Ann Marie Valena

Sonoma County native Ann Marie Pieroni Valena died peacefully on January 29, 2017 in Santa Rosa, just eight months shy of her 100th birthday.

Ann was born on September 22, 1917 to Italian immigrants Silvio and Clelia (Cinquini) Pieroni. She grew up on the family ranch in Occidental near Jonive and Occidental roads along with her older siblings Ida Fiori Gonnella, Angelina Bianchi and Frank Pieroni, all of whom preceded her in death.

Ann married Emil Valena on Sept. 11, 1937 at St. Sebastian Church in Sebastopol and they began their life together on a ranch on Pepper Road in Petaluma and later purchased a home at the mouth of Salmon Creek north of Bodega Bay after the arrival of daughters Marlene, Christine and Patricia.  They remained at Salmon Creek for 50 years, welcoming family and many friends for homemade ravioli and ocean adventures. Emil preceded her in death in 2006 after 68 years of marriage.

Ann worked at the Sebastopol Cooperative Cannery for many years, was a founding member of Bodega Bay Grange #777 and was active in the Women’s Guild at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Bodega.

Energetic and efficient, Ann maintained beautiful vegetable and flower gardens surrounding her home and walked along Salmon Creek Beach to Bodega Head and back at a faster pace than those half her age. She was always present for the important life events of her daughters and grandchildren, attending graduations, weddings and even witnessing the birth of a great-grandson.

She is survived by daughters Marlene (Wilbur) Black of Parma, Idaho; Christine (Walter) Leslie of San Carlos, Calif., and Patricia (Gus) Campbell of Granite Shoals, Texas; eight grandchildren,17 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Her grandson Tom Black preceded her in death.  In her final years, she was cared for with love and devotion by La Benesh, Beth Venable and Sera Mamafainoa.

The Rosary will be Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at Lafferty Smith Colonial Chapel, Santa Rosa.  Funeral Mass Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Church, Bodega, immediately followed by her burial at Druids Cemetery, Occidental.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider a donation in memory of Ann to Memorial Hospice/St. Joseph Health, 439 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA  95403.