Nell Ranieri

Nell Ranieri
Resident of Castro Valley
Nell (Kirkman) Ranieri of Castro Valley, California, returned home and into the arms of her sweetheart and husband of 63 years, Lido Michael Ranieri on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Nell was born on July 3, 1921 in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Laurence Gomer Kirkman and Nellie Kathryn (Marquardson) Kirkman. Nell was the youngest of their ten children. She liked to tell how, when she was a child, she liked playing Jacks, Mother May I (?), and Kick the Can. She also dreamt of becoming a nurse, just like her older sister Virginia. Pursuing this dream, Nell received her nurses training at Idaho Falls LDS Hospital and with the war on, accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army on February 23, 1945. Here she served in the Nursing Corps stationed at Birmingham General Hospital in Hollywood, California, where she became a surgery supervisor. Her "Decoration and Citations" included the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. She was always very proud of her service to her country.
In 1945, she met a handsome Italian surgical assistant, Lido Ranieri. As he was an enlisted man and she was an officer, they were not supposed to fraternize, but love found a way. While under water at the base swimming pool they had their first kiss; that way no one could see them. In 1946, after separation from the Army, they were married in Twin Falls, Idaho, and then moved to 36th Avenue Oakland, California. In Oakland, Nell went to work in Dr. John Round's Office. In 1961 Nell continued her nursing career joining the staff at Eden Hospital, Castro Valley, California, working in ER and in the Cardiac Care Unit.
In 1962, Nell and Lido moved to Castro Valley, along with their two children, Kathy and Greg where she was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Castro Valley 2nd Ward. Here Nell loved serving in many church positions, including the Primary, Relief Society, which included Visiting Teaching. Nell loved her church, the church community and was proud of her roots as she was a member of the "Daughters of the Utah Pioneers."
Nell loved music, loved to sing, and to keep busy making crafts, sewing, and nurturing her family with love and the best sugar cookies. Her sunshine will continue to sustain her family: her daughter Kathryn Harris (Don), son Gregory Ranieri (Vikki), granddaughters Tessa, Rachel, Lindsay, Taylor, Meghann, great grandchildren Jaxon and Lincoln.
Services will be held at 11am, Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3900 Seven Hills Road, Castro Valley, California.
We are consoled in the knowledge that Nell will again be with the love of her life, Lido who preceded her almost three years to the day.

Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center, FD1456
510-537-6600