Gianna Jacqueline Ranuzzi

GIANNA RANUZZI

10-30-1950 - 1-03-2026

Born in Los Angeles on October 30, 1950, the daughter of Frank and Florence

Ranuzzi lead a busy and interesting life. Gianna attended Our Lady of Good

Counsel Catholic Church and School in Los Angeles and then moved to the family

ranch outside of Hamilton Montana at the age of 13. There she enjoyed the rural

environment and all it had to offer. Graduating from Hamilton High she went on

to earn a degree in Italian literature from the University of Montana, Missoula.

While at the University she taught English one summer in Taiwan and improved

her mandarin. Her education did not stop there as she studied under the last

student of Maria Montessori in Perugia, Italy gaining her teaching certificate. This

she put to good use in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Missing California she moved to Berkeley to pursue her diversified interests. A

love of travel, art, crafting and jewelry developed into a business. She found

interesting things in China, Guatemala, Cuba, Algeria, Italy etc. as she traveled and

turned them into jewelry that she sold to Museum gift shops, to customers in the

Telegraph area at various locations and to an extensive group of private collectors.

Selling on Telegraph she became aware of the Telegraph Area Business

Association and her love of music found her working with them on the Berkeley

WorId Music Festival. After they severed their connection with the festival Gianna

went on to promote and manage it for many successful years. Under her

management the festival featured an eclectic mix of noted musicians of local and

international fame. This festival turned Peoples Park and other venues around

Telegraph into a weekend of music and fun.

In her spare time, she served on the Board of the Le Conte Homeowners

Association and also was appointed to the City of Berkeley's Parks, Recreation

and Waterfront Commission by Councilman Ben Bartlett.

Gianna is survived by an extended family in Bologna, Italy, her many friends around the world,

as well as her sister Mary Cunningham of Tehachapi.

Her final resting place will be in Tehachapi with her family.

Service will be Thursday January 15, 2026, at 12:00 at Tehachapi Public Cemetery Eastside.