Marie Ann (Viviani) Martini

Marie Ann (Viviani) Martini gained her sweet angel wings on February 4, 2023, at the age of 94.  Known as Mom, Bea, Besa, Nonnie, she passed away peacefully at her home of 76 years with family by her side.  Marie was born on June 5, 1928, at the Viviani family home on 2nd St. East in Sonoma, to Celso and Maria Viviani.  She was the youngest of 6 siblings.  She attended grammar school (currently the Sonoma Community Center) and graduated Sonoma Valley High School, class of 1947.  During her high school years, she worked at the Sonoma Cheese Factory as a bookkeeper for her father Celso.  At the age of 18, Marie fell in love and married Joseph Martini on November 14, 1947, at the Santa Rosa Courthouse.  They built the home they resided in for their remaining years.  Together they also built, owned, and operated the J. Martini Cabinet Works on 5th St. West from 1955-1965.  Their son Donald was born in November 1948, and their daughter, Marian in August 1953.

Truly enjoying her life to the fullest, Marie took great pride in gardening her infamous, immaculate yard, always full of flowers.  She enjoyed Harley rides with her husband, daily talks on the phone with her sister Anita, camping trips with family and friends, trips to Italy and cruises with friends, drinking morning coffee while watching hummingbirds out her kitchen window, cooking, and baking the fruits of her garden.  You could always count on lemon bars, apple pies, peach cobbler, and persimmon cookies.  She loved cooking family holiday meals, which included her famous clam dip.  In her later years she enjoyed travelling to fiddle contests with her companion, Dale Stokes. 

Marie was a member of NDGW Sonoma Parlor #209 for 53 years, and a Sonoma Valley Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer for 25+ years.  Always heading the See's Candy Sales, never missing an opportunity for sweets!  She also volunteered her time with the Blood Bank of the Redwoods.  She was a social butterfly attending gatherings such as NDGW events, NSGW and Sons of Italy dinners, Schell-Vista BBQs, GEFD Mother’s Day breakfast, and Annual Crab Feeds.

Marie is survived by her children, Don Martini, and Marian Ritner, both of Sonoma; 4 grandchildren, Anna (Bucky) Martini of Sonoma, Ben (Katie) Martini of Idaho, Colby (Christina) Ritner of Oregon, and Carmen (Ryan) Xavier of Hidden Valley Lake, Ca.  She was a proud great-grandmother of 5, Michael and Sara Martini, Madison Poncia, Gavin and Logan Xavier, who will surely miss playing cards, bingo, puzzles, and coloring with Nonnie.  She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and her loving companion of many years, Dale Stokes. Marie is proceeded in death by her beloved husband Joseph (1989), parents, Celso and Maria Viviani, brothers, Dino (Marguerite) and Pete (Jackie) Viviani, sisters, Clamera (Fred) Larsen, Anita (John) Tommasi, and Lillian Viviani, nephews, John C. Tommasi and Albert Larsen, niece, Louise A. Wilson.

Our family wishes to thank Maribel, our very special caregiver, and the incredible Providence Hospice of Petaluma team that guided our family with such loving care. For those who wish to donate, the family requests donations be made to Providence Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St. Petaluma, Ca 94952 or NDGW Children’s Foundation, 555 Baker St. San Francisco, Ca 94117

Services will be held Friday, February 24, 2023, at 12:30pm at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 W. Napa St. Sonoma and concluding services at St. Francis Solano Cemetery, 550 E. Napa St. Sonoma.

Fly high with the angels, Nonnie….

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