Merced Sun Star
Dec. 19, 2007

 

Mary Etta Sacchetti, loving wife, devoted mother, adored sister, grandma, and great-grandma, passed away on Sat., Dec. 8, 07 at the age of 79 following a period of declining health.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Adam, by 5 weeks. Life felt empty to her and each day was difficult without him. Mary and Adam celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 7 of this year.

Mary is survived by her children Steven Sacchetti and wife Mary-Carmen, and Joni Imberi and husband Mickey. Mary loved and adored her grandchildren, Kristi Olivares and husband Abe; Jenny and Melissa Imberi, Bianca and Stefani Sacchetti, and only great-grandchild, Abraham Olivares. She is also survived by her deeply loved sister, Ruth Tarkington and husband, Venson; two brothers Mattison Louis Brown and Bill Brown and wife Evelyn; sister-in-law Pierina Hamilton and husband Ray; and many nieces and nephews.

On Feb. 12, 1928, Mary was born in Heber Springs, AR. At the age of 16, she moved to Merced, CA. Mary worked at the Blue Bird Cafe and met Adam. She also worked as a waitress at the Pine Cone and Branding Iron Restaurant. Mary and Adam owned and operated the Fly In Cafe at the Merced Airport with their dear friends, Don and Dee Schwartzfager. Alongside her husband, Mary operated a successful antique and rental business. They moved to Seattle, WA for 10 years and returned to Merced in 1997.

Mary enjoyed traveling in her and Adam's motor home and she loved to square dance. She avidly followed genealogy, tracing her ancestry back to the late 1700's. She enjoyed making new friends and knew no stranger; guests were always welcome at her house. She also enjoyed sharing stories about her childhood and family. Mary had a passion for animal rescue and was a member and volunteer of the Merced SPCA. Mary also enjoyed spending time by her fish pond and walking her beloved dogs. She was a devout Catholic and always put God first. Mary took great pride in her family; she had a generous heart and will be sadly missed.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Rosary service held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Merced on Fri., Dec. 21, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow on the same day at 9:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She will be laid to rest during a private family burial at Los Banos Cemetery next to the love of her life, her husband, Adam.
In lieu of flowers, Mary would have wanted donations to be made to the Merced SPCA, P.O. Box 929 Merced, CA 95341.