Gloria Emilia Pennato

Gloria died peacefully at her home on August 24, 2016 at the age of 86. Born in New York, Gloria moved to beautiful Santa Rosa at a young age and graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1949. Upon graduation, she traveled with her parents to northern Italy to visit the country where her parents had immigrated from in the early 1920's. During her vacation she met her future husband, Guido Pennato, at the local pharmacy in a small town in the Alps. Gloria had a toothache and was looking for relief. The handsome man behind the counter charmed her, and three months later they married. Guido soon settled into his new life in Santa Rosa with his happy bride, became a citizen of the United States and was later drafted as a medic during the Korean War. While stationed in Germany, Gloria and Guido began a two year adventure through Europe and enjoyed many happy times with family and new friends. When the war ended, they returned to Santa Rosa, and after years of hard work purchased their first home. Their lives were full and they had many Italian friends who became their adopted family. Gloria often spent days preparing food for gatherings with their large group of friends. Music, singing and dancing were always part of the fun. Food represented love in Gloria's eyes, and she was proud of cooking her many special Italian dishes. Gloria and Guido started their family in 1957 with the birth of Linda (Sargent), and in 1961 they welcomed their second daughter Lori (Westerhold). Gloria missed having little ones in her home once her girls started elementary school, so she started her own child care service. For over 20 years, Gloria enjoyed taking care of and providing enriching experiences for many toddlers and pre-school children in her own home. She had a special way with children and they adored her. Once she retired from child care, she began to host food demonstrations at a number of Santa Rosa markets. This was a way for her to continue expressing her love for people and food. Gloria and Guido loved to travel with their daughters and together they explored and cruised to many wonderful places in the world. As the girls began their own lives, Gloria and Guido continued to cruise the world together. Ballroom dancing was their passion, and each night on their trips they danced the night away. They created many special memories on the more than 30 cruise vacations they enjoyed together, and they passed their love of travel on to their daughters. Their Italian heritage was very important to the family. Gloria and Guido were members of the Italian American Club, Italian Catholic Federation of St. Eugene's, Italian Cultural Club and the Druids. Later in life, Gloria spent many hours each day at home gardening and growing all of the Italian herbs and vegetables needed for the special dishes she prepared for holidays and Sunday meals. Gloria was a proud Nonni of her two grandsons, Zachary and Cameron (Sargent). They were her pride and joy and they cherish the many special memories they have of times spent with their grandparents. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Guido, after 61 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughter Linda and son-in-law Jeff Sargent, daughter Lori and son-in-law Robert Westerhold and her two precious grandsons, Zachary and Cameron Sargent. Gloria and Guido are now together in Heaven dancing to a beautiful Italian Waltz. Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Liturgy Service at 10am on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL (4321 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, CA 95409). Private entombment; Santa Rosa Memorial Park (1900 Franklin Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA, 95405). Reception to follow. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions in Gloria's name may be made to Hanna Boys Center. Funeral Service

Lafferty Smith Colonial Chapel

Saturday, September 24, 2016 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 4321 Sonoma Highway Santa Rosa, California 95409 Directions