Cecilia Marie Muschi Dawydiak

Cecilia Marie Muschi Dawydiak Died June 15, 2008 at home surrounded by family. "Sis" was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2007. Born in SF on October 3, 1926, her parents were Ticinese Swiss immigrants, Mario and Catherine (Bazzuri) Muschi. Sis grew up with the late Mayors George Moscone, Joe Alioto, and former Assemblyman Charlie Meyers; all frequent visitors to the Muschi home. Sis attended Presentation Convent School, Presentation High School. She attended St. Joseph's College of Nursing under the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII, and was proud of her Cadet uniform, her St. Joseph's nurse cape and pin. She fell in love with "Gene," a sailor she met at the USO Club in 1945 and they married in 1951. Sis then attended the University of San Francisco, and became one of 14 pioneering women, all registered nurses, to graduate in 1950; the first class of women. She worked at Maimonides Hospital and in the '50s became a pediatrics instructor at Mt. Zion's School of Nursing under Chair, Ganelle Griffin. When the school closed, Sis, the late Norma Muthe and Marion McDermott, were tapped by Ganelle to start CCSF's School of Nursing in the '60s. In the '70s she received a masters degree from San Francisco State University. Elected chair for the past 25 years, she recently went on sick leave due to her illness. Per Sis the faculty at CCSF are the best and brightest and CCSF's Nursing program is one of the most sought after two-year programs in California, if not the US. Sis also trained and showed Bloodhounds and she loved the SF Giants. She and Gene were among the first fans to buy charter seats for the new ballpark. Sis was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Gene; and by brother, Achille Muschi; brother-in-law, Walter Dawydiak. Sis is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Leanna M. Dawydiak and Reno Rapagnani; son and daughter-in-law Eugene Dawydiak and Dianne Meconis; and son, Walter Dawydiak and daughter-in-law, Valerie Ammons. She leaves five grandchildren: Reno V. Rapagnani, Rose Ann Cecile Dawydiak-Rapagnani, John-Paolo Eugene Dawydiak-Rapagnani, Eugene Daniel Dawydiak, and Matthew William Dawydiak; and her beloved goddaughter Marlene. She is also survived by brother, Louis Muschi; and sisters-in-law, Blanche A. David, Marie Muschi, Pasqua Muschi and brother-in-law, John Dawydiak; in addition to nieces and nephews, and family in Ticino, Switzerland. Refer to Chronicle Obituaries, June 22nd for the full version or visit www.caringbridge.org, ceciledawydiak in the search box. You can also contact LDawydiak@aol.com. There will be viewing on Fri., June. 27 at 6:30 pm at Saint Ignatius Church and a Rosary at 7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Church on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 11:30 am, followed by a Burial at Holy Cross. Memorial contributions in the name of Cecile M. Dawydiak can be made to the following: The CCSF Scholarship Trust, c/o Karen Grant, 50 Phelan Ave, LB5, SF, CA 94112, and The Megan Furth Academy, c/o Fr. Charles R. Gagan, S.J. St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave, SF 94118. McAvoy O'Hara Co 415-668-0077