who brought her monumental pride and joy.

Jahna proudly served in the United States Navy from 1979 to 1983, where her dedication and work ethic earned her Sailor of the Month honors on multiple occasions. After her service, and becoming a mom, Jahna joined the corporate world at Apple Computer. On the verge of the dot com boom, Apple was quickly making a name for itself and Jahna thrived there, along with a rewarding career, she made lifelong friends. Coming from a long line of artists, Jahna was an artist, herself in every sense of the word. She wrote and produced music, crafted handmade jewelry and clothing, and incorporated glitter into nearly everything she created. She truly brought sparkle and shine wherever she went.

Jahna was also an active volunteer with Soroptimist International, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through programs that support social and economic empowerment. She believed deeply in helping others and in lifting up the people around her.

Jahna will be remembered for her warmth, humor, creativity, and unmistakable spirit. She had a way of making people feel seen and welcomed, and her kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Her family finds comfort in knowing her light continues through the lives she touched and the love she shared. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday March 21st 2026, at Chapel By The Sea in Fort Bragg, Ca. Please join us. Reception to follow.

02/26/2026

Kyle Andrew Thompson

Born 11/27/88; died on February 20, 2026, in Fort Bragg, CA.

He grew up playing baseball, motocross racing, wake boarding and camping. He was sensitive, creative and kind. Kyle was most at home in the woods; he hunted mushrooms, picked berries, walked and rode his bikes and motorcycles on the many backroads and trails. Kyle related to God especially in nature. Kyle worked as a commercial fisherman—he loved being on the ocean. Mostly he did tree work. He was a climber and a faller and took great pride in that. He was born with a chainsaw in his hand and a hardhat on his head!

Kyle was preceded in death by his father Mark Andrew Thompson, grandmother Beverly Thompson Poe; and his grandfather, James Reynolds. He is survived by his mother, Michelle Braga, step-father Joe Braga; his sister Mia Braga; grandmother Ilah Reynolds; numerous aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

Services will be held at Chapel by the Sea at 11AM Graveside to follow at Rose Memorial Park on Friday the 27th

02/24/2026

Alice Wingwall (1935–2026)

Sculptor, Photographer, Poet, and Visionary of the Unseen
Alice Wingwall, a multidisciplinary artist best known for her profound ability to "see" through her art long after losing her physical sight to retinitis pigmentosa, died peacefully in her home on February 13, 2026.
Born in Indianapolis and raised in Zionsville, Indiana, Alice graduated from Indiana University and obtained her Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from University of California, Berkeley. Alice founded the Sculpture program and served as Director of the Studio Arts program as a Professor at Wellesley College. Sculpture was Alice’s earlier career focus, and she later moved into photography as her primary studio practice.
Alice was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa as a young woman and experienced a progressive loss of vision over her career. A member of the Blind Photographer’s guild, Alice described her continued photography as “a radical choice, a political move. I was tired of people saying to me, ‘How can you take a photograph when you can’t see anything’? And I think they weren’t asking me, they were telling me – ‘How can you do this? It’s unthinkable.’ Well, I can do it. What I say to them is that the image starts in the brain.” Alice’s work has been exhibited at the Berkeley Art Museum, the San Francisco Exploratorium, the Oakland Art Museum, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and in public art installations at Brown University and University of Oregon. Alice was the subject of the award winning documentary Miss Blindsight: The Wingwall Auditions (2000), and was one of three artists featured in the 2015 documentary Shoulder the Lion.
Alice was a remarkably strong, curious, and passionate woman who defied expectations about who she should be and what she could do. Music was deeply important to her and her home was almost never without the sound of classical and other music. She served for many years as a board member for the Kronos Quartet and loved attending concerts of all kinds throughout the Bay Area.

Alice was known for her love of all shades of red, orange, and pink, and in keeping with her independent spirit, frequently wore all three together. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Donlyn Lyndon, her sister Betsy Joyce, and brother Bill Atkinson, her three children and their spouses, Andrew (Leigh), Audrey (John), and Laura (Bridget), her five grandchildren, Nicholas, Isabel, Kenneth, Olive, and Ada, numerous nieces and nephews and her fourth guide dog, Buttercup. She was preceded in death by her sister Sally Hart.
The family will hold a private memorial on Saturday, March 21, with a public celebration of life to follow in the fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Guide Dogs for the Blind, Creative Growth, the Kronos Quartet, or the charity of your choice.

