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UPDATE: Services Held Today for Healdsburg Women Killed In Motor Home Fire

Last Wednesday's fire took the life of 70-year-old Juanita Frances Lownes.

Note: This story was updated on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012.

UPDATE: Funeral services were held today for Juanita Frances Lownes, who died last week in a fire in her motor home north of Healdsburg.

According to an obituary published in the Press Democrat, Lowes was affectionately known by the nickname "Punky" by friends and family.

To read the obituary, click here.

PREVIOUSLY:

By Bay City News Service

The Sonoma County coroner's office has identified a woman who was found dead after a fire in her Healdsburg motor home last week as 70-year-old Juanita Frances Lownes.

The fire was reported in the 2200 block of Westside Road at about 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, Lt. Steve Brown said. After firefighters extinguished the flames, a body was found in a bed in the rear of the motor home, which was next to the main house on the property and was being used as a living space, Brown said.

Lownes was pronounced dead at 9:54 a.m. Her death is not considered suspicious, according to the coroner's office.but the coroner's office is still awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

Healdsburg Fire Marshal Linda Collister said that the fire is being investigated as an accidental blaze.

"They are looking at a three-point origin," Collister said Monday.

One of the three possible points of origin is toward the front engine compartment, she said.

"The vehicle had not been driven in over a year," Collister said. "It was being converted into a motor home."

Lownes was surrounded by family members on the property, according to Collister. Her son and his wife lived in the main house, and other family members were close by, she said.

Collister and Healdsburg Fire Engineer Ruben Mandujaro are consulting on the investigation, which is being led by Sonoma County Fire Capt. Steve Maciurchak. Healdsburg was first on the scene Wednesday, but the property is located in unincorporated Sonoma County.

Funeral information was not available on Monday.

---Healdsburg Patch Editor Keri Brenner contributed to this story.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Kevin J. McCann April 20, 2013 at 02:15 pm
Although I received your invitation notice in the morning I was unable to attend because of plannedRead More activities. However, I think it's a good idea for you to do and thanks for initiative. The Patch could be a good idea however, for me, in addition to local community events and activities the articles have to offer objectivity. If you have a political and/or ideological scant I would discontinue to be a reader and thus not a contributor or letter writer. I think open discussion is good and that conflict is good as it could be about positive change however, I have many too many activities to occupy my time. 1. My question to you is as the editor what is your vision for Patch and at this point what is your plan to accomplish that vision. Societies large and small are looking for people with vision and mission. I am not suggesting you write your vision because the readership will see it soon enough. 2.What is Patch really? 3. What is the criteria to inspire you to write an editorial? 4. What makes Patch different from the other online newspapers? Christian, I would suggest that you encourage discourse but set up a few basic ground rules. I prefer that all communication be courteous and civil but being comfortably edgy is OK. You should reserve to right to pull any vindictive commentary/communication. How about a section or column with interviews with people who are doing interesting things outside the realm of Healdsburg events. Good luck!
zoe moire April 19, 2013 at 06:26 pm
A. Did not know about your "event" B. This article is more about the one person that didRead More show up - good advertising.....? C. Agree, news comes in very late and an editor needs to be on TOP of what's going on in this town ... everything from school events to Garden Club happenings. D. Mike McGuire typically posts after an event / or during -= around Sonoma Co. with pictures ... this is not so bad because it is usually a specific group he is working with, however, I think he also does a good job of "...hope to see you there..." - I don't see that on the Patch any longer. E. When questions are asked like (paraphrase): "Wow, breezy out there. Anyone see any trees down?" It is rather like the Patch editor has not been outside looking about - why not comment on a few things and then ask the readers. F. Most of the questions have been boring... but, if reporting is done first, then people would likely be more inclined to even open an article and take a peek. My 6 cents. Z
Mr. Joe April 7, 2013 at 04:19 pm
I find this often with the people over at the Healdsburg patch. Yes, you are right Christian we haveRead More plenty of sandwich places but come on! its our job as locals to be supportive of new business in healdsburg. They're investing in our tiny closknit town. Togos might be a franchise but what about that place called partake? Just another wine tasting room. I don't see an article about them listing all the other random tasting rooms it's competing with. I don't worry The Healdsburg patch has such little following in town anyway, they should just stick to recycling old articles from the Press Democrat. Thank you Healdsburg Patch for wasting our time. Yours truly the healdsburg local
Marilyn's worst nightmare April 5, 2013 at 01:11 am
Marilyn, read the article again...the article clearly states the business is not needed. So please,Read More lighten up, reread the article and form a clear argument for why you are upset. This article was well researched and simply showed there is no need for yet another sandwich shop.
Marilyn April 5, 2013 at 01:03 am
Christian, you were RUDE. Is that the way to welcome a new business to Healdsburg? You tell us toRead More lighten up???