Marina Crosariol
September 9, 1932 - December 18, 2024
Marina (Lovi) Crosariol, 92, passed away peacefully, with family at her side, on December 18, 2024, in Santa Rosa, California. Born in San Francisco, California, on September 9, 1932 to Italian immigrants, Alfredo and Civilina (Petrini) Lovi, she grew up in South San Francisco and graduated from South San Francisco High School.
Working in her father's grocery store one day, she eyed a handsome young man new to South City. After parental approval, Italian dating began at the family kitchen table with hours of small talk. Next was dating at the movies accompanied by a chaperone, Marina's younger brother, "Cookie". Leo proposed on Marina's high school graduation night and the two married the following year, shortly before Leo was deployed to Korea. Marina worked at the Bank of America and spent evenings writing letters to her soldier every day for the 19 months he was away.
Upon Leo's honorable discharge and return home, they started a family, purchased their first home, and Marina took on two of the most difficult roles: a nurturing mother of two and the wife of a police officer. As her children grew older, Marina worked for executives of Guy F. Atkinson Construction Company, but her most rewarding 20 years was working with the South San Francisco United School District at El Camino High School. She loved the students, and her co-workers were a second family. She prided herself on connecting each student's name to their face.
Following their retirements, Marina and Leo built their dream home in Kenwood, California (Sonoma County) and spent the next 26 years tending to their vineyard, orchard, acreage, and vegetable garden that fed hundreds of Sonoma County diners, family and friends. Marina and Leo won many Sonoma Harvest Fair awards for their vintage Cabernet and Merlot varietals. Marina was proud of her culinary expertise and her Italian heritage. She could whip up a gourmet meal with homegrown ingredients and match any Italian restaurant in the area.
When Leo passed, Marina relocated to the Oakmont community, planted a seasonal vegetable garden and a variety of flowers, joined the Parliamo Italiano Group, and shared her Italian culture. Marina was grateful that she found a neighborhood of friends who could always be counted upon when she needed them. In remembrance of Leo, Marina wrote thousands of letters to deployed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and to Honor Flight Bay Area Veterans. Living 13 years after Leo's passing could not mend Marina's broken heart. His photos filled every room of her home and stories of their life together were easily shared with others. Marina was exceptional in every way: beautiful, classy, kindhearted, generous; brave and strong; a devoted wife; loving mother; generous Grandma, Nonnie and Bisnonna; true and loyal friend.
Marina is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Crosariol; her parents, Alfredo and Civilina Lovi; and her brother, Alfred "Cookie" Lovi. She is survived by her children, LeAnn Thornton and Steve Crosariol; her grandsons: Nicholas (Amy Salomone) Thornton, Joe (Gina Kai) Crosariol, and Vince Crosariol, with whom she was incredibly proud; and Bisnonna to her beautiful great-grandchildren: Bran and Timothy Thornton and Kaia Crosariol. She is survived by her sister-in-law Anne Lovi, nieces and nephews.She leaves many dear relatives in Italy, Australia, Belgium and France. Marina's family would like to express their appreciation to Providence Hospice for their loving care in her final days.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at All Souls Catholic Church, 315 Walnut Avenue, South San Francisco. Burial will follow at the Italian Cemetery, 540 F Street, Colma, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, or a favorite charity. Please remember Marina with an act of kindness to others. Marina will be dearly missed by all.

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Published by Press Democrat on Jan. 5, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Marina Crosariol

Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.

9 Entries

Patricia Derenzo

February 20, 2025

Just heard of Marina´s. I remember traveling to Italy with her many years ago. Beautiful, fun loving, caring lady. Pat Derenzo

Claire & John Villa

February 20, 2025

Blessings to Marina and to Leo, wonderful people

Jean Panelli Peeters

February 6, 2025

My late husband, Fred, and I were next door neighbors on Valencia Drive in South San Francisco.

Sal and Connie Rosano

January 7, 2025

I first met Marina and Leo when I joined the South San Francisco Police Department. I was young and they made me feal comfortable in my new role. Leo was my patrol partner for a number of years. When Leo retired and they moved to Santa Rosa we renewed our friendship and when Leo passed away, Marina remained and occasionally joined a small group of other spouses of former police officers. She was a delightful person who enjoyed sharing stories of her life with Leo and their many activities during their long marriage.
We will certainly miss those occasions and will remember her fondly. Our condolences to LeAnn and the rest of the family.
Sal & Connie Rosano

Kevin O'Keefe

January 6, 2025

Many fond memories of Marina growing up in Avalon Park, none of them not without Leo. From when I first remember going outside to play and throw a ball with Steve. We spent almost every Summer on a vacation together, weekly bbq's at each others house eating and our parents having cocktails. She new how to cook! On one occasion, Leo and my dad Gordon loved tripe, from what I remember she spent all day, at least making a Big pot of it. The two of them almost ate it all. When camping, Leo and dad would catch trout and they were done. Marina and mom would have to take care of them for dinner. Marina was very quite when it came to Leo's big laugh she settled him down by laughing with him only in a smaller way. The stories that I remember growing up and the very, very fond memories of Marina and Leo and LeAnn and with Steve are forever in my thoughts as you and my family go through this sad part of life. Dad and Leo are eating well now that Marina has joined them in heaven. She is smiling as the fish stories and who won at ping pong share the room. Italy and Ireland, no better family to have shared or broke bread with!
LeAnn and Steve along with your family know that the O'Keefe's and South San Francisco will not forget your mom! May she rest in peace.

Kevin, Diane and Mary O'Keefe

Frank Anderson

January 5, 2025

Such a wonderful and beautiful person. I think everyone who knew her will miss her greatly. My family and her family were friends when we´re kids. Fond memories of Leo and Marina and their kids LeAnn and Steve. Condolences to both LeAnn and Steve and their families. Now Marina and Leo can continue their Love Story forever.

Rita Huntsman

January 3, 2025

Remember Marina Crosariol when She & Leo first lived on Baden Ave. SSF. AL (Cookie) was a classmate when We were in SSF Hi School My condolences to the Crocariol & Lovi Familia I remember when Al wrote: "a tavola non
s'invecchia" (at the table we don't grow old) Al also wrote "Si va o non si va "Aandiamo (Shall we go or not go") Let's Go RIP to Lovi & Crosariol Familia Rita Pistone Huntsman

Nancy Devincenzi

January 3, 2025

Marina was special in every way as a friend and neighbor. I loved hearing the stories of she and Leo and their love affair. I can only imagine how much her family will miss her.

Yolanda Machi

January 2, 2025

To Marina´s Bellissima Famiglia - My Sympathy and prayers to all of you, for the loss of Marina, who I first met years ago, through her sweet brother Cookie, a great friend of my husband, Joe Machi (Deceased 3/6/23). She was truly a beautiful, talented, lovely lady. May she forever R.I.P.

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