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Obituaries

Derith Coonan

Derith Coonan Middleton of Woodside died March 22 at the age of 88.

Ms. Coonan grew up San Francisco. In her early teens, she and her sister, Janet, were enrolled at a school near Geneva, Switzerland. Very few people spoke English and the classes were taught in German, a language that neither spoke. It was a testament to their strong wills that they both overcame these challenges at such a young age, say family members.

In 1945 she married Terrace Coonan, a friend since childhood. The couple moved to San Mateo, then to Woodside, raising their four children. The Coonans traveled extensively in Europe until his death in 1985.

In 1993 Ms. Coonan married Arthur Middleton, whom she had also known since childhood. They explored the world together with many trips and their two families melded with frequent visits to their home in Woodside.

Ms. Coonan had a lifelong love of gardening, painting, and flower arranging. She was active in the Junior League, Coyote Point Museum, and Filoli. She was a member of the Town and Country Club in San Francisco and the Menlo Country Club.

She is survived by her children, Bruce Coonan, Kevin Kennedy Coonan, Sarah Coonan Hart, and Terence Michael Coonan; sister Janet Wentworth; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Sally Belton

Sally Shepard Belton, a resident of Menlo Park for the past 12 years, died of cancer April 16 with her family by her side. She was 81.

Ms. Belton was born in Alameda and graduated from UC Berkeley, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She remained loyal to her Cal affiliation throughout her life, enjoying Big Game tailgates and lifelong friends, say family members.

After her marriage to Herbert A. Belton, she lived in Mill Valley, where she dedicated herself to raising four children. The family later moved to Atherton.

In 1981, the Beltons retired to Sun Valley, Idaho, where she enjoyed working at the local shops, particularly a children's store, Duck Soup.

A resident of Menlo Park since 2000, Ms. Belton will be remembered for her strength of spirit, sharp wit, impeccable taste and sense of style, say family members. She enjoyed entertaining, traveling, and playing bridge throughout her life.

She is survived by her children Janet Belton, Stacey B. Rutherford, Mark Belton, and Logan Belton; brother Doug Shepard; and five grandchildren.

Her life will be celebrated July 13 in Sun Valley. Donations may be made to VITAS Hospice Charitable Fund, 670 McCarthy Blvd., Suite 220, Milpitas, CA 95035 www.vitascharityfund.org.