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Blanche Mondavi Obituary
Blanche Elizabeth Mondavi passed away peacefully at home on January 13, 2010, surrounded by her devoted husband Peter and her family. Blanche was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Blanche was born on November 22, 1918, to Fred and Ester Hurtzig in Lamoine, California, a logging town near Mt. Shasta. The family eventually moved to Sacramento. Blanche graduated from Sacramento Senior High School in 1937, where she was captain of the archery team and an accomplished swimmer and diver. She attended the San Francisco College for Women, now USF's Lone Mountain Campus.
She married Peter Mondavi and moved to St. Helena, a move her parents questioned due to Napa Valley's then remote location and rustic environment. Blanche promoted the family's winery, Charles Krug, by entertaining food and wine writers and distributors at home. She aggressively campaigned against local development initiatives that, if passed, would have changed Napa Valley's future landscape.
Blanche's passion was her garden, including hundreds of rose bushes. She managed the landscaping of Charles Krug Winery for years. Blanche will always be remembered driving around the grounds in her golf cart with her Queensland Heelers at her side.
Blanche is survived by her husband Peter, sister Claire Ehrman, daughter Siena (John) O'Connell, sons Marc (Janice) and Peter, Jr. (Katie), grandchildren Tim, Molly, and Kate O'Connell, KC (Chris) Economou, Angelina, Alycia, Riana, Giovanna, Lucio, and Lia Mondavi, and great-granddaughter Siena Economou.
The family would like to thank Martha, Dean, Lucy, Rosa and Cecilia for the loving and vital role they played in Blanche's life over the past decade.
A private service for family was held on January 16, at the St. Helena Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to any of the following foundations:
The Maurice Galante Research Fund UCSF Foundation University of California, 220 Montgomery Street, 5th Floor San Francisco, CA, 94104.
St. Helena Hospital Foundation, 10 Woodland Road, St. Helena, CA 94574
Queen of the Valley Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2069
Napa, CA 94558
The Mondavi Family has been cared for by Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, CA (707)963-3536
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Blanche Mondavi
6 Entries
Dean Sidwell
January 22, 2010
Peter Mondavi Sr. Family,
It has been a honor and a blessing to have had the opportunity to help care for Blance. She will live in my memory as being one of the strongest women I have ever know. Dean
January 21, 2010
Marc, we were deeply saddened to hear of your loss. We hope that you will accept our most sincere sympathy and condolences. We truly hope that your memories of happier moments will help ease your pain. You, your father and your family are in our thoughts.
Molles Vineyards
Mary Molles
Jim and Shelley Molles
Jim Davis
January 21, 2010
Marc, we are in Mesa Az and read of your loss in the Redding paper (on line).
Dione and I offer our deepest sympathy to you and Janice and all your girls.
We will be grieving for you.
Love
Jim And Dione
January 21, 2010
Peter - You have our deepest sympathy. We hope that just knowing what a long and fulfilled life she lead will help to comfort you and your family.
Molles Vineyards
Mary Molles, Jim and Shelley Molles
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January 21, 2010
Siena ...
Nancy just told me of your Mom's passing and suggested I read of her death in the newspaper. I remember your mother as a fine and handsome woman when you visited your grandparents next door. I always think of the Charles Krug Winery when in Napa Valley and have fond memories of the times we spent together in Sacramento. My best wishes go out to you and your family.
Chuck Ledden, Laguna Beach, CA
Nancy Reid
January 20, 2010
Siena, I was so sorry to read of your mom's death in the paper this morning....I don't go by 42nd St. without thinking about the Hurtzigs and the Leddens. Nor do I go to St. Helena without thinking about you. Please know that you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers. Nancy Ledden Reid
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