Mary Sozzoni Grandi

Mary Sozzoni Grandi passed away February 20, 2010, peacefully in the house she had lived in for 61 years with her family by her side. Mary was the last living of seven children born to Teresa and Augustino Sozzoni. Mary was born on May 13, 1922 in Mendocino. In 1927 her family moved to Ukiah and purchased a grape ranch on the end of Lovers Lane. She lived and worked on the ranch until she married her husband, Bill Grandi, June 27, 1942. She also worked in the hop fields in the area. Mary was a homemaker and a wonderful seamstress. When her children were in school she made their clothing and made costumes for her children's school plays. She continued to sew making many craft items for her family and friends. She sewed items from scissors holders to baby blankets. When she became ill in August 2009 she was unable to continue her love of sewing. She loved her yard and her home. She was always home when her children returned from school except the few weeks a year she worked in the vineyard, next to her brothers, Martin and John, picking grapes and pruning. In the 70's and 80's Mary and her husband became involved in the local CB Club. They purchased a travel trailer and traveled all over California attending other CB Clubs Jamborees. Mary made her and her husband matching outfits and they won many trophies for the best-dressed couple. Mary was very proud that she was the only sibling that graduated from High School, Ukiah High Class of 1940 and that she was the only one in her family that did not drink. She will be remembered for her cussing in Italian, her well-kept yard and home and for the many homemade blankets, towels, tote bags and other items she made for her family and friends. Mary is survived by her son, John Grandi, daughter, Theresa Pickrell and husband Frank of Ukiah and by daughter, Patti Bacon of Newark, Ca. She is survived by six grandchildren: Jonelle Grandi, Clearlake, Monica Grandi, Ukiah, and Martin Grandi, Lucerne, Willie West, Ukiah, William Beban, Plumas Lakes, Ca. and Joseph Bacon, Newark, Ca. She is also survived by numerous Great Grandchildren. Also by her brother Pete Sozzoni of Ukiah and sister Palma Talso of Clearlake Oaks, her God-Child, Mary Ernestine Henry of Alaska, and by her caregiver, Sabrina Young. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Grandi, 1987, her son-in-law Roger Bacon, 2008, her brothers, Martin, John, Ernest and James Sozzoni, and her sisters, Katie Antoni and Clara Graziano. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Phoenix Hospice Willits, Ca. or Mendocino County Special Olympics P.O. Box 1352, Ukiah, Ca. 95482. Services will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Eversole Mortuary. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment will be at Russian River Cemetery. EVERSOLE MORTUARY IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS