Joycelyn Marie McClellen 
July 8, 1933 - June 12, 2026

Joycelyn “Joyce” McClellen, age 92, passed quietly on June 12, 2026. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, John E. McClellen. She is survived by her three sons, Jerry (Lilian), John (Joanne), and Jeff (James), three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

    Joyce was born in Honolulu on July 8, 1933, the daughter of Marie Sweet and Earl T. Jones. As a Navy “brat,” she lived on both coasts before her family settled in Healdsburg, California. Later, she moved to Moraga to raise her own family, the same area her maternal grandparents farmed and ranched in the late 1800s.

    Joyce met her future husband, John, while attending a semi-pro baseball game in Santa Rosa. She recalled watching from the bleachers as he caught a fly ball then smiled in her direction, commencing a love story that continued 64 years until John’s death in 2019.

    Joyce graduated with a degree in education from San Jose State, and earned a Master’s of Education from St. Mary’s College. Over a 30-year career, she taught both in the regular classroom and as a reading specialist, helping to establish Moraga School District’s special education program.
 
    Joyce was an accomplished gardener, specializing in formal rose cultivation. Her backyard became an oasis, a place to relax and enjoy her family. She served as an officer of Moraga Garden Club, organizing Garden Study, and arranging the group’s monthly speakers. She loved animals too, adopting cats through ARF and volunteering at the Alexander Lindsey Wildlife Museum. To keep fit, she played tennis, walked and swam.

     Joyce leaves us with memories of a life well-lived.  She will be missed dearly.

    Donations can be made to:
The Moraga Garden Club, P.O. Box 6062, Moraga, CA 94570-6062

 

Ruth Harrington 
Sept. 30, 1933 - May 29, 2026

Ruth Harrington, of Moraga, California, passed away peacefully at her home in Walnut Creek, California on May 29, 2026.

    Ruth was born on Sept. 30, 1933 in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Ruth graduated from Towanda High School in 1951 and worked as a secretary in the County Commissioners Office in Towanda.  Ruth married Thomas Harrington on July 17, 1954.  Ruth and Tom lived in both Pennsylvania and California until settling in Moraga in 1969.

    Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom Harrington, in 1996 and her son, Sean, in 2015.  She is survived by her sons, Barry and Brian; her grandchildren, Dustin, Jason, Josh and Sara, and her great-grandchildren Christopher, Ashley, and Abby.  Ruth also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who she always made a point of staying in touch with and remembering their birthdays. 
 
    Faith was the foundation of Ruth's life. As a devoted member of St. Stephen's Church, she dedicated countless hours to the widow's support group, the Altar Guild, and many other church ministries. Her dependability and servant's heart made her a valued member of the congregation and a friend to many.

    A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Stephen's Church, 66 St. Stephen’s Drive in Orinda on Saturday, July 18 at 1 p.m.  

    A live stream will be available by contacting Harrington93033@gmail.com