Dolores Ratto Martin, of Sonoma, beloved wife and mother, passed away at home early Dec. 15, 2008 after a lengthy illness. She was born Jan. 15, 1934.
Daughter of the late Frank and Gertrude Ratto, Dolores was born and raised in San Francisco and attended St. Monica’s, St. Rose Academy and San Francisco State, where she studied music.
At the age of 21, she met her future husband, Les Martin, while working as a teller at American Trust in the City. The story goes that all the other tellers made bets as to how long it would take him to ask her out. They married in November of that year.
In 1989, after raising a family on the Peninsula, they relocated to the town of Sonoma, where they both enjoyed the natural beauty and friendliness of their new home. Dolores continued her involvement in the Italian Catholic Federation at the local branch #103. She was a person who got things done, and held various volunteer positions in the ICF through the years. A devoted volunteer at Sonoma Valley Hospital, she was also a member of the Sonoma Women’s Social Club and Catholic Charities.
Family was of paramount importance to her. Dolores readily identified with her Genovese heritage and loved all things Italian. She lost her parents early on and idolized her father, who was a banker. She took after him in many ways, and often referred to herself as the “banker’s daughter.”
A loyal friend, she enjoyed socializing, community events and dinner dances. She was especially fond of cruises and travel with her husband and friends. A favorite trip was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation cruise to Italy with her husband. A devout Catholic and Eucharistic Minister at St. Leo’s Church, Dolores found it especially meaningful to have had the opportunity, while in Rome, to attend a Mass offered by Pope John Paul.
She is survived by beloved son Kevin Martin of Belmont, daughter Christina Nelson and son-in-law Gregor Nelson of Healdsburg, cherished brother Frank Ratto of Mill Valley, sister-in-law Ruby Engstrom of Citrus Heights, brother-in-law Dale Martin of Roseville and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. on Jan. 15, on what would have been her 75th birthday, at St. Leo’s Church in Sonoma.
Inurnment will be private. Arrangements are by Duggan’s Mission Chapel. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to a charity of choice, to Hospice By the Bay or to the American Cancer Society.
Death Notices from Duggan’s Mission Chapel
King, Truman, 79, of Kenwood, died Dec. 5, 2008 in Kenwood. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Chiriboga, Katherine, 80, of Sonoma, died Dec. 3, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Johnson, Inez J., 91, of Sonoma, died Nov. 27, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
La Marr, Dennis Wayne, 43, of Eldridge, died Nov. 27, 2008 in Sacramento. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Hazard, June Louise, 83, of Sonoma, died Nov. 25, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Homan, Donald A., 55, of Sonoma died Nov. 24, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Germany, Carolyn Lucile, 53, of Eldridge, died Nov. 19, 2008 in Eldridge. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Ingraham, Marvin, 73, of Sonoma, died Nov. 15, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Vaitonis, Ronald J., 57, of Sonoma, died Nov. 12, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
Snyder, Lorine E., 91, of Sonoma, died Nov. 11, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.
Currier, Karin Louise, 47, of Sonoma, died Oct. 23, 2008 in Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel. Final disposition: Mission Cremation Service.
