Lasting Memories

H. Louise Rockhold
Aug. 11, 1932-Dec. 22, 2023
Menlo Park, California

Louise was born in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, the daughter of William Andrew Jordan and Harriet Kamahana Likelike Ka’ahumanu Blake Jordan. With her older brother Willie, Louise grew up living around the world, as their father was a career U.S. Marine. From Virginia to Cuba to Northern California, the family returned to Mountain View, CA, when her father retired. Louise attended Mountain View High School, where she met the love of her life, Richard Orville Rockhold, Dick. They married in 1951 at Stanford Memorial Church, moved to San Francisco, and Louise worked at Shell Oil. With several friends, they opened a jazz bar, the “Sail’N”, and were part owners of the Lu Watters Jazz Band. Soon, they started their family, moved down to Redwood City, and then settled in Menlo Park in 1963.

With lifelong family friends, they tailgated at Stanford games and camped and waterskied at Whiskeytown Lake every summer. Louise was a talented interior designer and floral arranger. She loved to provide a beautiful and loving home, welcoming friends and extended family for weekly Sunday night dinners, fun BBQs, and festive holiday celebrations. Louise and Dick were always the life of every party.

They loved to travel, and made multiple trips to Europe, Africa, and Louise’s native Hawaii. In retirement, domestic trips focused on skiing or Dixieland jazz festivals. Louise was an active volunteer, particularly with the Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary benefiting Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, both with their shop at the Allied Arts Guild and chairing their major Tally Ho fundraiser several times.

When grandchildren arrived, Louise was overjoyed. She knew how to make each grandchild feel special and loved. She planned fun dinners and parties, and shopped ‘til she dropped for them.

Louise is survived by her daughter Janice (Scott) Gibbons of San Jose, son David (Karla) Rockhold of Corvallis, Oregon, and her daughter-in-law Anne (Craig) Rockhold of Palo Alto. Proud grandmother of her seven grandchildren: Kimberly and Melissa Gibbons; Matthew, Andrew, and Michael Rockhold; and Catherine Annunziata and Lt. Peter Rockhold, USN. She is predeceased by her husband Dick Rockhold, son Craig Rockhold, and brother Willie Jordan.

Louise passed away peacefully at home on December 22, 2023 at the age of 91. A Celebration Luau will be held on Saturday, June 8, from 1-3pm. For details, please email AlohaLouise3223@gmail.com or reach out to a family member. Donations are welcomed to Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary benefiting the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford at https://alliedartsguild.org/lpch/.