Angelina Alioto

Angelina Genaro Alioto, the former first lady of San Francisco from 1969-1975 during both of his terms, and wife of the late Mayor Joseph L. Alioto, died peacefully in the early morning of June 17, 2010 at her home in Blackhawk, California. Angelina was the beloved matriarch of her family of six children, sixteen grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren She is also survived by her sister Catherine Papale and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Alioto was born on September 9, 1915 in Dallas, Texas. Her paternal grandfather had immigrated to Dallas from Corleone, Sicily in the late 1800's, and founded the Texas Produce Company. Angelina graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas and thereafter studied painting under Vivian Auspagh and studied the piano. Angelina's remarkably accurate reproductions of Joseph Bail's The Frugal Housekeeper and Millet's The Gleaners and other of her paintings hang in her children's homes. In June of 1941 she married Joseph L. Alioto, who was then working as an attorney in the Anti-Trust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice office in San Francisco. She raised her children at 34 Presidio Terrace, where she lived for more than 40 years and was famous for her Christmas parties. She was among the founders of the De Paul Youth Auxiliary, which is associated with Saint Vincent de Paul Grammar School on Green Street. Angelina served on the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Opera and was often seen in her box. After her children had grown, she owned and operated a retail store on Union Street, A. Genaro's Arts and Antiques, which specialized in fine lines of china and silverware and objects of art. Angelina was also an astute investor in real estate. After her divorce from the former mayor, Angelina moved to Blackhawk where she lived with two of her sons until her death. She was blessed with good health all her life and died from old age. Mrs. Alioto was the loving mother of Lawrence Alioto (Anne Mussallem), Joseph M. Alioto,Sr. (Michele Driscoll), John I. Alioto (Linda Marchese), Thomas Alioto, Angela Alioto (late Adolfo Veronese) and Michael Alioto. She was the adored grandmother of Joseph L. Alioto, II, Lawrence Alioto (Cathy), Michela Alioto-Pier (Thomas Pier), John Piero Alioto (Silvia), Angelina Alioto-Grace (Daniel Grace), Angela Veronese Lind (Jason Lind), Adolfo Veronese (Toni), Matthew Alioto (Nicole), Joseph M. Alioto, Jr. (Erica), Angelyn Alioto Ridgeway (Jeff), Joseph Alioto Veronese (Julie), Nicholas Alioto (Miki), Alexander Alioto, Gian-Paolo Veronese (fiancee Amanda), Daniel Alioto (Denise) and Laura Alioto. She had 24 cherished great-grandchildren. Mrs. Alioto's daughter Angela Alioto was a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and her granddaughter, Michela Alioto-Pier, presently serves as a Member of the Board of Supervisors. A rosary will be held Monday, June 21, 2010 at 8:00 pm and the funeral mass Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m both at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 666 Filbert Street. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma will follow. Donations should be sent to the Auxiliary of St Vincent de Paul Youth Club, c/o St. Vincent de Paul, 2320 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94123 or to www.knightsofsaintfrancis.com. HALSTED N.GRAY-CAREW & ENGLISH (415)673-3000