Grace "Gracie" Seganti

Our beloved Grace Josephine Seganti passed away at age 90 at Colorado Lutheran Home in Arvada, Colorado on July 9, 2016 of natural causes. She was not ill, she did not suffer, she simply passed in her sleep.

She was born March 26, 1926 as Gracia Valentino in Denver. Her parents were Valene Valentino and Mary Cornicello, both born in Italy. Grace had two sisters, Josephine and Caroline.

She was married to Ralph Vendegnia and had two children, George and Patti. She was again married to Edward Seganti, who passed away in 1996

Grace finished school through the 12th grade. She was always in the food business, which wasn’t a surprise because of her amazing cooking. She lived most of her life in Wheatridge at a house we all remember and love located at 33rd & Ames. The whole family: kids, grandkids, cousins, aunts, uncles, you name it – can remember gathering for holidays and Sunday dinners every week. You would pass by Papa Ed (Big Ed) sitting on the porch and enter the beautiful antique-decorated upstairs to the smell coming from the basement. As we made our way downstairs to MeeMee’s apartment, you could smell the Delicious aroma lingering up the stairwell. We just knew Gram was cooking something amazing.

Gram’s biggest achievement was her strong bond with her family. She loved having everyone around. I think we can all agree her biggest disappointment was not ever hitting a million dollar jackpot up the hill. Although, if she would have won, she would have been broke within a month because she would most certainly have shared it with everyone. She was very generous and loved to boast about her winnings, but always made sure everyone “got a cut” as she would put it. She actually won quite a bit, and we all commented now and then about how we wish we could have her luck!

She was very well-known in Wheatridge for her Chuckwagon restaurant called “Mex-Italiano” located just east of 44th& Kipling. She had the best chile rellenos in town! It was hard to decide whether to get the rellenos or the Italian sausage sandwich! People would see her on the street and say “HEY don’t you own that little chuckwagon restaurant?!” They could always recognize her because of her beautiful BIG white hair (that she took MUCH pride in). She would have her hair done every single week by Loretta for 40 years – she would NEVER EVER miss a hair appointment for anything. It was one of the most important things for her, and I know all us grandkids can remember her sitting on the couch “pinning her hair” before bed.

She is survived by her son, George Vendegnia (wife, Teresa) who reside in Wheatridge, her grandchildren Deana Vessa (husband Frank) and great grandchildren Juliana, Dominic, Anthony, Sienna , Trisha Marzano/great grandson Travis (18) Jodi Marzano/great granddaughter Gianna (16), Brittney, Brandt (husband Nick), and great grandchildren Sabrina (16), Jeremy (13) Connor (12), Hailey (11), Ella (4), and Jessica Brown (husband Landon).

She is predeceased by her husband Ed Seganti, daughter Patricia Marzano “Patti”, sister Josephine, and many friends throughout the years, all of whom will be watching over all of us now.