Michelle Riebli

Michelle Riebli, 78, of Petaluma, passed away peacefully on November 3rd 2022 surrounded by family, after a short battle with Alzheimer’s.

Michelle was born on December 16th 1943 to the late Jim and Gladys Zaccagna. She moved to Petaluma as a young child, attended McKinley Elementary, went to middle school at Kenilworth Jr. High and went on to graduate from Petaluma High School in 1961. She married Frank Riebli, a local dairyman, on November 23rd 1963 in Petaluma.

Michelle worked as a Secretary Stenographer at Fort Mason in San Francisco, CA until it closed in the early 60s. When offered the opportunity to move to Washington, DC and work at the Pentagon, she turned it down. Her love of her husband, family, cows, farm life and the dairy business were her passions in life. Michelle and Frank were in the dairy business for over 30 years. After selling the business in 1991, Michelle worked at R O Shelling Grain & Feed, then Ramatici Insurance and finished her professional career at Sonoma County Water Agency, retiring in 2017 after nearly 10 years of service with SCWA.

Michelle was a straight-shooter with a goofy sense of humor. Her laugh could make an entire room laugh. She loved God, family, farm life, animals, music, gardening, singing, cooking, and supporting her daughter, Marie, in everything she did. Michelle enjoyed taking part and attending the many different events and activities Marie did in school, Martial Arts, 4-H and FFA and is fondly remembered as either a “karate mom” or a “barn mom” by everyone who knew her there. In more recent years, Michelle’s pride and joy was her granddaughter Frankie and spending time with her.

Michelle is preceded in death by her parents Jim and Gladys Zaccagna, her husband Frank Riebli and her sister Marla Gideon.

Michelle is survived by her daughter Marie Lemos and husband Michael; Brother Michael Zaccagna and wife Donna; Granddaughter Frankie Lemos; Godchildren Jim Riebli and wife Amy, Sharon Boccaleoni and husband John; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

The visitation will be held, Wednesday, November 9th 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 10th 2022, at Parent-Sorenson Mortuary and Crematory, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Muir Woods Memory Care and Hospice of Petaluma for their devoted care of Michelle. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Michelle’s name to Hospice of Petaluma, The Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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Visitation

Wednesday, November 09, 2022

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Vigil Service

Wednesday, November 09, 2022

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Funeral Service

Thursday, November 10, 2022

11:00 AM

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory