Ruth Bondelie FADELLI

Ruth Lorraine (Bondelie) Fadelli died at John Muir medical center in Walnut Creek earlier this year from complications resulting from a fall and broken hip. She was 94 and died on her husband Frank Fadelli's birthday on March 30th. She was buried next to him at St. Joseph's Cemetery in San Pablo, Ca. Ruth had been ill with dementia and aspects of Alzheimers for many years. After living on Dimm St. in Richmond for nearly 50 years, she resided in San Pablo and Concord until her death. Ruth is survived by her two sons, Frank Fadelli Jr. (and Emily) of Antioch, CA, and Paul Fadelli (and Michelle) of El Cerrito. She had three grandchildren, Matt Fadelli (of Star, Idaho), and Katie and Christina Fadelli (of El Cerrito, CA). Of her six siblings (John, Paul, Alice, Rolf, Richard and Bruce Bondelie) Ruth is survived by two of her brothers: Richard (and Roberta) and Bruce Bondelie, as well as her sister-in law Pam Bondelie -- all of San Jose. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews from the Bondelie, Fadelli, Ghilotti, Calegari and Perault families of the Bay Area and beyond. Of Norwegian parents (Sena and John Bondelie) Ruth was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1919 and raised in Madison, WI. Her family made its way to California during the Depression in the 1930's and, with the help of Ruth's Aunt Anga Bjornson of Piedmont, CA, settled in Cotati in Sonoma County. Ruth met Frank Fadelli at Santa Rosa Junior College and they married in 1939, living in Petaluma until 1952 when the Fadelli family, with two young sons, moved to Richmond so her husband could began what would be a 30 year career with Sunshine Biscuits of Oakland. Ruth will be remembered as a beautiful wife, mother, sister and aunt who loved celebrating family and friends as a great cook and hostess. She was a good sport on family camping trips and loved putting quarters into slot machines at Lake Tahoe or Reno. She loved her dogs (Susie, Muffy and Misty) and her corner Safeway. She worked at several jobs to help put her sons through college - Mira Vista Grammar School, LoRay Variety, Montgomery Wards and JC Penney in downtown Richmond. Ruth is at peace after a long tough period of declining health. She had requested that any service in her memory be a private event with "both sides of the family" enjoying all her favorite foods and drink.