Darlene LaMantia

2013 - 2013

Darlene LaMantia
FEB 18, 1938-AUG 22, 2013
Darlene R. LaMantia, 75, a resident of the Modesto community, died Thursday afternoon, August 22, 2013, at Garden City Healthcare Center in Modesto.
The Rosary will be said for her on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, 7:30 P.M. at Franklin and Downs McHenry Chapel, 1050 McHenry Avenue, Modesto. A viewing will precede the Rosary, from 4:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2013, 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1813 Oakdale Road, Modesto. Entombment Rites will be held following the Mass at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery.
Darlene Rosalee LaMantia was born February 18, 1938 in Modesto, the daughter of the late Angelo and Marie (Mineni) Curci. She was raised and received her education in Modesto, having graduated from Modesto High School with the Class of 1955.
In 1966, Darlene moved to San Jose where she attended University of California at San Jose where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Education.
Darlene was an educator for over thirty years. She taught at Luther Burbank Child Development Center in San Jose and was very instrumental in the conception of Head Start of California. Darlene retired in 1993 and moved back to Modesto and has resided here since.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Modesto.
Among her special interests, Darlene enjoyed volunteering in community, including First Step Perinatal Program, the Centenary Church, and was a Big Sister for the Big Brother/Big Sisters of America.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Joseph F. LaMantia.
Survivors include her life partner of thirty years, Michael Pao of Modesto; her daughters and son in law, Linda and James Tangrey of Oregon and Karen J. LaMantia of Roseville, California; her brother and sister in law, Joe and Joanie Curci of Modesto.
Also surviving are her two grandsons, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and her loving pug, Chang.
The Family suggests that in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be contributions to Catholic Charities or to Community Hospice, in her memory.
Special thanks and appreciation to Ben Tuifua and his staff at Garden City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Marge Docter of Community Hospice, Josephina Chan-Bravo, Public Health Nurse, retired and Zelda Borton of Silver Leaf Villa for their loving and assertive palliative care.
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