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Marilyn Zecher Obituary
Age 84
Resident of Saratoga
A fourth generation native of San Jose, Judge Zecher was born to Fortune A. Pestarino Sr. and Aida Bianchi Pestarino. She is a graduate of San Jose State University and received her Juris Doctor from San Francisco Law School. Thereafter, she practiced law with the law firm of Zecher and Pestarino in downtown San Jose. In 1975, she was appointed by then Governor Ronald Regan as a Judge to the Santa Clara County Superior Court, on which she served until her retirement in 2004. Judge Zecher also served as the chair of the Board of Trustees of San Francisco Law School, as a director on the Salvation Army Board of Directors of Santa Clara County, as a member of the California Parole Board, and as a trustee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. She was voted "Trial Judge of the Year" in 1994. Judge Zecher is survived by her children Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Vanessa A. Zecher (Hon. Leon Fox), U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Eryth Z. Zecher, and Silicon Valley attorney Albert "Chip" Zecher; and her granddaughter Alessandra Cain. She was a long time resident of Saratoga and enjoyed traveling, cooking, her extensive gardens, and the friendships of many.
Funeral Service: A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Simon's Catholic Church, 1860 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA, 94024.
Donations: The Family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be directed to The U.S. Department of Veteran's Hospice Care Unit, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1290.
View the online memorial for Hon. Marilyn Pestarino Zecher
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Memories and Condolences
for Marilyn Zecher
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
Chris Pera
May 5, 2016
She was my family and she will be missed . She was very powerful very loyal to her family members and would help anybody who needed it . It just sucks that I never got to say goodbye to her . Always remember this Marilyn I know you're in heaven and I know you're smiling down on me right now I know you're very proud of your daughter . Love you always, Alma Pera's grandson Chris P Chris Pera
RENEE BAUM
April 4, 2016
Marilyn. You were a lovely lady and a good friend. Today, I just learned of your passing and I grieve. My condolences to your family.
Christopher Williams RN
December 25, 2015
It was such a pleasure to have met Judge Zecher and to have taken care of her.
She will truly be missed by the staff here at El Camino Hospital - Los Gatos.
Dorina Cereghino Hewitt
November 21, 2015
On behalf of the cousins in Italy and in San Jose -- our sincerest condolences to her family. She lived an esteemed life as Superior Court Judge and was a role model for many young women, particularly those of Italian descent.
Descendants of Adolfo Cereghino (Favale di Malvaro, Prov. GE)
--Famiglia Cereghino- Rita, Dorina (Giorgio) e figli, Silvana (Chiavari, Italia).
Descendants of Carmelo (Irma) Cereghino: Dorina *--
Karleigh, Ryan and families.
* (My father Carmelo was Aida's first cousin.)
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Angela Bernhard
November 21, 2015
My deepest condolences to Judge Zecher's family. I tried several cases in front of her and always found her to be a fair, intelligent and incredibly hard working Judge.
Felice Vega
November 20, 2015
My deepest condolences to her immediate family. You will be remembered always.
Felice Vega
November 20, 2015
My deepest condolences to her immediate family.
November 19, 2015
Sending my condolences to the family. May God give you strength and peace during this difficult time. (Psalm 29:11)
Antonia Lira
November 19, 2015
My deepest condolence to the Zecher family, prayers for all of you. A big hug.
Christine Jacobs
November 19, 2015
I'm so sorry to hear of Judge Zecher's passing. I was her court reporter from 1995-1999, and we kept in touch after my move to Las Vegas. She will be missed. My deepest condolences go out to the Zecher family.
Fortune A. Pestarino, Jr. and Family
November 18, 2015
Our Deepest Sympathy goes out to the entire Zecher family.
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