Lena (age 18) with Bronco Comelli at his going back to Italy party on the Marina Ranch, 'su per la costa', c. 1931. The man smiling behind the accordion is Cuneo Viviani, Lena's future husband. (Photo courtesy of Tony Franceschini)As I write in 'La Nostra Costa':
"Circa 1940, the Viviani Family took over management of inn. Lena and Cuneo Viviani, along with their daugher Dolores and son Eddie lived at the Laguna Inn." (LNC: p.232)
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- LAGUNA INN NOW-
- LAGUNA INN THEN - CIRCA 1934-35 -The following Remembrance was published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Lena (Lee) Loezius
Lena Loezius was born on June 1, 1913 in Camby Oregon, the daughter of her Italian parents Edwardo & Menna Stefani who migrated from Lucca, Italy. The family set out moving from Oregon traveling with all 5 siblings at a young age in the mid 20's, settling on the North Coast near Davenport. After the birth of her two children she and her husband, Cuneo Viviani operated the Laguna Inn where it was a place known for so many family, friends and dignitaries to spend time enjoying the outdoors in the picnic grove socializing, eating wonderful food, dancing, playing games and having a marvelous time.
She loved animals and had many. Her adorable kitten Muffin is now with her daughter continuing to being loved and spoiled. When she entered the nursing facility, Muffin would visit frequently which made her happy. She raised a black bird from birth after falling out of its nest. It was never confined to a cage. It flew freely in and out of the Laguna Inn and out to the park and picnic area, but always returned to the loving arms of Lena. She was an avid golfer winning many tournaments while residing on the East Coast. She was an artist in food preparation, working at the Colonial Inn and Loma Linda restaurants for her brother Don Stefani, and then Aptos Seascape where she was loved by all of her employers and coworkers. Her love for music and dancing continued until she was confined to a wheel chair. She was a resident of the Driftwood Healthcare Center for several years with Pat Byrne as the Administrator, including a staff that became like family to her and her children.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Dee Murray and partner Bob Clark, son Eddie Viviani and wife Sandi, sister Nelli Stagi, brother Don Stefani and wife Sandi, Leo Stefani and wife Eva, grandchildren, Linda Lippi and husband John, and Michael Viviani, Christina Viviani, 5 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, her special nieces Teresa Darling, Nilda Salano, Gloria Campos and Antonette De Amico and nephew George Mungai, and their spouses, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews and other family members and friends. She was deceased by her loving sister, Mamie Bertolli and brother Fred Stefani.
A visitation will be held on Thursday June 26, 2008, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. Santa Cruz, Ca. The funeral will be held on Friday June 27, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
We will miss you so much Mama. The guardian angels are in heaven waiting for you with open arms to share your love.
Lena Loezius was born on June 1, 1913 in Camby Oregon, the daughter of her Italian parents Edwardo & Menna Stefani who migrated from Lucca, Italy. The family set out moving from Oregon traveling with all 5 siblings at a young age in the mid 20's, settling on the North Coast near Davenport. After the birth of her two children she and her husband, Cuneo Viviani operated the Laguna Inn where it was a place known for so many family, friends and dignitaries to spend time enjoying the outdoors in the picnic grove socializing, eating wonderful food, dancing, playing games and having a marvelous time.
She loved animals and had many. Her adorable kitten Muffin is now with her daughter continuing to being loved and spoiled. When she entered the nursing facility, Muffin would visit frequently which made her happy. She raised a black bird from birth after falling out of its nest. It was never confined to a cage. It flew freely in and out of the Laguna Inn and out to the park and picnic area, but always returned to the loving arms of Lena. She was an avid golfer winning many tournaments while residing on the East Coast. She was an artist in food preparation, working at the Colonial Inn and Loma Linda restaurants for her brother Don Stefani, and then Aptos Seascape where she was loved by all of her employers and coworkers. Her love for music and dancing continued until she was confined to a wheel chair. She was a resident of the Driftwood Healthcare Center for several years with Pat Byrne as the Administrator, including a staff that became like family to her and her children.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Dee Murray and partner Bob Clark, son Eddie Viviani and wife Sandi, sister Nelli Stagi, brother Don Stefani and wife Sandi, Leo Stefani and wife Eva, grandchildren, Linda Lippi and husband John, and Michael Viviani, Christina Viviani, 5 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, her special nieces Teresa Darling, Nilda Salano, Gloria Campos and Antonette De Amico and nephew George Mungai, and their spouses, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews and other family members and friends. She was deceased by her loving sister, Mamie Bertolli and brother Fred Stefani.
A visitation will be held on Thursday June 26, 2008, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. Santa Cruz, Ca. The funeral will be held on Friday June 27, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
We will miss you so much Mama. The guardian angels are in heaven waiting for you with open arms to share your love.
Published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on 6/24/2008.
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IVANO SAYS:
I am certain that by now Lena has been safely guided across "Il Ultimo Ponte" to join her relatives and 'amici" who have gone before her. As you know in "La Nostra Costa" (last chapter), I describe how once over "Il Ponte" all are transformed to being young as they once were. Perhaps on the other side of "Il Ponte" Lena will also find the Laguna Inn, appearing as it once was 'su per la costa". Imagine Lena and all those 'Amici della Costa' listening to "I Cantatori di Laguna" once again singing "Quel Mazzolin di Fiori" in the picnic grove behind the Inn. 'O che bella cosa'. ivn0
(La Nostra Costa Photo Archives)
