February 27, 1921 – November 24, 2017
Sue Giottonini, age 96, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2017 in her home in Watsonville, California. She was born in Stockton, California, the youngest of five children. Her parents, Angelo Nomellini and Erina DaValle Nomellini, emigrated from Lucca, Italy, after spending several years in Argentina. Sue graduated from Stockton High School and attended Delta College excelling in art.
Sue met the only love of her life, John Roland “Rol” Giottonini, where they worked in a real estate office in Stockton. Sue married at 20 in 1941. She continued bookkeeping for Rol throughout their marriage. They had two children, John Robert and Mary Ann. In 1963, they moved the family to Aptos to be close to Rol’s home construction business. They loved living on Rio Del Mar Beach. In 1979, Rol died of a sudden heart attack. Sue was devastated but resilient. She became a real estate agent and worked for 20 years selling homes.
Sue was preceded in death by her four older siblings, Dante Nomellini, Anita Sanguinetti, Edith Godfrey and John Nomellini. She is survived by her children, John Robert Giottonini and Mary Ann Legan; son-in-law, Thomas Legan and two grandchildren, Thomas and John Legan.
She was a member of Resurrection Catholic Community. Sue had many talents and passions. She was an accomplished artist winning many awards for her bold abstract paintings in the 60’s and 70’s. After Rol’s death, Sue stopped painting. She concentrated her time on her real estate career. Sue was a wonderful Italian cook, bridge player and animal lover. In 1996, she moved to Larkin Valley in Watsonville where she had horses, dogs, cats, and even a bird. She will be remembered for being a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She was truly an inspiration. Sue will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her.
The family is grateful for the wonderful care she had at the end of her life. They thank Myrna’s Homecare team and Hospice of Santa Cruz County. They would like to give a special thank you to caregivers Luciano and Teresa Loma.
In honor of her memory, memorial contributions may be made to Santa Cruz Animal Shelter, 2200 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062 or a charity of your choice.
Private services were held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Mehl’s Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
