Jean Dito

1919 - 2016

Jean Mildred Dito (nee Tobin)

May 13, 1919 - Dec. 13, 2016

Jean passed away peacefully at Nazareth House Senior Care center facility in San Rafael. She was 97 years old. Born in San Francisco to Agnes and Austin Tobin, she attended St. Anne's Grammar School and Presentation High School, Class of '37. She was a devout Catholic all her life and always carried rosary beads. She was an accomplished artist, a fantastic cook and cake decorator, a devoted cat lover, a champion wii bowler and always enjoyed a good poker game. She played piano almost daily, well into her 90's. She traveled extensively in her later years to Canada and Europe, but her favorite place in the world was the family cabin in Cazadero where she spent many a summer as a child and later with her large family. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent J. Dito, a manufacturing jeweler and two of her eight children, Richard and Dennis. She is survived by her six remaining children Paul, Raymond, Austin, Michael, Jeannette, and Marilyn; her 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was always fun and silly Auntie Jean to many Tobin and Wardell nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Nazareth House director Alice Lynch and her dedicated staff who made Jean feel so at home during her years as a resident. She blossomed while there, making many friends including Patricia Larkins, Alice McDeavitt, Carol Revel, and her loving partner, Frank Nardell. Mom and Frank enjoyed a special bond for several years, supporting one another one day at a time. Their relationship was a testimony to the fact that love can be found at any age.
Jean had great artistic talent, painting and creating many lasting pieces of art which she distributed generously to family and friends. Jean was a great communicator, and she enjoyed sitting down to write many cards and letters, following in the footsteps of her father, Austin. She was always running out of stamps; and many a phone call was a plea for "More Stamps". Often times, a letter included an old family photo from our youth either at Cazadero or the family home at 1250 23rd Avenue.
Mom was a cancer survivor, having gone through chemotherapy almost 30 years ago.
Mom adored all her grandchildren, especially when they were with her in Cazadero. She loved telling stories about the early days at Caz when she was a child.
Her grandchildren love to recall how Jean would clear the table after dinner and bring out the cards and poker chips for their "lessons". Chips, cards, green felt cloth, green visor and a lively attitude about home grown fun were part of that era.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. We wish her a blessed journey to her new life in Heaven.
Inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA. Donations in her name can be made to Nazareth House Aux., 245 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA, 94903.