Veronica Frances Gelardi

Born on December 28,1947 in Marin County, California, Ronni lived a life brimming with devotion to her family. She is survived by her son Nick Foy (Natalie) and grandchildren Theo and Nora; daughter Hillary Dickman (Scott) and grandchildren Brynn and Callie; niece Kristin Lewis Hurvitz (Philip) and great-nieces Antonia and Leontine; sister Joyce Ferreira; and brother Pasquale Gelardi. Ronni was predeceased by her beloved daughter Lindsey Janine Foy on May 31,1999 and her best friend and brother, Frank Gelardi, Jr. in 1974.

After graduating from the University of the Pacific, Ronni dedicated her life to caring for her family. Her resilience was tested many times, including after losing her brother early on, and then enduring her daughter Lindsey’s serious illness which resulted in a life-changing disability and decades of gritty, emotional challenges. Through it all, she continued to seek joy in the midst of profound sorrow.

Ronni’s greatest gift was her knack for knowing people and making them feel cared for. She was a fantastic listener and enjoyed helping her friends and family troubleshoot their problems, big and small. Her sparkling smile, the way her face lit up upon greeting everyone she came in contact with, and her funny nicknames (Noradorable and Brynnstermeister are two of our favorites) made people feel special and loved. Nicknames were often accompanied by songs she created and sang, songs which she continued to sing even when we only rolled our eyes in response.

While her children were young, she was a tireless volunteer and advocate. She offered her time and talent across a wide variety of roles, from schools to swim team, and always supported the staff and coaches in meaningful ways. Her selflessness and gift for joyfully giving ignited in her children a steadfast spirit of service and generosity.

Ronni loved music, and could often be found in the front row at live shows enjoying the soulful and brass-filled classic rock sounds of Toto, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, and Huey Lewis & the News, among others.

Ronni’s California gardens were her sanctuaries, places of meditation and quiet reflection. Most mornings started out in the backyard with hose in hand, still in her slippers and bathrobe, smelling her roses, pressing lavender and rosemary between her fingers to release that heady fragrance, and inspecting the soil for the latest gopher hole. The backyard was her refuge to breathe and find tranquility, but it was also an outlet for her boundless creativity and curiosity.

Ronni was a lavish gift giver, and she’ll be remembered for showering affection through unforgettable rituals like her legendary overflowing Christmas stockings and piles of gifts that would multiply exponentially under the family tree and across the living room floor. Her holiday spreads often included mounds of Dungeness crab, fresh artichokes, and extra-sour San Francisco sourdough bread.

She created beautiful, comfortable spaces where friends and family could enjoy each other's company over a strong cup of coffee or a cold beverage (or both). Her grandchildren could let their creativity run wild with their grandma’s bottomless stash of craft supplies, and a kitty or two could always be found lounging on the furniture. Ronni’s eye for art and design lives on in her granddaughters, and her love for animals is alive and well in her grandson.

More recently, Ronni lived vicariously through her oldest granddaughters who offered their location details to her as they traveled the world, allowing her to track their daily movement. She’d check her computer for their whereabouts, then send them messages seeking more details. Occasionally she’d mistake a train station for a police station, but she was always happy to have a reason to connect with them, no matter where they were in the world.

While heartbreaking losses were an ever-present part of Ronni’s life, her unwavering compassion, resilience, and gift for connection continue to shape the lives of those who loved her most. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind at (https://tlc4blind.org/donate-1) or the Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence at Levine Children’s Hospital (https://www.atriumhealthfoundation.org/kidney/).