Mabel Domenica Brocchini, 86, entered into rest on November 29, 2012 in Sacramento, CA. She was born on October 19, 1926 to the late Joseph and Chincy Rose DeMarco in San Jose, CA. Mabel was an only child but grew up surrounded by loving cousins all throughout the San Jose area.
Mabel started her life in San Jose as Mabel Domenica DeMarco. There she stayed until her junior year in high school when her family moved to Manteca to gain employment in the canneries. Mabel attended Manteca High and in 1942, she met the man of her dreams, Aldo Brocchini. In 1947, they married and built their dream home that she would live in for the next 65 years. Together, Aldo and Mabel were ambitious and adventurous. In 1949, the newlyweds opened a little hardware store in Manteca, the “Hardware Mart”. In partnership with Aldo’s brother, Albert Brocchini and sister-in-law, Rina, the four of them put in many long hours together and established a thriving business. The store (later known as Ace Hardware) was an icon in Manteca for 51 years before closing in 2000. For years, Mabel could be found wrapping presents at the Hardware Mart during the Christmas season. In 1974, they spread their wings and opened Accent Carpets in Tracy, and then a few months later, they opened a second one in Manteca. Mabel didn’t take life or their businesses for granted. She knew that she had a civic duty to her little town of Manteca, and then took that responsibility to a new level. The most notable title that Mabel held was that of Manteca Chamber’s “Special Events Committee Chairman” for more than 25 years. That committee was a special task force that got things done. They put on community events such as the July 4th celebration, monthly industrial tours, Operation Christmas, the Miss Manteca Contest, and were the founders of the annual Manteca Christmas Parade. She put together prayer breakfasts, spear-headed efforts to widen the 120 Bypass, and implemented the Manteca Ag Tours in an effort to let people know about the agriculture in the area. Mabel “lived and breathed” Manteca. She held a key to the city, was named the “First Lady of the Year”, is in the Manteca Hall of Fame, has been Grand Marshal in the Christmas Parade, and even has a Community Service Award named in her honor. For the past 20 years, Mabel was a charter member and volunteer for the Manteca Historical Society.
In addition to being civic-minded, Mabel Brocchini was the most loving and kind woman that you could ever meet. She LOVED having friends and family in her home. Whether it was feeding 5 or 50 people, she was a fabulous cook. For more than 30 years, she hosted an annual Mother’s Day BBQ that started out with 10 people and grew to more than 100. In those same years, she held a yearly Easter Egg hunt for family and friends of all ages. On any given night, you could find Mabel and Aldo sitting with friends and family playing Canasta around the kitchen table. Any activity that involved her loved ones made her happy. Probably some of Mabel’s favorite times of the year were spent in Aptos. Each summer for more than 30 years, she rented a home on the beach and welcomed her family and friends to share time with her. There, she took long walks on the beach, played Scrabble, roasted marshmallows, drank margaritas on the deck, and spent time laughing and making new memories. Her love for her family is a legacy that she will leave for all that knew her.
Mabel was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Aldo Brocchini. She
leaves behind her three loving children; Marvin Brocchini and wife Barbara, Janet Thornton and husband Michael, Lori Mackey and husband Lloyd, all of Manteca. She was also blessed with seven caring grandchildren; Lynda Brocchini, Julie Minton, Angela Silvera, Michael Thornton II, Shelly Simpson, Allison Mackey, and Aaron Mackey. Mabel also enjoyed the pleasure of her 10 great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Tim, Zackery, Jacob, Logan, Parker, Dylan, Sophie, Alexander and Julian.
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Brocchini Family. A Rosary/Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 505 East North Street in Manteca. Burial will be private at St. John’s Catholic Mausoleum in Escalon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Manteca Historical Society, P.O. Box 907 Manteca, CA. 95336. For condolences to the family, please visit Mabel’s online guestbook at www.plfryandson.com (search obituaries).
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, December 1, 2012
