Santa Clara University

Lois Pahl Mitchell J.D. ’63 died May 14, 2012, in Sacramento, where she had lived for six years. She was born September 12, 1920, in Vernon Center, Minn., the second of William and Ella Pahl's three daughters. She went west to San Jose State College, where she earned her private pilot's license and met her future husband, Logue Leon Mitchell, in a civilian flight-training program. They married in 1941 at Winnipeg, Canada, where Logue was a pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force, prior to transferring to the US Army Air Corps. After the war, they returned to California to raise three sons, primarily in Santa Clara County. During this period, Lois attended Santa Clara University School of Law, where she was one of the first three women to graduate in 1963. She was executive director of the Santa Clara County Bar Association before starting her own practice. For the past 20 years, she and Logue have lived in either California or Tucson, AZ. Lois was preceded in death by her husband and is survived by her sisters, Shirley Maus and Lorraine Ramirez, and three sons: James, Bruce and Andrew Mitchell, their wives, eight grandchildren and one great grandson. A graveside service was held for Lois at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.

John Joseph Kiely '55, M.A. '63, a longtime teacher and counselor, and descendant of Santa Clara's prominent Kiely family, passed away Nov. 14 at his home in Los Gatos after a long battle with leukemia. He was 79.

One of nine children, he was born March 18, 1933, to grocer William P. and Elaine Kiely. The Kiely family originally left Ireland during the potato famine, then settled in Australia before immigrating to California.

He grew up in the family mansion on Homestead Road. Known today as the Kiely House, this circa-1889 Queen Anne Victorian is listed on historical tour guides of Santa Clara. In the 1950s, the home was used as a boardinghouse for students attending Bellarmine College Preparatory.

His father was a former mayor of Santa Clara, and Kiely Boulevard is named for him. His brother William P. Kiely Jr. '55 also served for years on the City Council.

After graduating from Bellarmine and Santa Clara University, Kiely embarked on a long teaching career. He taught English and drama at Santa Clara High School for 33 years. In 1992, he earned an MFCC (Marriage, Family and Child Counseling) license and launched a second career.

He was also involved with the Serra Club, a Catholic vocation group, St. Mary's Church and Holy Family's New Horizons program.

Kiely is survived by his wife of 17 years, Carole '71; his two children, Kate Kiely and Daniel Kiely '93: three stepdaughters, Melissa Burke, Julia Selfridge and Marya Ruiz; and three grandchildren, Henry, Freddy and Josie.

Fr. Gilbert Michael Chacon, S.J., ’63, age 73, passed away to receive his heavenly reward on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at St. Agnes Medical Center, Fresno.

Fr. Gilbert was born in Fresno,  Calif., one of 12 children born to Antonio and Evangeline Chacon, immigrants from Mexico. Fr. Gilbert was raised in Dos Palos, graduating from Dos Palos High School where he was Valedictorian of the Class of 1957. He later attended Ryan Preparatory College in Fresno, before entering Santa Clara University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1963. While at the University he felt the call to priestly life and entered the Congregation of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) with first vows in 1965. He later earned his Philosophy and Theology degrees from Collegium Maximum Christi Regis, in Mexico City. He was ordained a priest on June 15, 1973 in Los Angeles by Bishop Juan Arzube. He made his final vows as Jesuit in 1991.

During his priestly ministry Fr. Chacon was a teacher and served in parishes throughout California, Texas, Arizona and Mexico. In recent years he served in the Diocese of Fresno at various parishes. He was currently residing at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Fresno.

Fr. Gilbert is survived by his siblings; Raymond Ambriz of Quincy, Washington, Fr. Frank Chacon of Winslow Az, Tony Chacon of Los Angeles, Joe Chacon of Los Angeles, Olivia Marquez of Los Banos, Gertrude Thomas of Los Angeles, Thereza Sotelo of Hanford, Josephine Davison of Los Angeles, Ramona Chacon and Juanita Chacon both of Hayward, Calif. Also surviving Fr. Gilbert are numerous nieces and nephews including Fr. Angel Sotelo of Chowchilla and his brother Jesuit Priests.

Andrew Mark Crabtree MBA '63 of Issaquah, Wash., passed away in his home at University House on Dec. 12, 2011, with his family present. He was born Feb. 3, 1925. His final years were marked with numerous health problems, but throughout it all he maintained a cheerful and optimistic outlook on life. The love for his family, and by his family, instilled in him a very strong will to live, inspiring him to pursue new treatment options even the day before his death.

Born and raised in Kansas, the only child of Bessie and Arthur Crabtree, Mark was preceded in death by his infant son Mark and by his wife Ann Faup, the love of his life for 65 years. His three surviving children are Michele Cage and Shawn Crabtree, both of Issaquah, and Yolande Wackerman, of Menlo Park, Calif.; his eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His service in the United States Air Force and his civilian work as an industrial engineer brought him much personal satisfaction.