Mary Genevieve Bagatta was born August 16, 1933 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The youngest of the four children of Francisco and Marie Da Costa. Known as Genn to her friends and family, she worked in the typing pool at Sharpe Army Depot in Lathrop in the late 1950’s. It was there she met the love of her life, Richard Bagatta. It was the beginning of a love story for the ages.
They married on November 26, 1961 and began living in Brooklyn, New York. They welcomed their children, Gina Johnston (Ben) and Christopher Bagatta (Jackie), during the first few years of their marriage. In 1970 they made their first of three cross-country moves between New York and California. Each move was a wonderful family adventure full of laughter (and a lot of wrong turns) that allowed them to visit 32 states by the time they returned to California in 1977.
Despite having no experience in the floral industry, Genn and Richard bought Manteca Floral in 1978. For 35 years they worked side-by-side serving the community with love and so much laughter. Genn loved her work and her customers. Whether she was crying with a customer who had lost a loved one or celebrating a new grandchild, she was the backbone of the shop. Over the years she became a second mom/ grandma to many of the employees of Manteca Floral. Known for her loving ways and ability to stay calm in any situation, she always made you feel that no matter what was worrying you, it was all going to be all right…and she was usually right.
Genn was a loving and wonderful grammy to Kate Cardoza (Travis), Joel Johnston, Thomas Bagatta, Ronnie Neely, Steven Neely (Nicole) and Victoria Bagatta and five great-grandchildren (and one great-grandpup). She adored all her grandchildren and was so incredibly proud of each of them.
Genn and her honey bunch, Richard, celebrated their 59th anniversary recently doing what they loved best being together. Not a day went by that they didn’t say “I love you” to each other. Each day was filled with laughter and every once in a while Genn getting in a good zinger or two! They spent her last weeks talking, remembering, laughing and holding hands. She passed peacefully in her sleep on December 9, 2020 with Richard at her side. She will be remembered as someone who was kind, loving, intelligent, sometimes sassy, always adorable and, as Richard says, one hell of a woman.
P.L. Fry is honored to serve the Bagatta family. All services will be private. Donation may be made to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
They married on November 26, 1961 and began living in Brooklyn, New York. They welcomed their children, Gina Johnston (Ben) and Christopher Bagatta (Jackie), during the first few years of their marriage. In 1970 they made their first of three cross-country moves between New York and California. Each move was a wonderful family adventure full of laughter (and a lot of wrong turns) that allowed them to visit 32 states by the time they returned to California in 1977.
Despite having no experience in the floral industry, Genn and Richard bought Manteca Floral in 1978. For 35 years they worked side-by-side serving the community with love and so much laughter. Genn loved her work and her customers. Whether she was crying with a customer who had lost a loved one or celebrating a new grandchild, she was the backbone of the shop. Over the years she became a second mom/ grandma to many of the employees of Manteca Floral. Known for her loving ways and ability to stay calm in any situation, she always made you feel that no matter what was worrying you, it was all going to be all right…and she was usually right.
Genn was a loving and wonderful grammy to Kate Cardoza (Travis), Joel Johnston, Thomas Bagatta, Ronnie Neely, Steven Neely (Nicole) and Victoria Bagatta and five great-grandchildren (and one great-grandpup). She adored all her grandchildren and was so incredibly proud of each of them.
Genn and her honey bunch, Richard, celebrated their 59th anniversary recently doing what they loved best being together. Not a day went by that they didn’t say “I love you” to each other. Each day was filled with laughter and every once in a while Genn getting in a good zinger or two! They spent her last weeks talking, remembering, laughing and holding hands. She passed peacefully in her sleep on December 9, 2020 with Richard at her side. She will be remembered as someone who was kind, loving, intelligent, sometimes sassy, always adorable and, as Richard says, one hell of a woman.
P.L. Fry is honored to serve the Bagatta family. All services will be private. Donation may be made to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, December 12, 2020
