Merna Elizabeth Totten of Watsonville died on July 25 surrounded by her children. She was 96.
Born in San Francisco Nov. 11, 1922, Mrs. Totten lived in Aromas until 1955, when she moved to Watsonville for the remainder of her life.
She attended Aromas Grammar School and Watsonville High School. She married Clarence Totten on Feb. 1, 1941.
Mrs. Totten was an avid homemaker who enjoyed canning and making homemade jams and jellies from her fruit trees and vegetable gardens. She loved working in her rose garden and rock garden. She was a volunteer at the Well Baby Clinic and the YWCA Thrift Store. She also knitted caps for preemie babies at the Watsonville Hospital and for the SMART program in Klamath Falls, Ore.
Mrs. Totten is survived by her daughter Linda Goodwin, daughter Diane (Tom) Loney and son Thomas (Cynthia) Totten, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 101 Madison Street in Watsonville. A reception will follow at the church hall.
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to Heartland Hospice or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted in the care of The Carroll Family of Ave Maria Memorial Chapel, www.avemariamemorialchapel.com.
