Angie passed away peacefully at home surrounded by
loved ones after fighting a courageous battle with cancer for
one year. She handled this illness with so much bravery,
optimism, determination, strength and commitment to getting
well. That Friday morning, God knew best, the pain stopped
and an angel went home to live in eternal peace. She was 84
years old and lived a life full of love, happiness, kindness,
and generosity.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Marco and Maria Serra
of Palermo Sicily. She had two older brothers, and was
the eldest daughter of four girls, which meant she became
an excellent cook and caregiver. At the age of 18, they left
Detroit and moved to Pittsburg, California. Shortly after arriving,
she met two of the most significant people in her life.
One was her dear friend Dorothy Lamendola "Mouse" and
this began a lifelong friendship of 64 years. The other was
Sammy Cavallieri "Tiger" the love of her life for 62 years.
They met while she was working at the California Theater in
down town Pittsburg. The story goes that Sam and a friend
were walking by the theater when he saw Angie working in
the booth. He stopped and leaned over to his friend and said
"See that girl, I'm going to marry her". After a nine month
courtship they were married on September 27, 1947. In the
first five years of their marriage they were blessed with two
children; Sammy and Susan. Angie was a home-maker for
eight years, and then began a career with Safeway in 1961
where she worked for 29 years. Her friendly personality and
willingness to always help others is why customers would
wait in her line to be checked out rather than go to another
clerk. She was an excellent employee and an extremely valuable
part of the team. When she retired, she kept busy by
providing daycare for her great grandchildren, playing cards,
playing bocce and bunco, taking Yoga and aerobic classes,
and traveling with friends.
Angie was also committed to her faith, and was a member
of the Catholic Daughters and Young Ladies Institute (YLI).
She spent her life serving others, but none more than her
family. They were the most important thing to her. Everything
revolved around family from cooking Christmas Eve
dinners, planning for the annual "Serra" family re-unions,
baking cupcakes for birthdays, cookies for the holidays, to
dinner and movie night. She was the backbone for her family
and they could always depend on her love and support. To
know her was to love her, and we are all better for it.
She is preceded in death by her husband Sammy Cavallieri,
son Sammy Cavallieri Jr., sisters Rose Lujan and Katie Sampaolo,
brother Tom Serra, and granddaughter Kim Magana-
Ruiz.
She is survived by her loving daughter Susan Magana and
son-in-law Frank Magana, sister Maime Esposito (Charles)
and daughter-in-law Veronica Cavallieri; 7 adoring grandchildren
Nicole Castro, Nikki Reynoso (Tino), Frank Magana
Jr., Steve Gutridge (Margie), Maria Orozco (Junior), Gino
Gutridge (Carmalita) and Danny Gutridge (Taj); 10 precious
great-grandchildren Domenico Grossi, Heidi "cupcake"
Ramirez, Gino Carrera, Anicia Meschi, John Hartman IV, Anthony
Ruiz, Zachary Ruiz, Nicolaus "Nicky" Baxley, Franklin
Ruiz and Mylee Reynoso; She will also be greatly missed
by many nieces, nephews and dear friends which include
Dorothy Lamendola, Dixie Grossi, and Frank DeRosa "Mr. D".
A memorial service will be held at Pittsburg Funeral Chapel
on Friday July 27th at 11:00 am, and a reception to follow at
Delta View Golf Course (Wedge Wood Banquet), 2222 Golf
Club Road, Pittsburg. Come join us and celebrate a life worth
remembering.
If you can hear us…Mom, Nona, Sister, Auntie Angie, oldest
and dearest friend "Rabbit" we love and miss you more
than words can express. You had such a tremendous impact
on us, and the legacy you left will live on through the
lives you've touched. You will never be forgotten and your
memory will stay in our hearts forever. Until we meet again..
rest in peace.