Marie Inez Parlato

Marie died peacefully with her family by her side at her home on June 10th, 2011. She was born in Filattiera, Italy (Tuscany) to Rosa Mora Simoncini and Antonio Simoncini on June 18th, 1913. Her father served in the United States Army during World War I. In June 1920 she and her mother sailed from Genoa to New York aboard the Duca d' Aosta, an Italian passenger ship, to join her father in America. She never forgot the sight of the Statue of Liberty. The family settled in Berkeley where she lived for thirty-three years. She graduated from Berkeley High School. Jack Lalanne was in her graduating class. On June 18th, 1933, she married Joseph Parlato of Oakland, California. They were married for fifty-seven years before his death in November 1990. They had two children, a daughter, Joy, and a son, Irvin. They moved to Humboldt County in September 1951. On August 8th, 1956, they opened Parlato's Restaurant in Fortuna, California. The restaurant was in business for fifty-three years. Many dinners were donated for community events and many sports banquets were served to local athletes and teams traveling to this area to compete with local teams. They grew fresh herbs and vegetables for the restaurant long before it became popular to do so. She loved Fortuna, and they loved her. The Fortuna Rodeo Association honored her by selecting her to be the Grand Marshall for the 2009 Rodeo Parade. In 1975 she returned to Italy for the first time after fifty-five years. She found an aunt and uncle still alive, as well as many cousins. She returned four more times with her husband, Joseph, and other members of her family. On her last visit, at eighty-eight years old, she was accompanied by her daughter, Joy, granddaughters Katrina and Cara, great-granddaughter Marie, and niece Carol. In October 2010 she traveled to St. Mary's College in Moraga, California to speak to her great-granddaughter Katie's class on immigration. She had a vivid memory of her Tuscan childhood and her early experiences in America. She told the class that they could "be whatever they wanted to be", and emphasized to them the importance of a college education. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fortuna, California, the Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club, and a charter member of the Quota Club in Fortuna. She was proud of her Italian heritage and what the Italians have contributed to the world of science, music, art, architecture, literature, fashion and the culinary arts. She was a woman of extraordinary inner strength and faith. She had a special devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. Her humble demeanor, wisdom and gentle manner has touched many and enriched the lives of countless individuals. Her customers were her extended family. She enjoyed everyone's joys and accomplishments. The love she gave will be truly missed by her cherished family and friends, but the love she lived will continue to be embraced deeply by everyone who knew her. She loved babies, children, people, dolls, (she had a Madame Alexander doll collection), dogs, cats, flowers, especially roses, gardening, nature, McClellan spring water, movies, reading, baseball, (Billy Martin sat on her porch in Berkeley and held hands with the girl next door), Joe Montana, Italian shoes, Dante, Pavarotti, Italy, Hawaii, beauty and good food. She loved life... She is survived by her daughter Joy Wotherspoon, son-in-law Bob, whom she adored, grandson Tag, granddaughter-in-law Sarah, grandson Mark, and his wife Jeanne, her son Irvin, and grandchildren Katrina, Cara, and Matt Parlato, and his wife Carolyn, and their mother Karen, several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, sister-in-law Mary Lou Parlato, many cousins and their families in Italy, cousins Emil Feierabend and family, Barbara Delaney and family, and cousin and devoted care-giver Linda Clark and her family. The family wishes to thank Dr. Irvine for his many years of loving care. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Joseph, Brother Emil, and his wife Frances, and a niece Gayle Parlato. Funeral services will be private. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, 320 South Fortuna Boulevard, Fortuna, California, 95540 or to the donor's favorite charity. Glory, Honor & Peace for every one who does good; Romans 2:10 Arrangements are under the care of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, Ca. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.