02/20/2026

Fred Hollenback passed away in January 21, 2026 at the age of 93. Celebrating of Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Bragg on April 11th

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02/19/2026

Armando Cecileo Quevedo Jr
4/18/1948 – 2/15/2026

We are sad to say we lost a really good man who put up a hard fight against not one, but two, aggressive
cancers. Somehow he still managed to maintain his warm smile and love for people through it all.
Armando was born April 18,1948, in San Francisco. He was raised by his father, Armando Sr., a Latin
percussionist, and his stepmother Naomi, who was also in the entertainment and music industry. They
managed, MC’ed and entertained at the once famous hot spot, The Sinaloa night club, in the heart of the
city. Having a diverse musical family had a profound impact on Armando as a youth. He himself went on
to be an accomplished drummer and percussionist of the 60’s era. He played with numerous popular
bands, as well as those who were up and coming.
In 1967 Armando met the love of his life, JoAnne Aasved, of Fort Bragg Ca., while playing a gig. He had his
love of music and now the woman of his dreams, but something was missing. In 1968 JoAnne began
studying the Bible. She shared her excitement about learning God's name and the wonderful promises
she discovered through her studies. Despite growing up in a multi-religious house Armando had never
heard God's name. He was overjoyed to learn that God’s name is Jehovah and began studying the Bible
along with JoAnne. They found what they were missing; a genuine hope with a real future to be brought
about by God’s Kingdom. They were married May 10,1969. A year later, on May 9,1970, they were both
baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses and stayed busy sharing that hope with others. To their excitement,
some of Armando’s closest friends and bandmates began studying the Bible and also became Jehovah’s
Witnesses.
In 1971 they expanded their family with the birth of their son Justin. And two years later their daughter,
Lorren was born. Armando was industrious, he truly felt there was no job beneath him. He often said,
“Any job worth doing, was worth doing well.” This attitude was one Armando always carried. He did a
variety of jobs, whatever was necessary to support his family. After a few years in North Dakota, Armando
and JoAnne returned to Fort Bragg in 1973 where he entered the timber business becoming a faller. In
1976 he started his own business, Superior Pump Service. After long mornings in the woods he would
work afternoons and evenings building up his new business. He was proud of his new business and
happy to see it is still going strong today, as Superior Pump & Drilling Inc. However, his focus never
drifted from what made him happy, sharing Bible truths with others. In fact, as you read this you may
yourself remember a time he shared these Bible truths with you.
We want to express our gratitude to all the medical professionals who cared for Armando. To our local
Adventist Intensive Care Team, your genuine care and professionalism were felt and appreciated. To our
UCSF teams and support, thank you for getting him well enough to come home. And a huge expression of
gratitude to our local hospice nurses, Haylee and Andrea, along with DeeDee. We could not have
enjoyed as much time with him without your care and guidance. You rendered him, and us, an invaluable
service. Thank you.
Armando is survived by his wife of 56 years, JoAnne Quevedo. Son Justin (wife Carey). Daughter Lorren
Johnson (husband Loren). His four grandchildren, Sierra Barmettler (husband Mitchel), Chase Johnson,
Elliot Quevedo, Kobi Quevedo. Along with many extended family members and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held at Caspar Community Center on March 7, 2026, at 3:00pm

02/19/2026

Joseph Herman Smith, born in Boston in 1947 to parents Melvin and Faye Smith, died on February 16, 2026 at home, on the eve of Year of the Fire Horse. Joe lived a vibrant, quixotic, and playful life, criss-crossing the globe, learning multiple languages, and making friends wherever he went. He spent the last 41 years on the Coast, where he was a fixture on the poetry scene, a volunteer at the State of the Ark, and a frequent flier at the Botanical Gardens.
In childhood, Melvin and Faye's military service took Joe to Berlin, Germany, Japan, and numerous other locales. That wandering spirit never left him, whether he was herding goats in Greece or visiting friends in Bali. While many in the community may remember him as an English professor, he also tended bar at the Old Coast Hotel, worked as a choker setter in Oregon, and had a myriad of other jobs, always in pursuit of the next great adventure. He held a Bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and a Masters in English from the University of Oregon.
Joe loved reading, extremely syncopated jazz, and deep philosophical conversations with his children, friends, and correspondents. He was also a prolific poet and short story writer with a colorful style that matched his sometimes puckish personality. Joe was a deeply empathetic and caring man and in his honor, the family recommends performing a small act of kindness whether for a friend or stranger to carrry his memory forward.
Joe is survived by his children, Eliza Brooks Lindsay, Cary Littlefield, and Simon Smith, along with his sisters Pamela and Cookie and their extended family. The family will be hosting a poetry reading and celebration of life in the coming months. σ'αγαπώ, Joe; we'll see you on the other side.

02/18/2026

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Chapel by the Sea.