Obituaries

Gerald F. Kelly, 77, of Sonoma, died Sept. 18, 2008 in Sonoma. Gerald was the husband of Audrey Kelly of Sonoma. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Korean conflict. He was a high school teacher in San Francisco. He traveled extensively during his life. He received his master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. He was a docent at Jack London State Historic Park for 18 years, and every year he demonstrated making adobe bricks at Petaluma Adobe events as well as candle making, bread baking, etc. at events at the Sonoma Mission and Barracks and in Fourth of July parades wearing his special Mexican soldier’s uniform. Gerald was a resident of Sonoma for 20 years and a native of Seattle, Wash. A private gathering will be held. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Sonoma.

Ethel Anita Albini passed away peacefully in her home in Sonoma in the early morning on Monday, Sept. 15, 2008. Beloved mother of Edward Paul Albini (wife Jackie Albini), Owen Donald Albini and Donna Jean Albini (husband Scott Pommier); grandmother of Ginger Crosby, Donna Lisa Knowles, Paul Albini, Anita Albini, Eva Bartlett and Danielle Albini; and great-grandmother of six children.
Ethel was a native of Sonoma, born on July 29, 1923 to Enrico and Anita (Chelini) Castagnasso, who preceded her in death. She lived in Sonoma her entire life, attending Sonoma Valley High School until her sophomore year, at which time she quit school to babysit, cook and clean house to help her family earn money. Although those were tough times, She loved to reminisce about swimming in Sonoma creek, roller skating and dancing with her friends.
In 1942 she married and became a homemaker, raising three children. She was a wonderful and loving mother who found time to work alongside her husband building and remodeling numerous homes in the valley. She was a hard and tireless worker all her life.
In her middle years Ethel enjoyed oil painting, gardening, cooking, bowling, bingo, gambling in Reno and trips with the Golden Age Club. Although she wasn’t too happy about flying, she had a wonderful time with the Golden Agers in Hawaii – the trip she enjoyed the most. She was president of the Golden Age Club for one term, participated in establishing the Vintage House Senior Center and also worked as a clerk for several years with the local Weight Watchers group.
As she grew older, Ethel continued her interest in cooking and gardening, tending to her garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, Swiss chard and Italian green beans. However, her main passion was raising and nurturing her collection of cymbidium orchids. In between pampering her orchids, she attended weekly Golden Age Club meetings, weekly bingo games at a local mobile home park and frequently visited with her friends at the local MacDonalds. Having given up driving on her birthday in 2005, She became known as “The Bingo Queen” – a nickname fondly given to her by the drivers at Vern’s Taxi.
Ethel will be greatly missed by all who knew her and forever cherished in he hearts of those who loved her. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, 525 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476.