Charlene Pestoni

1931 - 2025

Charlene Pestoni
08/13/1931 - 04/11/2025
Charlene Pettygrew Pestoni passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2025, with her family and devoted caregiver by her side. She was born in Oklahoma in 1931 to Elvin and Annie Jackson Pettygrew. The family moved to the Napa Valley, where she and her four siblings attended St. Helena High School.
Charlene met the love of her life, Marvin Pestoni, while her father was working on Marvin's parents' ranch on Whitehall Lane in St. Helena. They married in 1947 and shared 77 incredible years together. They enjoyed countless adventures and lived life to the fullest. Their travels included road trips in their Prevost motorhome, cruises and vacations to Hawaii and Europe. They created countless cherished memories with family and friends.
In later years, when travel became more challenging, they found joy in spending time at their home in Calistoga and weekends at their lake home on Jago Bay. Charlene and Marvin built their home on a beautiful property on Kortum Canyon Rd. Charlene chose the parcel because of its expansive views of the Napa Valley and downtown Calistoga. She loved the location close to town while also enjoying the solitude it provided. Her vegetable gardens and flowers brought her tremendous joy.
Charlene and Marvin had two daughters, Linda and Suzi. She was a devoted and supportive mother and grandmother, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren will always cherish the memories of lazy summer days spent with Charlene in her pool watching the gliders quietly flying by overhead.
In her early years, Charlene worked at the St. Helena ranch owned by her in-laws, where she developed a love for animals and embraced the responsibilities of ranch life. In the late 1960s, she began driving a school bus for the St. Helena and Calistoga Unified School Districts. Later, Charlene and Marvin acquired waste and recycling businesses in Napa and Lake Counties, as well as the Rutherford Grove Winery and Vineyards, amongst other real estate ventures.
The family is forever grateful for the excellent care and love provided by Millie, their caregiver, as well as to Dr. Jeanette Williams and the wonderful nursing staff at Providence Hospice Napa Valley.
Charlene is survived by her husband, Marvin Pestoni; daughters Linda Pestoni Sereni and Suzi Pestoni; grandchildren Dean Sereni, Brian Sereni, James Fitzgerald, and Nic Fitzgerald; great-granddaughter Siena Sereni; and sister Ann Needham. She was preceded in death by sisters Maggie McDaniel (Ray) and Millie Criswell, and brother Harold Pettygrew.
Charlene, your kindness and beauty were endearing. Your quiet strength allowed you to move through life with grace and humility. We love you and will miss you.
A private family funeral will take place in St. Helena, CA, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Providence Napa Valley Hospice.