Electronically Preserving Obituaries as Cultural Heritage

by ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM

EPOCH is a depository of information that will be held for future generations of researchers and genealogists. Family and friends of the deceased can submit detailed obituaries as a tribute to their loved ones, and in doing so help build a meaningful history of the residents of the community.

Latest Tributes

Anskje (Ann) Tanna

Anskje Tanna in Nursing Uniform

Anskje Tanna (née Boonstra) was born on November. 12,1934, in Huizum, Leeuwardedeel, the Netherlands, the daughter of Oege Boonstra—who worked for the Netherlands railroads—and Cornelisje Schotanus, a doctor’s assistant. She contracted tuberculosis as a child and spent much time out of school and in bed where she developed a love of reading and music. Anskje lived in the Netherlands during World War 2 and passed notes to Jewish prisoners at a labor camp.

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Phyllis Helen Saraf Tabakian McShane

Phyllis Helen Saraf, the first child of Mary Gannam and George Saraf, was born in Savannah, Georgia on April 1, 1929.

Phyllis attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and St. Vincent's Academy, graduating in 1947. Phyllis was an excellent student and maintained an "A" average throughout her school years. Articles in the Southern Cross (attached below) reporting on contests and scholarships awarded, affirm her writing skills, intelligence and diligence.

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Shelley Scritchfield

Shelley E. Scritchfield passed away Saturday, October 12, 2019 in Kissimmee, Florida at the age of 48. She was surrounded be her family as she went to her eternal home.

Born July 6, 1971 in East Liverpool, Ohio, Shelley was the daughter of the late James and Hazel (Jones) Scritchfield. After spending most of her life in Ohio and West Virginia, she moved to Orlando, Florida to spend her life with family and friends.

Along with her parents, she joins her sisters, Loretta Coleman and Donna Bosworth, and a brother, Jimmy Scritchfield, in eternal peace.

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Daniel (Danny) Gomez

Danny Gomez

Daniel Gomez, 73, sadly passed on Sunday, November 14, after a short illness. He was a buyer for Praxair Distribution before retirement.
He was predeceased by his beloved mother, Adelia (Cuchie) Davila, stepfather Cesar (Macho) Davila, and father Manuel Gomez. He is survived by his wife Kristina, daughter Heather, stepdaughters Vanessa and Tiffany, grandchildren Karli Jade, Kameron, Ava, Chloe, and Isla, his sister Denise, and brother Bobby.
He was an avid NASCAR fan and frequent visitor to the WDW parks wearing his favorite character’s attire: Grumpy.

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Lea Collins

Lea Jean George Collins was born in February of 1949 in Memphis, TN.

She married George L Collins right out of high school when she turned 18. He joined the US Air Force and they lived in England during their first few years of marriage where they gave birth to their daughter Laura Christine Collins.

After returning to the north Mississippi area they then gave birth to their son, Matthew Collins in 1982. In 1987 they moved to Florida where they were married for 45 years until George passed away in 2013.

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Edward Martinez

Edward Martinez

Rev. Edward Martinez, 70, of Orlando, FL was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He went to Bible College in Puerto Rico, then moved to Miami before establishing his family and ministry in Orlando, FL giving 47 years of service to his community as a Pastor, reaching out and making an impact on people's lives, creating youth and children's programs to help them live better lives, teaching and counseling couples, and preparing leaders for the ministry. After a full life of ministry with the Assemblies of God, Rev.

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