Matilda Dolores Xavier-Grappo

Matilda Dolores Xavier-Grappo "Tillie" September 19, 1919 - September 21, 2010 Resident of Alameda Tillie Grappo passed away peacefully in Alameda shortly after her 91st birthday. Loving mother and wife of the late Thomas Xavier and Michael Grappo. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Ginger and husband Jim Schuler, Marnell Xavier and husband Jim Kull, and Norine Xavier Simmons. Her greatest joy is her grandchildren, Nicole Schuler & husband Josh Kalkstein of Marin, Brad Schuler and Erik Schuler of Alameda, Derek Contreras of Lake Tahoe, Damian and wife Elizabeth Contreras of Alameda, Daryn Contreras of Alameda, and Ryan Simmons of Calabasas, CA. Great-Grandmother of Gabriel Amaya, Caleb and Micah Kalkstein, Sevina Contreras, and Jackson Contreras. Dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. Tillie was the daughter of the late Frank and Julia Souza. Born in Hawaii on holiday, she lived in Alameda from the age of 3 months. She is survived by her brother Wally and wife Pat Souza of Byron, CA. She is the sister of the late Jody Kerrigan, George Souza, Ida Morgan, Harry Souza, Charlie Souza, Edward Souza, and Betty Souza. Tillie was raised in Alameda, graduated from Alameda High School, owned several beauty salons, and a realtor with Kane and Associates before she retired to Incline Village. She was generous and giving, and helped many young couples. She was active in several local organizations and donated much of her time to the preservation of several historic buildings, youth sports, teen centers for dances, and the performing arts. Tillie Souza is most remembered as one of the "girls" of the 1938 and 1939 Alameda's World Softball Champions. Tillie was a member of the team since 1937 under Manager, O.W. "Ollie" Fischer. She played catcher and right field. She was the lead-off batter, to the champions in her ability to bunt and run the bases like a deer. J.J. Krieg's "girls" first became World Softball Champions of the American Softball Association of Chicago in 1938. They played before the largest paid crowd of 32,000 fans to ever witness girl's softball. They were the first local team to win a world championship in any sport and also the first team west of the Mississippi to achieve that honor. They won their second championship in Soldiers Field, the huge stadium in Chicago during the 1939 Worlds Fair, where fans watched the "girls" beat Kentucky for the title. The team, while on tour, played in Toronto, Canada; entertained more than 150,000 service men up and down the Pacific Coast during the early days of World War II. We will all miss her dearly. Family and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial Saturday October 2, 2010, 10:30am at St. Josephs Basilica, 1109 Chestnut Street, Alameda. Visitation starts at 12 noon with Vigil Services at 7:00pm Friday at Santos-Robinson Mortuary 160 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Tillie's name to: Alameda Boys and Girls Club, Alameda Parks and Recreation Department, Alameda Museum, Alameda Welfare Council. Interment private Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward. For further information please call; Harry Greer, Funeral Director (CA Lic. FDR 745) Santos-Robinson Mortuary FD-81, San Leandro 510-483-0123 www.santos-robinson.com