Vincenza Marchese

Vincenza Marchese, known as Zina by everyone who loved and knew her was born on October 14, 1919 in St. Louis, Mo. Her parents were Matteo & Maria (Accetta) Russo from Italy. She was the youngest of 5 children, Phyllis, Tony, Natale and Mickey.

As many of those in her generation, she graduated from 8th grade then helped out at home doing household chores while her brothers worked. In the 1930’s she traveled to Holy Hill, Wisconsin with her parents and brother Mickey to pray his seizures would be cured. While in Wisconsin, her cousin, Marty, introduced her to Carlo Marchese. Thereafter, they began writing letters to one another and were married on January 2, 1944. She then moved to Wisconsin and was a housewife and also worked at an ammunition plant during the war.

She adopted Lucy Ann (born Dec. 6th) on March 2, 1950 and adopted Mary Jo (born Oct. 11th) on January 7, 1956. In 1961 she returned to work icing cakes at Crestwood Bakery. She retired at age 62 and in 1989 she decided to move to Phoenix, AZ with her husband Carlo, daughter Mary and grandson Charles, to be near Lucy, Bill and their children. Therefore, she was also closer to her family in California. She lost her loving husband, Carlo, on Nov. 23, 1997.

She loved to cook, especially Italian food. She would start planning in July to make ravioli and spidini for Christmas. She enjoyed Bolio Rolls with her meals because according to her Arizona did not have the right kind of Italian bread. She would have to make trips to California to get grated Italian cheese because Arizona did not have the right cheese either. She enjoyed bowling in her younger years, having card parties and dinners with their friends. She enjoyed all the Italian weddings and was the first to dance and the last to dance. She liked going to the casino, bingo, church and church functions. She was the star cook at the Spaghetti Dinners at Sacred Heart Church in Wisconsin. She was a devout Catholic and always remained true to her faith.

She was always happy, active and ready to go. She loved making trips to California and Lake Havasu to see family. She loved going on cruises and always wished to go to Italy. She loved her Friday Fish Fry and it became a weekly event at Padre Murphy's. Her favorite place to shop was Sprouts and afterwards a trip to McDonalds for Frappuccino Mocha.

She is survived by her daughter, Lucy, husband Bill Frank and her daughter, Mary, husband Glen Coberley. Grandchildren, Bill Frank, Jr., Christine Price, husband Kevin Price, Charles Peterson and Michael Medley. Great grandchildren, Billy Frank, Mason Stewart, Shaun Peterson and Sabin Price. Step grandchildren Matt Coberley and Jenelle Coberley (deceased). Two sisters-in-law, Jenny Russo and Grace Marchese and many nieces and nephews. She was loved by all and many others thought of her as a mother figure or their Nana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 donations must be marked to “donation department, Building #1"

Arrangements under the direction of Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center, Sun City, AZ. 623-933-0161