Anita Dolcini Googins

Age 99. Anita Dolcini Googins died peacefully in her sleep this past week at the home of her daughter, Sally Gale, and her husband, Mike Gale. Her son, George Googins was as always, attentive to the end. Her 99th birthday was November 27, 2015. Anita was a member of West Marin's pioneering ranching family Martinoia - Dolcini. A fourth generation Marinite, Anita's ancestors emigrated from Cevio Switzerland to California in 1852. In 1847 her mother's family, the Gallagher's emigrated from Ireland to California. Anita's great-grandparents, Carlo Martinoia and Caterina Traversi, settled on what is now Chileno Valley Ranch. Anita's father, Arnold Dolcini, grew up on his family's dairy in Nicasio Valley, and with Anita's mother, Katherine Connolly Dolcini from Petaluma, owned and operated a dairy in Hicks Valley. Anita was the eldest of six children. Raised during the Depression, Anita put herself through U.C. Berkeley by working as a maid and a cook. She married U C graduate Paul Googins, and together they raised two children, Sally and George. Paul and Anita lived in many small settlements in the mountains of California, as Paul worked as a civil engineer for the Forrest Service. Anita became an elementary school teacher in the 1950's. When she and Paul returned to Marin in 1963, she worked as a reading specialist in Novato. She was well known as a person who could teach the most intractable young student to read. Her method employed many skills, chief among them her kindness and genuine interest in her students. Anita enjoyed the simple things in life. She was a devout Catholic, loved her garden, was a great cook, and kept a well-appointed house. In her latter life she was known around Novato as the lady that walked five miles a day and baked cookies for everyone she came in contact with. When her daughter opened a B and B in the 1990's, she cooked all the baked goods for the guests. She had many good friends and spoke well of everyone. Her positive attitude drew many to her for comfort and assistance in times of duress. It can comfortably be said that she was well loved. Even into her old age, her beauty was remarked upon, and one can only think that part of this was her kindness to all. Anita is survived by her children, Sally Gale and George Googins; son-in-law, Mike Gale; her grandchildren, Katie Gordon, Amy Culver, Ivan Gale, Gus, Gunnar and Geo Googins, and Gitte Gonzalez; as well as 14 great-grandchildren. Reception will be held Saturday, December 12th for friends and family from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Sally Gale's.