Olga Iris Franchini Martin

Olga Iris Franchini Martin passed peacefully in the arms of her daughter, Jeanette, at her residence in the Carlton Plaza, on June 18, 2014 at 5:10pm. She joins her husband, George, brothers, Rino and Franco and parents, Enrica and Bartolomeo in Heaven. Olga was born on April 14th, 1923 to loving Parents in what was then the sleepy little Italian town of Serramazzoni, in the Province of Modena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 28 mi west of Bologna and about 19 mi southwest of Modena, Italy. She is one of four children born to Bartolomeo and Enrica Franchini. They include two brothers, Rino and Franco and a sister, Vivianna, who tragically died at two weeks of age. Among Olga's many natural abilities as a child was a love for climbing trees and riding her bicycle throughout the hills and towns in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, with sister in law Ilva, and other girlfriends. She was known to bicycle up to 70 miles of hilly terrain in a single ride. Olga came from Italy to the United States in 1949 at the age of 26. Within the first year of her arrival in Chicago, Illinois she was destined to meet her lifetime mate and husband of 46 years, George William Martin. By some hallmark of divine intervention Olga ended up at her first baseball game and who should be sitting a few rows in front of her but George with another women. Olga began tossing a few popcorn kernels, apparently hitting George on the back of the head, gaining his attention and the rest as they say, is history. George and Olga were married on April 7th, 1951 and began their family in 1952 ultimately moving from Chicago to sunny San Jose, California in 1959. They became the proud parents to six healthy children to whom they were devoted. Olga was a most loving and beloved Mother making certain that each of her children were dressed warmly and had a yummy homemade lunch bag to take with them to school each and every day. She hand knitted warm mittens, slippers and sweaters for each of her children and sewed beautiful new dresses for her girls. Every evening we were treated to a different and glorious Italian dish, which she would spend hours-on-end creating. Olga was the consummate loving Mother and World Traveler, making it her personal goal, after the passing of her beloved husband George in 1997, to escort each one of her children on a one-on-one adventurous trip of a lifetime, which included journeys throughout Europe, New York, Oregon and Alaska. Memories I know we shall always remember. In recent years Olga decided to take up painting and her first painting of Flowers was not a beginners work but reflected a natural talent that amazed all who were gifted to see her creations. Since that first painting in the early 1980’s, she has completed well over 100 Artworks many gifted to each of her children and also gracing the walls of her home. There is much more to this blessed life than I can share here but those that have met Olga will know that Love surrounds her and the Love she has nurtured in each one of us, her Children, will always be treasured and never be forgotten. She is survived by her six loving children Michael, Dennis, Vivianna, Patrick, Rico and Jeanette. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014 from 5-9PM with Rosary beginning at 6PM at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10AM at Queen of Apostles Church, 4911 Moorpark Ave. San Jose. Interment to follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln St., Santa Clara.