Wednesday, February 09, 2011

REMEMBERING FIGLIA DELLA COSTA EMMA FERRARI MUSITELLI

IVANO SAYS: THE REMEMBERANCE BELOW WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL:
www.santacruzsentinel.com


Emma Ferrari Musitelli [Auntie Emma] passed away peacefully of natural causes at her Westside Santa Cruz home, surrounded by her loving family on February 5th, 2011. She was 91, and a resident of Santa Cruz County for 90 years.

She was born to Battista John Ferrari and Antonietta Mattei Ferrari on February 24, 1919, in the Butchertown District of San Francisco [now known as the Bayview/Hunters Point District].

At 1 ½ years of age, along with her mother and sister Effie, she traveled in a Model T Ford to her new family home in Davenport, over the treacherous Devil's Slide roadway, driven by a neighbor, Mr. Collins, who prayed the rosary the entire way. That must have somehow influenced her, as she prayed the rosary daily until her passing.

After attending local schools, she graduated from Smith's School of Business.

She played the guitar and often accompanied her father as he sang songs from his native Piedmont in northern Italy.

She met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Musitelli, who preceded her in death in 2000, as classmates at the one room Agua Puerca schoolhouse at Davenport Landing, north of Santa Cruz. They were married in Salinas, CA on November 18, 1958.

She was known for her generosity, wonderful upbeat personality, and hospitality. During WWII, Emma and her parents hosted many card games at the ranch house, sharing food and coffee, with members of the 54th Coast Artillery Regiment, of which a subordinate unit was co-located on the Ferrari family cattle ranch north of Davenport, establishing lifelong friendships.

Although Emma and Bob did not have any children of their own, they were blessed with seven loving nieces and nephews, of which six survive her, as follows: Emma Garbini Bertoli, Norma Garbini Quilici [Paul], Dolores Del Chiaro Locatelli, Donald Innocenti [Claudia], Marvin Del Chiaro [Elaine], and Robert Innocenti, numerous cousins, and 14 great, 25 great-great, and 2 great-great-great nephews and nieces.

Besides her husband Bob, she was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Giovanna Garbini Dorsa, Marie Innocenti, Florence Laurendine, and Effie Del Chiaro, and her niece Elizabeth "Betty" Innocenti Le Baron.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. David Beck, for his loving care, all of his staff, and Hospice of Santa Cruz.

The funeral procession will leave Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA on Friday February 11, 2011 at 9:30 am for Holy Cross Catholic Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am. The vigil prayer service will be held at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm. Friends are invited to call at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Thursday from 1:00 pm until service time. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to express your condolences to the family and sign the online guest book.

Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, or your favorite charity.

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ADDIO EMMA. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN ACROSS IL ULTIMO PONTE. IVANO