Minnie Ann Corda

We want to share with you that Minnie Corda passed away after 99 years of a very full life on September 7, 2026, at her new home at Springfield Place in Petaluma.

Minnie and her twin sister Martha Maffia Caletti were born to Italian Immigrant parents, Pietro Maffia and Mary Dominica Brambini Maffia, on the family dairy farm on Lakeville Highway on May 27, 1927, along with her twin sister, Martha Maffia Caletti. One of 11 children, she often told stories of the simple, but very loving, life they all shared. When she and Martha entered Lakeville School, English would become their second language. She told stories of shoes that did not fit, but being grateful to have any. Christmas stockings with a piece of fruit, a nut and maybe a candy cane if you were lucky. When WWII became a reality, her older brothers enlisted to serve their country. At ages of 12-14 years, Minnie, her sister Martha and younger brother, Pat would therfore milk the cows before and after school every day. In her later years, a rheumatologist told her that all those years of milking cows by hand had contributed to her arthritic hands and pain. Their loving mother made sure they always had dresses, pants and coats for school by raising turkeys that she sold to residents of San Francisco.

Minnie graduated from Petaluma High School in 1946 and soon married her sweetheart, Ernie Corda in 1946. She moved to the Henry Corda Ranch in Chileno Valley and began her life as a dairy ranchers wife. She cooked meals for the family and 10-20 hired help, cleaned house, tended the gardens, graciously cared for visitors and became a mother to 4 children in 5 years.

She learned this larger role as the quintessential rancher’s wife from her dear mother-in-law, Edna Corda. From the day she married Ernie, she became the woman who cared for everyone and treated everyone with dignity and respect. Visitors were always welcomed with a cup of coffee, a meal, or certainly some of her famous baked goods and some to take home as well. Her father-in-law, Henry Corda, cherished her for all that she brought to his ranch. She was known for her desserts and so many special dishes. Ernie would often request one of her special cakes to share with his hunting buddies, and she would always oblige. Once her children entered school, she was an active member of the Marin School PTA. She was instrumental in the formation of the Petaluma Little League when her son started playing baseball and was involved in Nicasio 4-H as a sewing and cooking leader. She was a life member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, North Bay Dairy Women, Marin Sonoma Italian Club and a devoted parishioner at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Petaluma. She became an advocate for the Dairy industry as she worked right beside her husband, day and night, to care for their cattle and ranch. She would help with the milking, go fix breakfast, bathe, put on her high heels and lipstick, then get onto a bus full of local women storming the California State Capitol to advocate for the Dairy Industry. Tragedy would strike when she lost her husband, Ernie, in a tractor accident. Not to give up, she continued to operate the dairy with her two sons, Hank and David until 1988.

After ending the dairy operations, she decided to attend night school at Santa Rosa Junior College so she could learn how to write Italian and communicate with her relatives in Italy. As fate would have it, that twinkle in her eye caught the attention of her instructor, Gino Paieri. They became companions and traveled together for many years, primarily to Italy. Minnie lived at her Chileno Valley home for 80 years until health issues determined she needed more help. She then moved to Springfield Place in Petaluma. She made many new friends there and with her curious nature, she learned where they were from, how many children they might have and where they had traveled. She adored her helpers at Springfield as they helped her continue to look and feel beautiful every day. She absolutely had a heart full of love. As she was getting ready to pass on to the eternal life, she wanted to be sure that “all my babies how much I love them”. She unconditionally loved everyone. There is so much more to say. She drank a glass of milk 3 times a day, got her hair styled weekly, brought food and comfort to grieving families, had a beautiful rose garden, loved to dance and always had her lipstick on. Her family will tell you, “She worked so hard in her lifetime, but never complained”. Please think of at least one special memory you have of Mom, Grams, Great, Auntie or Minnie and lock it in your heart. You were so privileged to have been a part of these 99 wonderful years with Minnie Corda.

Minnie is predeceased by her parents, Pietro and Mary Maffia, siblings Oliver (Leo) Maffia (Bobby), John Maffia (Ollie), George Maffia (Eda), Louis Maffia, Katie Maffia Fomasi (John), Elsie Maffia Hansen (Glenn), Martha Maffia Caletti (Al), Domingo (Pat) Maffia (Carol), brother-in-law Gene Cristani, sisters-in-law Esther Moreda and Eleanor Avilla. Also predecease by her loving husband, Ernie Corda, Sons Henry and David Corda, Sons-in-law Tom Siebe and Gary Collins, companion Gino Paieri. She is survived by her sisters Genevieve Mazzetta (Clarence), Alice Cristani, daughters Carol Corda Siebe, Nancy Corda Collins and daughter in laws Karen Corda and Kathe Corda. Grandchildren Jennifer Martin, David Siebe (Janet), Meredith Leask (Josh), Angela Veath (Blake), Brandee Corda (Angelo) and Ginger Corda Hermsmeyer (Danny). Great grandchildren Ethan Henderson, Alexandra and Kobe Bierotte, Audree and Lucas Leask, Trevor and Ernie Hermsmeye, and Cora and David Veath, numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family Justin, Jordan and Avielle Cynor, Mark Bierotte, Jill Collins, Stacey Ross, and Lindy Serper.

Her family would like to extend their gratitude to all staff at Springfield Place, Hospice of Petaluma (especially Jenna) and Acclaim Care Providers, who cherished her and tended to her in her final moments with love and care.

We will celebrate Minnie’s life with a visitation on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 4-6pm at Parent Sorensen Mortuary, 850 Keokuk St, Petaluma. Funeral Mass Friday September 18, 2026, at St Vincent Church, 36 Liberty St, Petaluma. Reception to follow at Elks Lodge, 2105 South McDowell Blvd, Petaluma.

Donations may be made to the North Bay Dairy Women Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 750155, Petaluma, CA 94975; Marin Sonoma Italian Club Scholarship Fund c/o 6033 Blank Rd, Sebastopol, Ca 95472; Providence Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, CA or the charity of your choice.