On June 25, 2019, Markee Thomas Biaggi, long-time resident of Manchester, California, passed away peacefully at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her husband, Louis James Biaggi; parents, Charles and Elizabeth Thomas; and siblings, Jane Stornetta and Peyton Thomas.
Born Margaret Louise Whittle Thomas, on Frb. 16, 1925, in Albany, New York, Markee spent her early years in Mill Valley, California, where she developed an enduring love of nature through hikes on
Mt. Tamalpais and formed bonds with an extensive family in San Francisco and Palo Alto. She attended Berkeley High School and the University of California at Berkeley where she earned her B.S. and M.B.A. degrees.
During those years, she spent many hours supporting the war effort in hospitals and in the entertainment corps. As a personnel manager for the Continental Can Company, she travelled around the country and overseas, which sparked a lifelong love of travel.
Markee enjoyed golfing and hunting, through which she met her husband, Louis James Biaggi, native of Manchester, California. They married on January 29, 1955 and she joined him on his family's Jersey dairy ranch where they raised their six children.
Markee had many hobbies and talents which she shared with her family, community and beyond. She used her business acumen to support the Jersey dairy ranch and the churches of St. Aloysius in Point Arena and the Blessed Sacrament in Elk for over 60 years. Her creative abilities enhanced school plays at Manchester Elementary, local fundraisers and the Gualala Arts organization. She made a special effort to expose her children to art and music and worked with the local schools to support and improve education. Her insatiable curiosity manifested in gardening, camping, taxidermy and a love of nature which she passed on to her children and grandchildren, to whom she was known as "Grambe." She shared her love of travel with her family on trips throughout America, the British Isles, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Markee was an avid supporter of the arts and a frequent patron of the Art in the Redwoods, the Mendocino Art Center and the Mendocino Music Festival. She believed in philanthropic efforts, volunteering many years with hospice, the Coast Community Library in Point Arena and Gualala Arts, and made contributions to organizations like Smile Train and the UC Berkeley Library. Markee's devout Catholicism was a driving force in her life.
Markee is survived by her children and their spouses: Mary and Dan McEachern; Cindy and Francisco Gonzalez; Kathleen Biaggi and Bob Nelder; Patrice and Chris Keeler; Lou and Marybeth Biaggi; and Mark and Maria Elena Biaggi. Also surviving are her 12 grandchildren: Danielle and Becky McEachern; Celia Gonzalez; Ryan, Maggie and Katie Keeler; Gia, Jack, Nick and Emi Jin Biaggi; and Camila and Antonio Biaggi.
Services will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Elk, CA, on Sat., July 27, 2019, with rosary at 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Markee's memory to the Blessed Sacrament Church of Elk, the Gualala Arts Center, or the Manchester Elementary School.
The family lovingly thanks the doctors, nurses and staff of Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits, Dr. Lois Falk and her in-home caregivers for their dedicated care, compassion and support of the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Chapel By The Sea.
6 Entries
So sorry to read about your mom's passing. I remember her and all of you so fondly from my wonderful stays on the ranch. It was a big treat for a city girl and your mother's loving hospitality made it even richer. She always made a point to send newsy Christmas letters about the family and life in Manchester to my parents, which they enjoyed so much.
Deepest sympathy to all your extended family and my hope that lots of good and fun memories will sustain you at this time. What a long, rich, and wonderful life she led!
Molly (McGinty) Laughlin
July 24, 2019
a loved one
July 24, 2019
To the family and friends of Markee Biaggi: Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1,2
RK
July 8, 2019
Im remembering Aunt Markee, my godmother, and wishing her loved ones comfort and strength in this time of sorrow.
Karen McCallum
Family
July 2, 2019
May you rest in peace Aunt Markee; and may your children and grandchildren cherish their memories of you. Love, Diane Thomas
Diane Thomas
Family
July 1, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ann Traglia
Family
June 28, 2019
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