Mary Sue Ferretti (93), a beloved lifetime member of the Madera community, died peacefully at her home on Friday, September 8, 2017. Mary, and her twin sister, Bina, were born to Rose and Augusto Boitano on March 27, 1924.
After graduation from Madera High School in 1942, Mary went to work for Shebelut Chevrolet where she met the love of her life, Sergio Ferretti. Sergio, a local farmer, found every reason to come by and visit Mary. They wed in 1945 and had three daughters. When Sergio passed away in 1962, Mary devoted her life to raising their girls and looking after the family farm.
Mary's innate charm made her the perfect employee and volunteer. She worked for Robert's Jewelry Store, Maiden Lane Dress Shop, and many will remember her as the hostess of Lucca's Restaurant. Active in the community, she was a member of the Young Homemakers, Italian Catholic Federation, Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, Madera Community League of Volunteers, and the Madera Historical Society. She gave her time to the Hinds Hospice Thrift Store and being fluent in Italian and Spanish, she volunteered at the polling places for county elections.
A woman of faith, Mary was involved in various Catholic organizations. Her love of singing led her to become a longtime member of the St. Joachim's Church Choir.
Mary was warm and funny and her laugh was infectious. Whether she was cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 25, playing cards with "The Girls" or baking biscotti with her great grandchildren, she was always happiest when surrounded by family and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Augusto Boitano,
her husband Sergio Ferretti, her brother Joseph Boitano, her twin sister,Bina Boitano, sister-in-law, Emily Boitano and her granddaughter Alyssa Gordon.
She is survived by her daughters: Nella Mastagni and her husband Philip of Modesto, Ca , Marigene Gordon and her husband Michael of Fresno, Ca, DeAnna Ferretti of San Ramon, Ca, grandchildren: Michael Mastagni and wife Colleen, Greg Mastagni and wife Christine, Monica Gordon Randall and husband Stewart, Eric Gordon and wife Danielle, Dawn Ewing O'Rourke and her husband Michael, great grandchildren: EvelynRose Mastagni, ScarletRose Mastagni, Demetrius Vinson, Grace Randall, Stewart Randall III, Samuel Gordon and Claire Gordon.
She will missed by her many loving nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Mary’s “guardian angels” who cared so lovingly for her with exceptional dedication during her illness: Grace Hernandez, Nancy Nieto, Mary Guererro, Stephanie Cabada, and Purification Alcaras.
Visitation for friends and family of Mary Ferretti will be from 2:00-7:00 pm, followed by a Vigil Service with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Ave, Madera, CA, on Thursday, September 14, 2017. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joachim Catholic Church, 401 West 4h St, Madera, CA, on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 11 am.
Remembrances may be made to the St. Joachim Church Mosaic Restoration Fund, 401 West 5th St, Madera, CA, 93637 or Madera Historical Society, P.O. Box 150, Madera, CA 93639.
