Obituary of Carolina Ricotti Marcus

She was the heart and soul of our family. Carolina Ricotti Marcus passed away in her sleep on July 30, 2021 at the age of 99. She was born Carolina Martha Rosati on February 26, 1922 in San Mateo, California, the youngest of four children to Ettore (Joe) and Carolina Rosati. The Rosati family moved to Hollister in 1927 when Carolina was 5 years old. She attended Hollister Grammar School, San Benito High School (Class of 1940), San Benito Junior College and received her Bachelor of Science Degree and RN from St. Mary’s Nursing College in San Francisco in 1945. As a nurse, she worked in Hollister for Dr. Eberle Sheldon and for the American Red Cross Blood Bank. Like her sister Aurelia, nursing was not just a job but a vocation. Although Mom never practiced nursing as a career for that many years, she was a constant care giver to her family and friends in need. Carolina married her “Johnny”, John W. Ricotti, in October 1946, and together they established Ricotti’s Crop Supply on Hillcrest Road, where they served San Benito County’s orchardists and ranchers for over twenty years until John Ricotti’s sudden death in 1968. She continued to run the business until 1970, when she sold the company to El Camino Crop Supply. Carolina later married high school classmate Robert J. Marcus in June 1973 and they were married 21 years until his death in 1994. Carolina was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Immaculate Conception Church. She was also a member and two-time past president of the YLI, former past president of the Sacred Heart School Mother’s Club, and served twice on the San Benito County Grand Jury. Carolina was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and even great-great grandmother. She loved baking her Italian cookies, especially her famous biscotti, ban berry tarts, and her torta, made from a recipe passed down to her from her mother. Mom could make one hell of a Manhattan!! She enjoyed being outside in her yard and would even cut her own lawn until she was 90!! Her home was always a gathering place for her family and friends, and always filled with delicious food and wonderful laughter. She and Johnny hosted large, lavish BBQs and parties in the home they built and in their huge back yard with the built in BBQ large enough to feed “whomever felt like dropping by”. Mom and Bob also hosted large family gatherings where she featured her homemade raviolis and, on Christmas, there was always a large prime rib in the oven. Her home was always filled with music, whether it came from the record player, Dad’s reel-to-reel, or live music from the player piano, with Bob occasionally accompanying on the drums. She loved the holidays and was always surrounded by her devoted family. Her faith was unwavering and Mom was always a source of strength and love and comfort for her family. For many years, her sister Aurelia was her next door neighbor, and Mom had Bob build a gate in the backyard fence so both sisters could easily drop in and check on each other. Even at the age of 72, Carolina took a job in the mailroom at Community Management Services, the property management company where her son works, helping out with the month end statement billing until she was 80 years old. Mom remained active into her later years, always ready to hop into a car heading to her next adventure, whether it was to K-Mart down the street or to Disneyland. Carolina is survived by her son, William J. (Bill) Ricotti, of San Jose and was pre-deceased by her daughter, Carole T. Ricotti-Lust in 2013. She is survived by her grandchildren Richard (Heather) Lust II, Amanda (Ron) Moon, and her granddaughter-in law Brandi Lust. She was preceded in death by her eldest grandson Nicholas Lust in 2017 and her son-in-law Richard Lust in 1993. She is survived by her great grandchildren Levi (Stephanie), Miranda, Lori, Ricky, Liam and London Lust and Alora Melville and her great, great grandsons Nicholas and Russel. Mom was the last remaining sibling of the Rosati family, as she was preceded in death by her beloved older sister, Aurelia Rosati Bozzo, and by her brothers, David Rosati and Joseph Rosati. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Louise Rosati and Juanita Marcus and numerous nieces and nephews in the Rosati, Ricotti, and Marcus families. The viewing / visitation will take place at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home on Sunday, August 8, 2021 from 11:00AM to 8:00PM with the Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00PM. Family and Friends will gather on Monday morning, August 9, 2021, at 11:00AM at Sacred Heart Church for a Celebration of Life Mass. Committal Services will take place in the Chapel of Calvary Cemetery after the Mass, with entombment to take place in the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Donations are preferred to the John W. Ricotti 4-H Memorial Scholarship (3228 Southside Road, Hollister, CA 95023 or in care of the Funeral Home), a scholarship Carolina established in 1968 in memory of her husband and his dedication to the youth of San Benito County, or to the Nick Lust Memorial Scholarship (c/o San Andreas Continuation High School, 191 Alvarado Street, Hollister, CA 95023), which was established to honor the artistry of her grandson, who was a long time teacher at San Andreas. I would like to thank the wonderful and dedicated staff of Mabie Northside Convalescent Hospital and the caring and loving “angels” of Angels In-Home Care, who assisted Mom for years at home. I also want to express my gratitude to Rick and Heather Lust, and Lori, Ricky and Liam Lust, for moving in with and caring for their Nana so she could live as long as she did in her own home. My Mom’s life was filled with both the quantity and quality of years. Her zest, optimism, and enthusiasm added to the enjoyment of her life. Her strong and unyielding faith guided her through her sorrows. Through it all, she was always there for us, not just to celebrate our achievements, but to support us through our challenging moments. Her caring and love never wavered. Mama, I will always miss you but you will forever be fully alive in my heart. I Love you, Bill. You can see why she was the heart and soul of our family.