Marietta Eleanor Finnegan
Resident of Santa Cruz
1930 - 2020
It is with great sadness that Marietta Eleanor Finnegan (Lucido) passed away in the early morning hours of June 1, 2020. She was 90 years old and lived life to the fullest. Marietta was living in Irving, TX in her last years, having moved from Santa Cruz, CA, to be near family.
Marietta was born February 23, 1930 and grew up in Monterey, CA. As a young woman, she worked at a grocery store there where she met a handsome young sailor, Denny, whom she married. A few years later they moved to Santa Cruz with Denny driving one of the two ambulances in Santa Cruz and Marietta caring for their growing family. Marietta supported Denny in his move to Santa Cruz Police Department as a traffic cop. The department was a close-knit group with the wives serving many community needs of which she was an active member. She volunteered for SCHS Band Boosters, worked the games and supported her children's many activities. She worked part time at The Boardwalk in the summers and her children spent many happy hours in the Fun House while she worked there at the hot dog stand. Marietta then became employed with Santa Cruz City Schools where she worked for many years. Later, she worked at Zoccoli's Deli on Pacific Street, happily serving lunch to their many customers, always with a smile; Marietta knew everyone's name and treated them all like family. No one was ever a stranger to her. Marietta also loved to knit and gifted many babies with her blankets. Her home was always open to everyone.
Marietta is preceded in death by her husband Denny Finnegan, her mother Miriam Lucido, and her brother Paul Lucido. She is survived by her brother Vincent Lucido and her sister-in-law Jeanne Tovey of Indiana; her children Miriam Byers of Austin, TX, Rev. Denny Finnegan Jr. of Ohio, Mary Breede of Irving, TX, and Anne Meiteen of Austin TX, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and extended family. She will be greatly missed.
Services will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Friday, July 17th beginning at 11:00 am.
Services arrangements will be made through Benito and Azzaro. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to the charities Marietta liked: Holy Cross Church, the Gray Bears and the VA

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Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Jul. 12, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
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7 Entries

Rick Bartle

July 6, 2025

I knew Marietta and Denny very well. I too was a member of the Police Department. I worked for Denney when he was in charge of the Investigation Division. I spent many hours at their home over the years and Marietta always made you feel as though you were part of the family. She had a heart as big as a house. Kind, loving and giving. A wonderful beautiful human being. Rest in peace dear lady.

Rick Bartle

July 21, 2020

Mrs Finnegan. Yes, that's how you were known to me through out my rookie years at Santa Cruz Police Department. The years passed and the Finnegan home became a meeting place for Cops and their families. It wasn't long and Mrs Finnegan became Marietta without question one of the sweetest, loving and gracious ladies I have ever known. Marietta and Denny were gracious hosts when you visited their home. You were treated as family. They say behind every good man is a good woman, well Marietta was the epitome of a good woman. Rest in peace dear lady. My sincere condolences to the family.

Miriam Finnegan Byers

July 16, 2020

Mary Breede

July 13, 2020

You were so generous of heart, constant of faith, and you are remembered with love. You were the lifeline for me and my family and we are so thankful to have been a huge part of your life, especially as a family these last few years. Missing you with all my heart. Mary

LORRAINE AZEVEDO

July 12, 2020

Marietta was known to me through the County of Santa Cruz Personnel Department where I was employed and the Public Employees Association, local chapter. She served on the board of the local chapter and was a mainstay during the years she served there. I met her through that Board having attended the monthly meetings. She had a wicked sense of humor, told it like it was always and endeared herself to all who knew her. We had occasion to talk on the phone re meetings and both of us were committed to serving the retired employees.
I will always have memories of her and send best wishes to her family.
My sister in law, Helen Stensland (Grasseth) who now resides in the state of Washington was a high school student with Marietta and asked me to send her regards as well.

Patty Reedy Sapone

July 12, 2020

Dear Finnegan family,
Marietta and Denny were always there for us throughout our lives whether as young kids at Santa Cruz High or deer in the headlights young police officers. Your home was always warm and welcoming and a refuge. Marietta use to bake treats for all of us at the department and drop them by. She would tell stories of going to Monterrey High with my dad and how dad and Denny went to Navy boot camp together. She was always brought a smile to my face. I feel blessed to have had both of them in my life.
Sending you all loving thoughts,
Patty Reedy Sapone

Mike Marketello

July 11, 2020

Hi Mary and Anne, I'm really sorry for your loss. I hope you two are doing well. Though we went to different schools, we always had that one bond, I hope to see you both someday, and talk about our memories,
Take care you two..
Warmest Regards Mike

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