Lambert

George Lea Lambert, 74, of Los Gatos died on Aug. 19 after a prolonged illness.

He was born in St. Louis, Mo., to Donaldson and Lucy Lambert, the youngest of four sons. As a young businessman, Lambert moved to Dallas, Texas, where he met his future wife, Oretha Lambert, through a mix-up in the mail. In later years, the couple lived in Ventura, Calif., where they had their two children, Laura and George Jr., and then moved to Los Gatos, where he opened his own business, Lambert's Photography. He retired in the 1980s, and he and Rae traveled throughout the country. Two years ago, they moved to Santa Barbara.

In addition to immediate family, he is survived by his brother Kingman Lambert and his wife, Cindy; his brother Kendall Wyatt and his wife, Phyllis; his sister-in-law, Edie Lambert; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Baptist Church, 400 Puente Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. A memorial service was held on Aug. 28. Arrangements were handled by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels.

Poncato

Mary Poncato, 81, of Monte Sereno died on Aug. 14.

Poncato was raised in St. Helena. She volunteered many hours visiting the sick, old and lonely. She worked with the Italian Catholic Federation, and the Crippled Children's Society and volunteered at the Community Hospital of Los Gatos. These works led to the creation of a special award called "The Everyday Saint Award," which the ICF presented to her in September 2003 during a celebration mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Poncato is survived by her husband of 57 years, Renzo Poncato; her son, Dennis Poncato; her daughter, Donna Cuschieri; siblings Ve Menegon and Jean Bortolussi; six grandchildren; and many other friends, family and loved ones.

Darling and Fischer Chapel of the Hills in Los Gatos handled arrangements.