Violet Ponza passed away peacefully in her home in Arroyo Grande on September 17, 2018. She was 93 years old. Violet was born in April of 1925 in Watsonville, to Croatian immigrants, Anton and Tomazina Jercich, and graduated from Moreland Notre Dame Academy in 1943.
Violet was a wonderful homemaker and cook, and hosted many family dinners and get togethers at her home in Soquel. She worked for many years at Bank of America in Watsonville, then as a bookkeeper for Ponza Brothers Construction, a company owned by her late husband Anthony (Rob) Ponza, and his brother, Michael Ponza.
She and Rob moved to Arroyo Grande after their retirement to be closer to their daughter, and spent many years enjoying their retirement in such a beautiful area. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Arroyo Grande. She was preceded in death by her husband Anthony (Rob) Ponza in 2000, and her brother, John Jercich, in 2011.
Having grown up on a farm, Violet loved all animals. She especially enjoyed her daughter’s two Australian Shepherds, and took great comfort when they visited her in the hospital.
Violet is survived by her daughter, Joan Ponza of Pismo Beach; a brother, Anthony Jercich of Vacaville; a sister, Lillian Nielsen of Watsonville; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private, with entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz.
