Marian Devincenzi

Marian Georgene Devincenzi, 88, reunited with her beloved husband Mario and their special dogs when she passed away Dec. 11, 2023 in Grass Valley.

She was born Nov. 27, 1935, in Guide Rock, Nebraska.

Marian, known as Mimi to those close to her, attended high schools in Burlingame, Willows and San Mateo, graduating from San Mateo High School in 1953. It was at San Mateo High that the beautiful, blue-eyed blonde met her lifelong husband, third-baseman Mario.

They married in 1954 and made San Mateo's Sunnybrae neighborhood their home. It was the location of cherished holiday gatherings and many parties.

Marian studied in beauty school and was a hairdresser for nearly a decade before working in the office at San Mateo Scavenger Co., where Mario worked since high school.

They bought property in Grass Valley in 1973 near Marian's relatives, and worked for nearly two decades clearing brush, building fences and making it perfect while completing their barns and custom home. They permanently moved to their ranch, affectionately named The Pasta Patch, in 1990. The white-fenced ranch was the location of many barn parties and the place where family members hold some of their fondest memories of her.

Marian was an animal lover, especially her beloved Springer Spaniels Cricket, Tu and Lulu. They all relished swimming in the ranch's creek and had it better than most people. She and dear friend Michael, tended to the deer and geese at the ranch daily.

Marian was a skilled cook who embraced Mario's Italian-American heritage. She was an accomplished stitcher and avid reader. She and Mario loved the outdoors and enjoyed trips around the West fishing and camping, travel trailer in tow.

Marian was direct, never shy to share an opinion, a hard worker, incredibly generous and made friends quickly.

Active and blessed with good health most of her life, she wrote to family members that if she had a do-over, she would choose exactly the same life: "It was a great ride."

Marian is survived by sister Kathryn Harris, sister-in-law Pat Devincenzi, nephew Rob Devincenzi (Monica), nieces Tricia Harris Busalacchi (Mark), Diane Arceo Lowenstein (Leo) and Christine Harris (Janeen LaGrace), great-nephews Devlin Busalacchi, Andrew Devincenzi and Jonathan Devincenzi, great-niece Lauren Perry, and many beloved family members, friends and neighbors. She was predeceased by husband Mario and parents Jay and Louise Cline.

A memorial will be held Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's Funeral Home in San Mateo. Interment will be held Thursday, Dec. 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma. A Celebration of Life will be held in Grass Valley in the future.

Marian requested that donations be made to a charity of your choice, in lieu of sending flowers.