Myra Brocchini

1932 - 2022

Myra Brocchini
July 26, 1932 - February 15, 2022
Myra May Mossman Brocchini was born July 26th, 1932, in Palo Alto, California and died peacefully February 15th, 2022, at the age of 89 in Sacramento, CA from complications from cancer. She is preceded in death by her parents Ralph Westbrooke Mossman and Kathryn Button Mossman, her sister Deborah Mossman Noble and husband of 65 years Ronald Gene Brocchini. Myra is survived by her son Christopher Ronald Brocchini. Daughter-in-law Theresa Lynn Brocchini, and grandsons Alexander Santi Brocchini and Samuel Enzo Brocchini. She was a gracious affable host to all but particularly enjoyed the spirit of young people. Myra cherished her relationships with grandsons Alex & Sam. Myra cared for many years for her husband, Ron who suffered from dementia. She was a tough cookie surviving and recovering from a stroke, broken hip, subdural hematoma, multiple skin graphs and eye surgery. Her love of life, family, friends, clients, and anything Cal buoyed her daily. Myra adored her zebra finches, the neighborhood squirrels, and the family rabbit Morris Gull. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in architecture in 1955 and Master of Arts in architecture in 1956 from the University of California, Berkeley. At Cal, she was awarded the Gold Medal for Design in 1954 and Chi Alpha Kappa Medal for Design in 1955. Myra became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1997. She received an Alumni Citation and Bear of the Year award from the University of California, Berkeley in the late 1980s. Myra served on the University of California, Berkeley's Art Museum Council Executive Board from 1982 to 1989. She served as a grader and exam author for National Council of Architectural Registration Boards between 1980 and 1991 and the California State Board of Architectural Examiners between 1980 and 1992. Myra was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Head-Royce School from 1981 to 1990. She received the Distinguished Alumna medal from the Head-Royce School in 1983. Myra designed over 100 residences in the Bay Area; she received the Architectural Record Award of Excellence for the Provost Residence at UC Santa Cruz and other awards from the AIA, Sunset Magazine, House Beautiful, House and Garden, Architecture + Urbanism, Home for Leisure Living, and House and Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Keep Tahoe Blue in memory of Myra. A memorial service will be planned when gathering is safe. VA ORSI!