Mary Louise Yanni

Mary Louise Yanni (née Toelle) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, at the age of
97 in Napa, CA. She was surrounded by many members of her loving family.
Mary Lou was born in Greenbay, Wisconsin, on March 7th, 1927, to parents Anna and Lawrence
Toelle. She grew up in Greenbay alongside her three sisters, Lorraine, Laverne, and Mona, and her one
brother, Father Bill. She went on to study nursing at Marquette University and became a Registered
Nurse. At Marquette, she caught the attention of a handsome young dental student, Francis “Frank”
Yanni. Their decades-long romance began when he asked her on a picnic date—as the story goes, “she
said yes!” The couple married in 1955 and relocated to Texas, where their first child was born. Soon
thereafter they ventured to Northern California, where they settled and continued to grow their
family. They moved from Fort Ord to Hollister and eventually landed in Mill Valley; it was there that
they raised their nine children: William “Bill,” Theresa, Mary, Frank, Anna, John, Gina, Trina, and
Lawrence “Larry.” Throughout her life, she enjoyed traveling with her husband and kids, working as
an RN at the Redwoods Senior Community, spending time with her ever-expanding family, and
celebrating life in their company.
Mary Lou’s husband, Frank, and her firstborn son, Bill, predeceased her. She is survived by eight of her
children Theresa Scripps (Tom), Mary Szykowny (Mike), Frank (Donna), Anna Maroulis (John),
John, Gina Kackman (Chet), Trina Caton (Jeff), and Larry (Vickie), seventeen grandchildren Despina
Nading (Chad), Brian Szykowny, Nikoletta Hickle (Sean), Aleka Pettes (Mike), Laura Szykowny,
Lukas Yanni, Roslyn Kackman, Morgan Yanni, Anthony Kackman, Andrew Caton, Maiah Yanni,
Cassie Caton, Alex Yanni, William Yanni, Tessa Scripps (Lee), Emma Scripps (Nic), and Sara Scripps,
eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou will be remembered for her bright and beautiful soul, as well as her loving and gracious
nature. Two core pillars of her life have been her family and her faith. She was a devout Catholic,
finding solace in praying the rosary for her loved ones, and participating in mass. Most precious to her
was her role as grandmother and, more recently, great-grandmother. Her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren were the light of her life, spending time with them was her greatest joy. Her entire
family saw her as the pivotal figure who bound them all together. Many family gatherings took place
because of her, and she made a consistent effort to stay up-to-date with everyone. She will be forever in
our hearts and prayers.

Services will be held on Thursday, February 27th, 2025, in Sonoma, CA. Viewing from 9–10:30 am at Duggan’s Funeral Home, 525 W Napa St, Sonoma CA 95476
Funeral Mass at 11 am at St. Francis Solano Catholic Church 469 3rd St W, Sonoma CA 95476.  Private interment, St. Francis Cemetery, Sonoma.

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