Obituary - Visalia Times Delta

Ida Mary (Giotta) Romanazzi Ida Mary (Giotta) Romanazzi was born November 15, 1921 in Visalia, California. She was called by the Lord on September 9, 2014 and died peacefully at home with the love of her life by her side. Ida was the second child of Nicola and Carmela Giotta. She attended Washington Elementary School, Visalia High School and was a member of the first graduating class of the College of the Sequoias. She married her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence A. Romanazzi, June 18, 1944. Ida is survived by her husband of 70 years, Lawrence A. Romanazzi; two children, Donna Grist (husband Lynn) and Larry Romanazzi (wife Marlene). She leaves behind five grandchildren: Stacy Slinkman, Shawn Grist, Joshua Grist, Phillip Grist and Anthony Romanazzi, as well as 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Ida also leaves behind her cousins, Fausta Morea and Mario Laira of Putignano, Italy and other family and friends in Italy. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers (Vito, Pete and Louie), her sisters (Antoinette and Louise) and her precious grandson, Danny Romanazzi. Ida worked her way through college at the Packing House as a fruit grader and after graduating from COS, she was employed by the Tulare County Welfare Department. Ida started in the secretarial pool and worked her way up to Administrative Assistant to the Director. She retired in 1979 after 35 years. It was then that she and Lawrence began their many travels up and down the state of California for Sons of Italy and their numerous visits to family and friends in Italy. Ida's passion was the Order Sons of Italy which she joined in 1949. She was quickly elected Recording Secretary, an office she held for over 50 years. Ida also served a 4 year term as President of the Enrico Caruso Lodge of Visalia and held several committee chairs for the Grand Lodge of California. She was a member of the Tulare County Legal Secretaries, the Tulare County Retirees and a 50 year member of Catholic Daughters of America. Ida was part of the organizers of the Visalia-Putignano Sister City Committee and remained an active participant up to the last. Her love of family kept her in touch with relatives and friends throughout the world but especially those in Putignano and Porto Venere, Italy. The family would like to thank her doctors: Dr. Onsy Said, Dr. Dennis Johnson, the nursing staff of Kaweah Delta Hospital, Hospice and her caregivers from Hearts That Matter for their compassionate care. There was no job she was afraid to tackle; no party or event she left unplanned; no family or friend forgotten. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Enrico Caruso Lodge Scholarships & Charities. Visitation will be Monday, September 15, 2014 from 4pm until 6pm at Miller Memorial Chapel. Rosary will be prayed Monday, September 15, 2014 at 6:00pm at Miller Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 10:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Visalia. Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/visaliatimesdelta/obituary.aspx?n=ida-mary-romanazzi-giotta&pid=172436755&fhid=11308#sthash.YwqeIu4T.dpuf