Elizabeth “Bette” Ann Dei Rossi of Ripon passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 8, 2012 in Modesto due to heart failure. Born on November 26, 1928 to Frank and Ann McPartland, Bette grew up and attended schools in Oakland, CA. She met her husband Walter Dei Rossi at a dance in San Francisco and married on April 16, 1950. During their 62 years of marriage they lived in San Francisco, Oakland, San Carlos, and Ripon.

During the last twenty-three years Bette and Walter lived in Ripon growing delicious table grapes. She would often work with Walter on the ranch harvesting the grapes early in the morning. Bette is survived by her loving husband Walter Dei Rossi, her children Gary Dei Rossi and his wife Kathy of Manteca, David Dei Rossi and his wife Cindy of Campbell, and Cathy Anderson and her husband Art of Ripon, her grandchildren Kyle Dei Rossi and his wife Erica of Stockton, Stuart Anderson and his wife Leslie of Visalia, Matt Dei Rossi of Chico, Megan (Dei Rossi) Jagelka and her husband Eric of San Francisco, Kristen (Anderson) Cornista and her husband Mike of Box Elder, South Dakota, Kelsey Dei Rossi of San Jose and Steven Dei Rossi of Austin, Texas. She has nine nieces and nephews whom she cared for deeply. All will miss her kind heart, gentle spirit and enduring strength.

Bette was a quiet person who loved being with her family, people watching, eating ice cream, and traveling the world. She and Walter visited six continents and over 35 different countries. In her youth she was trained as a beautician and when her children were in school she worked as a teacher’s aide in a special education classroom for the San Carlos School District.

A funeral mass will be offered in her honor on Wednesday, July 11th at 1:00 at St. Patrick’s Church, 19399 E. Highway 120, in Ripon. A private gravesite ceremony will be held at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo overlooking Half Moon Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to the “Make a Wish” Foundation to provide a child the opportunity to go to Disneyland or Disney World where she loved to visit. Donations can be made via the internet or by phone at: www.wish.org/help/donate or 1-866 880 1382.

An online guest book is available for condolences at www. deeganfuneralchapels.com (Search Obituaries).

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Wednesday, July 11, 2012