Laura Righetti Garzoli

Laura Righetti Garzoli Born in April, 1905- Died September 23rd, 2014. Laura was born in Cayucos to Italian-Swiss immigrants Orazio and Gina Donati Righetti. The middle child of three, Laura was raised in Cayucos and attended school in Cayucos and Harmony before enrolling at San Luis Obispo High School. At 19 Laura moved to San Francisco and graduated from Munson Secretarial School. Following her schooling, Laura worked for the local Sherman and Clay music store. During World War II she worked a government job and eventually transferred to Salt Lake City where she met her future husband, Frank Garzoli, who was stationed there. They were married in 1942, but Frank was assigned to serve overseas in Patton's army. Following the war, they moved to McFarland, California where Frank farmed with his brother Elmer. A few years later, Frank and Laura moved to San Luis Obispo, where Frank became an officer with the San Luis Obispo Police Department. Laura managed the cosmetics department at Riley's Department store downtown. Sergeant Garzoli was killed on duty in 1968. Laura opened her own Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio and operated it until she retired in the late 1970s. Laura was always meticulous about her appearance and never left the house without carefully selecting appropriate jewelry and makeup for each occasion. Laura was active in the Historical Society and the Mission Church. She also enjoyed travelling and made three trips to Europe. Laura was preceded in death by brothers, Homer and Delmo and nephew Norman Righetti. She is survived by nieces, Barbara Righetti Keely- long time care giver (Jack) and Marlene Garzoli McMillan. Nephews, Elmer Garzoli, Frank Garzoli, and Charles Bueker (Ginger); sister-in-law Doris Garzoli Bueker; great-nieces, Gina Righetti McAlpine (Tim), Tamara Righetti, Mindy Righetti Newton (Glen), Nicole Keely Dempsey (John), Melissa McMillan Spitzer, and Beth Bueker; great-nephews, Jeffrey Keely (Wendy), Brian Garzoli, Lance McMillan (Debbie) and Charles Bueker; great-great-nieces and nephews, Conor and Braeden Keely, Michelle and Jason Spitzer, Evan Newton Jordan, and Lauren and Wesley McAlpine; great-great-great nieces and nephews Jaden and Faith. Laura adored members of the younger generation, among them Jeff, Gina, Tami and Nicole, but with a wry smile, made sure they understood that the polenta stick kept by her bedside wasn't there solely for culinary use. Special thanks to Steven Sainsbury, M.D., Father Ed Holterhoff, and the staff at Casa de Flores and Bayside Care Center. There will be a visitation September 30, 2014, from 2 to 4pm at Reis Family Mortuary in San Luis Obispo. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 11:00am at Cayucos Cemetery. Sign her guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries