Obituary of Vita Rose Fata

Vita Rose Fata, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2024 surrounded by her family in Hollister, CA. Vita was born on October 31, 1938 in Monterey, CA to Vincent and Rose (Aiello) Cardinale. She was the youngest of five siblings who were raised in the Oak Grove neighborhood of Monterey and went to high school at Monterey High, where she graduated in 1956. She adored her siblings and was especially proud of her hometown and her Italian heritage. After high school she worked at the Monterey branch of Bank of America, along with her future husband Gene Fata. The bank eventually transferred them to the branch in Hollister, where they raised their family and she lived for the rest of her life. Prior to Gene’s untimely passing in 1977, he and Vita were heavily involved in local community activities and youth sports. They both had a passion for helping those in need. They opened their home to foster troubled youth and they provided guidance and encouragement to many others. Vita had a similar passion for animals and over the years had many beloved cats and dogs. In Hollister, Vita worked as a teacher’s aid for the Hollister school district and later in life as a bookkeeper for several local businesses including San Benito Rockery, Enz Construction, Building Enterprises, and JR Plumbing. Vita was a great fan of the bay area professional sports teams. For several years, she was a season ticket holder of the San Jose Sharks and rarely missed a home game, which she enjoyed attending with her friends or children and grandchildren. She was especially fond of her grandchildren and lived by the motto displayed on her favorite sweatshirt “Nana’s the name, spoiling is my game.” Vita is survived by her children Debbie Fata of Delano, CA and Esther (Jon Cabral) Fata Matthews, Vince (Ann) Fata and Steve (Sonya Oltmann) Fata, all of Hollister, her “third daughter” Dee Dee Jacobs of Delano, CA, grandchildren Geno (Caitlin) Fata, Malorie (Jeff) Stevens, Eddie (Brittany) Matthews, Elena (Zandria) Fata, Breana (Humberto Quintero) Fata, and Joe Fata, twelve great grandchildren, brother Sam (Cindy) Cardinale of Monterey, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents, her sister Grace Bradley, and her brothers Sal Cardinale and Anthony Cardinale. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nursing and care staff at the Mabie Skilled Nursing Facility and to their extended family and friends for their kind expressions of condolences. A private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Vita’s name to your favorite educational scholarship fund or animal charity or shelter.