Mary "Mel" Risso

Nov. 19, 1915 - Nov. 13, 2010

Mel and Don Risso Together Again

Mary "Mel" Risso was born on Nov. 19, 1915 and passed away on Nov. 13, 2010 of congestive heart failure just 6 days short of her 95th birthday. She joins Don, her husband of over 70 years.

Besides her husband, Mel is preceded in death by brothers, Bob and Jack; sisters, Rose, Gen and Eileen. She is survived by her daughters, Donna Roark and Linda (Roger) Locke; brother, Ray (Sophie) Loosli and sister-in-law, Virginia Loosli. She had 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren and lots of nieces and nephews.

Mel and Don met and married in San Francisco where Mel was born and raised. They eventually moved to San Bruno with their 2 daughters and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. They were active in the community (especially Don) and had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling. Mel worked for See's Candy for a while, a real estate office and then for H.S. Crocker for many years before retiring. Don became the Post Master of San Bruno and eventually went on to become Post Master of Vallejo. After retirement they moved to Leisure Town in Vacaville where they both became involved in the community. Mel volunteered at the library, the police department program that had volunteers check on shut-ins and she enjoyed belonging to the choral called the Note-A-Belles.

Don and Mel moved to San Jose to be closer to their daughters in 2005 because of health issues. After Don died, Mel was not able to live on her own because of dementia so she moved in to Carlton Plaza of San Jose. They took wonderful care of her and she participated in all of the activities and short outings she especially enjoyed the sing-a-longs. Mel was very proud that she and Don had been instrumental in helping to build the beautiful St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1781 Marshall Road in Vacaville where a memorial mass will be held on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. A celebration of Life will be held after at Leisure Town Hall, 100 Sequoia Dr., Vacaville.

Mom's good nature and friendliness toward everyone will be missed by her family and friends, but we know she is probably having her Manhattan with Don and her brothers and sisters. Cheers! Here's to you mom!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for her great-granddaughter Kyleigh. Checks may be made payable to CFF with a memo, Team Kyleigh and send to Debbie Locke at 2487 Alveswood Cir., San Jose, CA, 95131

McCune Garden Chapel of Vacaville helped with the services.