Thread by @latimes

Hundreds of Californians have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some of their stories:

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Carolina Tovar and Letty Ramirez were an inseparable mother-and-daughter duo — the twin matriarchs of their family.

On April 3, they died from COVID-19, hours apart in separate hospitals.

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Gary Young was a people person. He started conversations with just about everybody — cashiers at the grocery stores, servers at the local breakfast joint.

Young’s family believes that his handshaking may have been how he contracted the coronavirus.
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Scott Blanks seemed to be able to tackle anything in life with good humor.

“It was very difficult for me to accept myself, and he made me feel proud about myself,” a friend said. latimes.com/california/sto…

David Werksman was “a real cop’s cop," a colleague said.

He was the second deputy in the Riverside County Sheriff’s department to pass from the virus.

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Allen Garfield was a supporting-player mainstay of some of the best films of the ’70s.

He died at a movie industry retirement facility where several staffers and some residents have tested positive for the virus. latimes.com/california/sto…

Larry Lerner and his wife Lynne enjoyed a classic Hollywood romance that began more than 25 years ago on the set of a TV show.

The last time Lerner spoke to his wife, he said “Hi, baby, everything’s fine. I’m fine. I love you.” latimes.com/california/sto…

Terrell Young had a strong protective instinct.

“I think that’s probably what he was put on Earth to do, is to keep people safe,” his brother said.

Young, a sheriff's deputy, likely contracted COVID-19 from an inmate he transported to a hospital. latimes.com/california/sto…

Valeria Viveros, 21, didn’t have the heart to stay home after she got her first job as an assistant nurse.

"We want to remember her spirit of dedication and perseverance in pursuing her objectives, her joy and sincerity and the way she treated other people," her aunt said.

If a room of people could have a conductor, seeking to accommodate needs, lift spirits and bring all together with inclusion, Azar Ahrabi was it.

“I have the confidence to say I will never meet anyone so unconditionally selfless,” said her son, Amir.

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Vernon Robinson was the kind of man who showed up for his friends unconditionally.

“I used to say that even if something had happened to us and our marriage didn’t last, I would still want him to be my friend,” said Vernon’s wife of 55 years.

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The Rev. Lawrence Wilkes went from selling cemetery spots at Crystal Cathedral to becoming the face of “The Hour of Power” broadcasts across the nation.

He was remembered as a gregarious man, quick with a joke and a knack for speaking.
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Gary Bowie was the executive director of a nonprofit that provides health services for HIV-positive people.

“We lost so many people during the AIDS crisis, we were at risk of losing our history," his husband said. “He wanted to make sure the younger generation knew their roots”

Though she sometimes lived paycheck-to-paycheck Arcelia Martinez used her own money to buy food for her coworkers who couldn't afford meals.

"She always wanted to make sure that everyone was OK,” her daughter said. latimes.com/california/sto…

Marylou Armer was denied testing for the coronavirus three times. Since her death, thousands of people have signed onto a petition for the “Armer Law,” legislation to ensure access to testing for first responders during an epidemic or pandemic. latimes.com/california/sto…

Camille “Sasha” Ellington had big hopes for how her life might change after the removal of a benign brain tumor, which for the last few years had severely diminished her vision.

She died at age 66, weeks after having the tumor removed. latimes.com/california/sto…

For nearly 50 years, Hatsuye “Hatsy” Yasukochi manned the front counter, decorated the cakes and greeted her customers by name at her bakery in San Francisco’s Japantown.

She died of COVID-19 just after her 80th birthday and a battle with lung cancer. latimes.com/california/sto…

We hope to continue to add to this list of remembrances for Californians who lost their lives to the coronavirus.

If you’ve lost a loved one to COVID-19 and want to tell their story, share it with us here: latimes.com/california/sto…

On Feb. 15, Jorel Alfonso decided, on a whim, to toast his brother Justin at Justin's wedding rather than wait for a second ceremony in the Phillipines.

Nearly two months later, after Alfonso, a father of 3, died due to complications from coronavirus.
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Over the course of his decades-long career, Allen Daviau was nominated for five Academy Awards and was awarded lifetime achievement awards from the Art Directors Guild in 1997 and the American Society of Cinematographers.

He died Wednesday at age 77.

We're chronicling the lives of Californians who have passed because of the coronavirus. latimes.com/california/sto…

If you want to share the story of a loved one who has fallen victim to this pandemic. Tell us here: latimes.com/california/sto…