KITTY RASO

RASO, KITTY Born December 6th, 1918, in New York, New York, Kitty Raso went to join The Lord peacefully in her sleep Monday evening October 18th, 2010. Kitty, the founding Matriarch of Chula Vista's landmark, La Bella Pizza Garden, endured many trials in her 93 years. With the loss of her first husband, Phillip to cancer in 1943, Kitty was left a 25 year old widow with four young daughters. It was drive and determination that got this single mom through the hard times. In order to bring her family relief from New York City's summer heat, Kitty would take a cooking job on a friend's upstate farm. It was on that farm in the summer of 1948 where Kitty met Tony Raso, a handsome bachelor who owned a small dairy farm close by. Tony and Kitty were a product of a simpler time. It was at their first encounter, where Kitty prepared delicious Lasagna, that she simply stated, "You know I'm Italian, You're Italian, I have the children, you have the farm, we should get married." Tony immediately agreed. Their loving devotion to one another lasted 55 years. They worked the farm together from 1948 through 1954 when in 1954, finding times on the farm getting tougher, Kitty and Tony decided to pull stakes and brought the family, Rosary, Ginger, Phyllis and their new son Joey to Chula Vista, California. Opening La Bella Pizza Garden, a small Mom and Pop Italian diner on 3rd Ave. downtown, the Rasos worked hard and established themselves as beloved Chula Vista residents. That first year, Papa Tony ran the kitchen, while mom served the customers with little Joey running around with a broom. In 1959, their second son, Tony, was born. That year also brought the first of many renovations to where, today, La Bella Pizza Garden, coupled with the adjacent La Bella Cafe & Games has grown to a 25,000 square foot South Bay Landmark with 80 employees. Kitty has always given back to the community with her involvement in numerous charities and organizations. Kitty was president of the International Food Service Executive Organization, on the board of the Salvation Army, instrumental in raising funds for the American Cancer Society, Chairman of the UN Day Committee and a founding member of the Saint Rose Branch of the Italian Catholic Federation. She was preceded in death by her husband Phillip, her husband Tony, and her daughters Josephine, Ginger, and Phyllis. Kitty is survived by three children, Rosary, Joseph, and Tony Jr., eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one great-great-grandchild. Viewing will be Friday, October 22nd, 2010, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Community Mortuary, 855 Broadway, Chula Vista. Services will be Saturday, October 23rd, 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 293 "H" St., Chula Vista, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego.