Mary Luzzi

God gave Mom her angel wings at 2:00 am Saturday, October 9 surrounded by her loving family and friends who provided her with the sound of laughter, tears, and memories for five days prior to her peaceful passing. Born December 14, 1920 in Willits to Rosa & Guglelmo Pavioni. She was the fourth child, with three older brothers and a younger sister. She was a first generation Italian-American born of Italian immigrants. William, Telio, Dino, Mary, & Emma lived in a two-bedroom house in Fort Bragg with their parents. After graduating from high school, she married Aldo Luzzi. They lived in various logging camps along the North Coast until finally settling in Eureka to raise their four children. After 47 years of marriage, Aldo sadly passed in December 1984. Her life had another wonderful turn with the chance meeting of Orrin Sonberg in 1990. Orie & Mom brought happiness and companionship to each other until his death in October 2000. Mom enjoyed and supported her children and grandchildren through all phases of their lives. She was her family's biggest fan, which was apparent to all of us. She loved the many years of family week-ends on her property at Myers Flat, watching her four sons compete (often against each other) at Redwood Acres Raceway, turning from car races to horse racing with son Ray, gambling trips with daughter-in-law, Dianne, listening to the accordion music played weekly by son David, spaghetti feeds hosted by son Richard, vacationing with her daughter Rosemary & her family, and living next door to daughter Teri, allowed her to hear her grandchildren playing in the backyard. Mom was the queen of QVC shopping - she knew the operators on a first name basis. She very much enjoyed politics, especially at the national level. She loved, as she would say, "attending conventions" (via TV). But most of all, family gatherings meant everything to her. For the past two years, Mom lived at Fryes Care Home where she was loved and cared for by the exceptional staff. She is survived by her children- Ray & Melody Luzzi of Redwood Valley, David Luzzi of Fortuna, Richard Luzzi, Rosemary & Matt Kunkler, Dianne Luzzi, and Teri & Kevin Stites all of Eureka. Grandchildren - Alisa Jerland, Gina Luzzi, Lisa Luzzi, Angela Sousa, David Luzzi, Bill Luzzi, Brenna Carpenter, Michelle Hayes, Christina Graves, Jessalynn Kunkler, Whitney Kunkler, GP Robinson, Ryan Sanborn, & Tess Stites. Great grandchildren- Jessica & Justin Jensen, Madeline, Marlee, & Levi Luzzi, Lacy Conti & Chrissalyn Carpenter, Robert Hayes, Faith Miller & Wyatt Graves, Jenna Sadler & Matthew Kunkler, and Nikolas & James Kunkler, Logan Jerland, her sister & brother-in-law, Emma & Orville LeNoue, her very special friend, Pat Henricksen, and several nieces & nephews. Thank you can't begin to express our gratitude to Dollie Frye & her staff, as well as Hospice. Pallbearers will be her sons- Ray, David, Richard, & Matt and grandsons Bill & David. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandsons- GP, Ryan, Robert, Levi, Wyatt, Matthew, & Nikolas. Her smile was always on her face, right up to the last couple of earthly hours. She's now smiling constantly on all of us. Mom loved yellow, especially flowers. The next time you see a yellow flower, think of her. Arrangements are under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Friday, October 15 and the service will be on Saturday, October 16 at 11:00 am. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click Obits.