Catherine Murray
Dec 10, 1952 - May 09, 2025
Catherine Anne (Olinzock) Murray of Reno, Nevada passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025 at age 72. Cathy (Cat) was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to Mathilda and Adam Olinzock. She was the younger sister of David Olinzock and Doris (Olinzock) Cole. She grew up in the small town of Star Junction and graduated from Frazier High School. In 1974 she moved to Reno with her dear friend Debbie. She worked a variety of jobs, making new friends along the way and living life. She enjoyed talent shows like The Voice, music, concerts, Bingo, Trader Joes ice cream, dancing a polka, and walking along the Truckee River. She was frugal and loved finding a bargain at thrift stores; she drove her trusty Subaru for almost twenty years. She loved all pets – her own and those whom she pet sat. She was a loving sister, cousin, aunt, step mother, godmother, and for a short time a mother to baby Jessica. But perhaps most of all she was a friend to everyone, always ready with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes. Her family would like to thank the many people that rallied to Cathy in these last tough years. Her friends shopped for her, took her to doctors’ appointments, visited with her, helped her move twice, and provided invaluable emotional support along the way. Her friends from Center for Spiritual Living provided spiritual support to Cathy, especially near the end with beautiful prayers and singing. Special thanks to her friend Jacquelyn for coaching her and us. Her family also extends its sincere thanks to both Brookdale Vista and Eden Hospice, who took wonderful care of her and assisted her with her transition. In Cathy’s memory, wear your Birkenstocks, play your favorite music, and enjoy some ice cream.
Joan Dees
Jan 24, 1950 - May 02, 2025
As the sun set on May 2, 2025, at her home in Reno, Joan Dees passed peacefully away in the arms of her husband Robert. When diagnosed with colon cancer, Joan faced her illness with courage and grace during her remaining days. She was able to have many heartfelt conversations with family and friends, reminiscing about their time together. Joan was born January 24, 1950, in Hannibal, Missouri, the daughter of Pete and Rose Hays. Joan grew up on the family farm near Monroe City, Missouri, with her sister and four brothers. Joan was proud of growing up on the family farm around a large family, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Joan's work ethics were rooted in her Midwest upbringing. Joan wanted to see the world and knew education was the key. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from William Jewel College in Liberty MO., while working full time. Upon graduation in 1978, Joan saw an opportunity to see a different part of the country and accepted an accounting position with the J C Penney Distribution Center in Stead Nevada. There she met Robert, fell in love with him and the west, and lived in Reno until her passing. Joan's accounting skills brought her to the Airport Authority of Washoe County, retiring as Chief Financial Officer after 28 years of service. Joan was active in the Reno Community, serving on the boards of various organizations. Joan was committed to furthering the advancement of women through education. She served on the Board of Directors of the Nevada Women's Fund for many years, serving as Board Chair for a term. She was twice recognized as a Women of Achievement by the Nevada Women's Fund. Joan also served on the boards of the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Humane Society of Washoe County. Joan enjoyed the theater and was a season ticket holder off Broadway comes to Reno at the Pioneer Center, member of the Nevada Museum of Art, and an active member of the Reno Elks Club. Joan will be remembered by her friends and coworkers for her kindness, professionalism and positive energy she brought to every part of her life. Joan lived life to the fullest, finding joy in all things. She and Robert enjoyed many camping trips in the Western U.S. with friends, as well as extensive international travel. Joan and Robert are among the few who flew on the Concorde from Reno to Paris in 1993. Joan is survived by Robert, her husband of 46 years, her sister and four brothers in Missouri, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and the friends she considered family. Joan will be interred in the family plot in the Holy Rosary Cemetery in Monroe City, Missouri. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in Reno later. In keeping with her focus on helping women further their education, Joan had established an endowed scholarship in her name with the Nevada Women’s Fund of Northern Nevada. Donations in remembrance of Joan can be sent to Nevada Women’s Fund of Northern Nevada, 770 Smith ridge Drive, Suite 300, Reno, Nevada 89502. Please designate that donations should be credited to the Joan Dees Endowed Scholarship.
Macrina Balbas Cruz
Jan 14, 1963 - Apr 30, 2025
Macrina Balbas Cruz, 62, of Reno, NV, passed away on April 30, 2025 in her home of 20 years. Macrina, born on January 14, 1963 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, Philippines to Lorenzo and Erlinda Balbas, grew up with 2 sisters, Monica and Lorelyn. She attended Gabut Elementary, Juan Luna Memorial Academy, and Philippine School of Business Administration, majoring in accounting. She met her husband, Ferdinand Cruz, the love of her life, in 1985, and they were married on March 30, 1987. On January 8, 1989, their son, Karlo was born. Macrina and her family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in July of 1989 where they lived for 6 years before moving to Reno, Nevada in 1996. Macrina, a true homemaker, was industrious since she was a young girl, and continuously worked to help provide the life she wanted for her family. Although she had only one child, she was a mother figure to many, relatives and friends alike. Her generosity reached across the globe from the Philippines to the states. She was a devout Christian and avidly lived her life for the glory of God. She was a founding member of First Fil-Am Baptist Church serving in the Finance Department and Praise Team until her passing. In 2017, her son married Veronica. They bore Macrina’s grandson, Isaac, who she adored. He lit up her days and invoked endless joy in her last few years. Isaac, his name meaning “laughter,” brought out Macrina’s unforgettable, hearty laugh that her friends and family will forever remember. She is utterly loved and deeply missed. Macrina is survived by her husband of 38 years, Ferdinand, their loving son, Karlo, and cherished grandson, Isaac. Her celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church of Sparks on Thursday, May 15th, 2025 at 3pm.
Malcolm David Bacchus
Apr 05, 1944 - Apr 26, 2025
Malcolm D. Bacchus, loving son of Assyrian Presbyterian minister and Fisher Body Plant foreman Melchizedek Z. Bacchus and Joan Aiwaz Bacchus, passed peacefully from this world into the eternal home that he knew awaited him. Born and raised in Flint, Michigan Mal loved Motown music and all things Detroit sports, both of which echoed throughout his home. He graduated from Flint Central High School, received his B.S. from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and matriculated from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Medical School. After his internship at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, Malcolm joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as Flight Surgeon at Andrews Air Force Base. He was honored to be on the flight that delivered Henry Kissinger to the Paris Peace Talks. Following his military service, he began his neurology residency at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he met his future wife of forty-five years, Kim Harper. With friend and colleague Dr. Charles Quaglieri, Malcolm established Reno Neurological Associates medical practice in Reno, Nevada in 1978, where he worked until he retired in 2019. Malcolm loved nothing so much as his family. He is survived by his wife Kim Bacchus, son Alex Bacchus, daughter Jessica (Bacchus) Cunningham, son-in-law Brent Cunningham, and granddaughters Claira, Kelsi, and Scarlett Cunningham. Friends are invited to say farewell to Mal at Walton’s Ross, Burke & Knobel located at 2155 Kietzke Lane, Reno, on Thursday May 22, from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. A celebration of Malcolm’s life will be held at a future date.
Marleen Green
May 11, 1936 - Apr 23, 2025
Marleen Green of Brookline, Massachusetts and Reno, Nevada passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 23rd, just a few weeks shy of her 89th birthday. Born the second daughter of Polish and Moldovan immigrants, Marleen and her sister Cynthia grew up on Seaver Street in Dorchester, with Marleen staying in and around Boston most of her life. Along with her husband, Marleen raised daughter Tracey and son Howard in South Brookline, where she began a trailblazing career in 1974 as the first female Little League manager in Brookline Youth Baseball’s history. She loved coaching a motley group of South Brookline kids (think Bad News Bears) and her lifelong love of the Red Sox and Patriots kept her happy through bad times (before Big Papi and Brady) and into the great times in the 2000’s… with one of her happiest moments coming in the fall of 2004 when she placed a Red Sox World Series winning pennant at the grave of her dear Uncle Sam. Marleen loved her grandkids Grace, Teagan and Brooke, and especially delighted in being called “Grandma Barbie” because she was always so fashionable. Marleen was happiest when she was with the various dogs in her life (ChiChi, Chibby, Julie, Bentley, Hank, and the many Minnesota Vizslas) and always celebrated being with one or more of the pups. Marleen also loved gambling… especially blackjack. Marleen lit up when she doubled down on elevens or split aces in Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Hinckley and Reno, and won way more than she lost. Even as her light began to dim, Marleen could still count to 21. Mah-leen relished life and sprinkled her daily communications with words like mahvelous, fabulous and terrific. Shopping was her true passion – she had a wardrobe worth tens of thousands of dollars for which she likely spent hundreds of dollars, filling her closets with Donna Karan dresses, Gucci purses and Luis Vuitton bags all found in Filene’s Basement (“the Basement”), Marshalls or TJ Maxx as well as a shoe collection (all with heels) that Imelda Marcos would have coveted. Even as her health faded, Marleen always looked put together with outfits and jewelry found in the discount stores and her hair tinged in purple. Marleen had countless friends in Brookline – we called her the mayor because everyone knew her, and she knew everyone. She was on the meal plan at Legal Seafoods in Chestnut Hill and Finagle-a-Bagel on Route 9 and loved summering in Nantasket Beach in the 70’s and 80’s, and in Edgartown and Menemsha on Martha’s Vineyard through the 90’s and 2000’s with her longtime boyfriend after her divorce. Marleen spent the final five years of her life in Reno where Tracey, her husband Brian, daughter Grace, great grandsons Jasper & Gabe, and best friend Colleen showered her with love, sushi, and Sundays together. These final years brought Marleen so much joy with Tracey anchoring Marleen’s world with endless amounts of love and sweet memories. To her granddaughter Grace, she was ‘Grandma Barbie’, with impeccable style in her sky-high heels and her shiny gold bangles that clinked as she moved through any room - guaranteed to be noticed by everyone (especially by the men). She was notoriously envied by the other grandmas during elementary school Mother’s Day teas, who couldn’t quite compete with her glamour. She was a charming, head-turning, football-loving, poker- playing, deal-snagging fashionista of a grandma who will be missed dearly by all who loved her, and by those who were just a little bit jealous of her. Marleen often hosted Howard’s daughters Brooke and Teagan in South Brookline with everyone crawling into her California king bed to watch TV and laugh about “the enclosures”, Marleen’s bizarre collection of knick-knacks found in the discount stores which she sent to the girls at summer camp. The whole bunk would marvel at the kooky stuff “Grandma Marleen” sent. Marleen was a sharp lady – brimming with confidence throughout her life. One of her favorite mottos was “Be sorry you did, don’t be sorry you didn’t.” And she certainly lived that way. Mum – thank you for always being such a bright light for us. Your down card will always be a face card… we love you forever mamacita.