Marie "Mimi" Carreiro

On Friday, September 3, 2010 Mimi passed away following a brief stay at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born July 14, 1946 in Oakland CA to Audrey and Albert Carusillo (deceased). Mimi was the first of five children born. Albert (Roz) Carusillo, Healdsburg; Gregory Carusillo (deceased); Margaret (Ron) Paredes, Hayward, CA and Michael (Lisa) Carusillo, Peralta, NM. She became the eldest of 12 siblings after her mother adopted her 7 cousins following the premature death of their mother. Collette DaPrix (deceased); Denise (Craig) Davis, PA; Genine DaPrix, TN; Charles DaPrix (deceased); Raymond DaPrix (deceased); Daniel (Jane) DaPrix, PA; and Robert (Robin) DaPrix,TN. Predeceased by her husband Glenn Carreiro on Sept. 12, 2008 in Hawaii where they spent 5 years together. Survived by her children Jennifer (Bert) Terreri of Healdsburg; Michael (Keiko) Carreiro of San Francisco; Tobias (Ramona) Mason of Healdsburg, Jacob (Lei) Mason of Honolulu, Hawaii and Jesse (Marissa) Carreiro of Kaneohe, HI. By her 13 grandchildren, Jessica and Justin Furia, Katie, Bridget and Luca Terreri; Julian Carreiro; Dalton, Tiffany and Katie; Maika, Mikiala and Jayden Carreiro; and Nohealani Mason, as well as her great-grandchildren, Violet and Caden. Auntie Mimi to many nieces and nephews. She was close to her cousins, her aunts, uncles, and her in-laws. She affectionately remembered her grandparents. Mimi had lots of great friends who remained close to her throughout her life, throughout her illness and present until the end. Mimi moved her family to Sonoma County in 1971 where she raised her children in Healdsburg. She was a stay-at-home mom until all of her children were in school at times taking in children for daycare. Mimi began her career as a school librarian at Geyserville Elem. School, then Forestville Elem. School, finishing up at Healdsburg Elem. School. An avid reader, Mimi loved to write, listen to music and research ancestry. She enjoyed Italian and Japanese culture, art, music and language. She loved good food, good wine and gathering anywhere that her family was. She was a creative cook. She had a great laugh and eyes that smiled. So proud of her children and grandchildren, they were the light of her life. She was most proud of being a mother. It was clear to all who knew Mimi that she was a wonderful mother who loved her children more than life itself. Our biggest fan, the supporter of our every move, our mom was always there for us. We will miss her so much. A private ceremony will take place at the Healdsburg Oak Mound Cemetery. Friends and Family are invited to a Celebration of Life to honor Mimi's memory on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the home of Jennifer and Bert Terreri, 302 West Matheson Street, Healdsburg at 2:00 p.m.