Frieda Gloria Capellino was born on March 13, 1925 in Placentia, CA at her grandmother’s home to Guadalupe George Ralph Manzo and Frieda Cecelia Kuhn. She always joked that she was a ‘witch’ because she was born on Friday the 13th. She certainly cast a spell of friendship and love around all who knew her.
She was raised in Redondo Beach, Ca with her 3 sisters Rosie, Esther, and Genevieve and her 2 brothers George and Gilbert. Growing up she often spent time with her mother’s family in Placentia, Ca. In her teenage years she worked at the Citrus Packing House in Orange, Ca. alongside her aunts for extra money for the family. She mentioned that some of the crates were shipped overseas to American soldiers, and she would include short letters of encouragement and friendship in them. Frieda attended Redondo Union High School and it was there that she met the love of her life, Jimmie Capellino. One of her high school teachers set her up on a blind date with him. To say she loved him at first site would be an understatement.
She graduated high school in 1944. Soon after, on December 8th, 1944 Jimmie entered the navy. The two kept in touch via love letters while he was stationed overseas. Frieda kept busy by visiting family, working at the local movie theater and also at a warehouse that manufactured textiles. They resumed their relationship when he was honorably discharged June 25th, 1946 due to a head injury suffered during the course of his deployment on Okinawa. Jimmie and Frieda were married in November 1947 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On July 24th, 1948 Jimmie Michael Capellino (Mike), their first and only child was born. Frieda was ecstatic to be a mother and looked forward to having a large family like the one she grew up with, but shortly thereafter received information that she would not be able to have any more children. As can be imagined, this information was devastating. However, Frieda was strong and resilient and began to gather an extended family through close relationships with her nieces, nephews, and her son’s friends. This continued throughout her lifetime and she became the Neighborhood Nonie, one who always had a hug, smile and if needed, the threat of a whack of the wooden spoon to keep the kids in line. She spoiled the children with treats and they always felt that they could come to her when they were in need.
Throughout her lifetime, Frieda helped support Jimmie in his financial endeavers, from working at the family business, Manor Poultry, to helping run a diner in Balboa, to hosting dinner parties for his clients as he branched out into the business world. Her favorite job, however, was the care and raising of her son Mike. Every event, whether big or small she was there to cheer him on; from sports games, first communion, to watching him surf down at Manhattan Beach, she was always there for him. She also loved all of her nieces and nephews, keeping throughout her lifetime every card, first communion notice, marriage and birth announcement she was sent. Her family meant everything to her.
Jimmie and Frieda settled in their business home on Artesia Boulevard in Torrance California. Here, Mike attended North High School and met Donna Martin. After graduation, Mike married Donna on July 12, 1969. Not long after, Frieda’s first grandchild, Dawn Rochelle was born on February 3rd, 1972. In October 24th 1974, her second grandchild, James Anthony (Tony), was born. Frieda was thrilled because now she had even more family to dote on.
On November 16, a little over three weeks later, tragedy struck the Capellino family when Jimmie died of a heart attack. Shortly thereafter, Frieda suffered from an acute gallbladder event, which caused her to be life-flighted to San Fransico for emergency surgery. Her recovery was slow and it was during this time that her son encouraged her to move from her home in Torrance to Yorba Linda, only a few miles from his home in Placentia. She lived there for over 20 years, watching and helping her grandchildren grow up.
Just like with her son, Frieda was Dawn and Tony’s biggest fan. She attended all of their baseball, softball, and football games, performances and graduations. She kept every newsletter, article, leaflet, pamphlet or memento that she could get her hands on. She felt that her grandchildren were amazing and loved every bit of being a part of their lives.
While in Yorba Linda, Frieda had time to develop hobbies that she couldn’t when she was helping her husband and raising her family. She was an avid gardener, growing the most beautiful roses. She loved to cook and eat, mostly Italian or Mexican food. She was on a bowling team for several years with Donna. Together they also tried their hand at tennis and belly dancing. In the background of it all was music. Frieda loved all kinds of music, from big band legends like Tommy Dorsey, to crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, to the folksy music and variety of The Lawrence Welk Show, pop music featured on America’s Bandstand as well as the R & B artists featured on Soul Train. Every note of music would set her feet to dancing.
Most of all, however, Frieda loved to visit Las Vegas, Nevada. She loved the city with all of it’s glitz and glamour. She loved the music of the shows, the food she could savor, and the sound of a slot machine with a big payout. She never won a hug jackpot, but for her, it wasn’t about the money, but rather the experience that was Las Vegas.
Frieda was a devoted Catholic and loved the church with all of her heart. She would pray every morning and every evening for her friends and family, that God bless them and guide their path. She loved to read about the miracles of the saints, and was especially drawn to Mary, the mother of Jesus who she would dedicate her rosary prayers to. She exhibited Catholic values, in that she was generous with her love, time and her money, giving to those who were in need or for those that she determined needed the support.
Frieda was predeceased by her husband Jimmie Capellino, her sisters Rosie and Esther, her brothers George and Gilbert, her son Mike and her grandson Kyle. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Donna Capellino, her grandchildren Dawn Godfrey and Tony Capellino, and her great grandchildren Codi Capellino, Taylor Culp, Troy Culp and Sophia Godfrey. She will be missed by her nieces and nephews that she loved as her own, as well as their children and grandchildren.
A funeral mass for Frieda will be held Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM at St. Clare Catholic Church, 1950 Junction Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747. A small reception will be held following the funeral mass at St. Clare’s Morris Center from 12 noon to 1 p.m. There will be a graveside service from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Calvary Cemetery, 7100 Verner Avenue, Citrus Heights, CA 95621 following the reception.
In her later years, Frieda suffered from vascular dementia which is a disease that not only affects the patient but the loved ones caring for them. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in her name to The Dementia Society of America. Their website is: https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate
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