Ann Madeline Matteri Broxmeyer

On February 24th 2017, a truly unique woman who touched many lives was called to heaven. Ann Madeline Matteri Broxmeyer was one hundred years young, and left a legacy of fond memories from a life well lived. Born in Bodega Bay on June 7th, 1916, she was the second child born to Italian immigrants, Maria and Giovanni Matteri. Shortly after Ann was born, her family moved to a ranch on Ely and Browns Lane, where she was raised alongside siblings, Kay Allen, Elsie Marsh, Charles Matteri, and John Matteri. When her father, Giovanni, passed,  Ann learned from an early age to help with many outdoor chores, including milking cows. Her mother married Elvezio Rosselli, when Ann was ten, and the family grew to include brothers William and Alvin Rosselli.

Ann graduated from Petaluma High School in 1934. She then went straight to work for the JP McNear family, whom she lived with while caring for their family and home. In 1936, she chose to further her education by attending St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in San Francisco. On a weekend visiting her hometown, Petaluma, Ann met the charming Santa Claus (John Broxmeyer), at Tomasini Hardware Store. She sat on his lap, and he couldn’t help but invite her to an upcoming dance. Even though the face behind the snowy whiskers remained a mystery, she eagerly accepted his invitation. They dated on and off for a number of years while Ann attended school, and by 1939 she had earned her degree in nursing. When John joined the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist’s mate in 1942, they stayed in touch. She worked as a nurse for a private practice, and on March 23, 1943, she enlisted in the Navy Nurse Corps, where she earned the rank of Lieutenant. She and her dear friend, Fran, were sent to Staten Island, New York, for several months and then Honolulu, Hawaii, where they were stationed at Aiea Naval Hospital. Amidst her eighteen-month station caring for injured soldiers, she and John continued to write letters to one another, when suddenly she received the most memorable letter from him to date—a marriage proposal. Ann was then transferred to Oakland and discharged on March 15, 1946. She and John married at the St. Vincent de Paul Church in Petaluma, on May 26th, that same year.

Ann went on to work as Head Nurse at the Sonoma County Hospital for fifteen years, and then became a Director of Children Services in the Public Health Department. After thirty years of working, she happily retired. Ann and John loved to travel, and enjoyed numerous trips to Australia, China, Egypt, Hawaii, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, Tahiti, Yugoslavia, and the East Coast. In April of 1994, our beloved Uncle John passed away, and Auntie Ann continued to travel with friends and family back to Italy, then to her most favorite place, Hawaii, where she participated in a reunion honoring World War II vets who were stationed in Hawaii following the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was a lifelong member of Petaluma’s St. Vincent de Paul Church, and in her adult life, Ann joined the Sonoma County Association of Retired Employees, as well as the Petaluma Women’s Club.

Auntie Ann was one of a kind, and extremely caring towards her nieces and nephews, whom she treated as if they were her own children. She constantly encouraged, guided, and inspired all who knew her. We are incredibly thankful to Auntie Ann’s caregivers: Maria Rodrigues & Cina "Dee" Saviri. They ensured that Auntie Ann lived out her final years in comfort, surrounded by love. Our Auntie Ann will be dearly missed, though we are blessed to have spent many joyous years with her, the memories of which will last forever. Fino a quando ci incontreremo di nuovo cara zia.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at PARENT- SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, Petaluma, with the Rosary at 5:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Family and Friends are also invited to attend the Funeral Mass, Wednesday, March 22nd, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 35 Liberty St. Petaluma, with entombment following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Petaluma or Petaluma Valley Hospital Foundation.

Visitation

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM 850 Keokuk Street Petaluma, California 94952 Directions Vigil Service

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM 850 Keokuk Street Petaluma, California 94952 Directions Funeral Mass

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

Wednesday, March 22, 2017 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 35 Liberty Street Petaluma, CA 94952 Directions