Carmaline Rose Toledo Giotta

Carmaline Rose Toledo Giotta was born on November 12, 1924 in Tipton, California.She was the 5th child of eleven to John Gonsalves and Carmalina Toledo. Her siblings affectionately nicknamed her "Maxie" because of her olive complexion. Maxie and her siblings were raised on the Toledo Ranch where they learned to work hard, laugh often and cherish family time. The Toledo family was admired for their family values, generosity, and fun-filled home. This way of life shaped Maxie as a woman, wife, mother and grandmother and set the standards for her to live by.

Maxie married Jack Bettencourt in 1944 and soon had two beautiful children - Barbara Rose and Johnny Lee. But it was on March 9, 1955, when Maxie married her life-long love Pietro Giotta. Pete courted Maxie for several years before winning her over with his loyalty, devotion and love for her, Barbara and Johnny. Pete adored his beautiful bride Carm from that day forward. As a family, they moved to Ivanhoe in 1955 and worked together in the first family business, Save Mor Market.

Pete and Carm traveled the world together, including Western Europe, China, Japan, Australia, Egypt, Israel, Greece and much of the U.S. They were famous for their "Tour of Italy." They visited Italy over 20 times with family and friends and it was a treat to see the country from their perspective.

In addition to traveling, Pete and Carm also shared a love for music and dancing and were seen at least twice a week on various dance floors or stages across the Central Valley. They loved to entertain including their lip sync versions of "Football Widow" and other country favorites - costumes and all. Carmaline also performed at Toledo/Giotta family reunions and events with her sisters as The Andrews Sisters, Sister Act and other great oldies. She was never one to look for attention but put her on a stage with music and a microphone and she would steal the show!

Pete and Carm were dedicated to the Sons of Italy Enrico Caruso Lodge and spent hours laboring in the hall and kitchen and enjoying the events and activities. Carm was known as the "lead server" and delivered thousands of plates of pancakes, spaghetti and lobster. Pete and Carm embodied the spirit of the Order and cherished the life-long friendships that developed over almost 60 years of active membership.

Whether as Maxie, Carm, Mom or Grandma, people blessed to know Carmaline share many of the same fond stories and feelings. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and her beauty radiated from her warm smile and open arms. She taught us to be kind, to be accepting of others and to care for those in need. She taught us to cook, to clean, to dance and to sing out loud. Now as our angel with golden wings, Carmaline will continue to be our role model for a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests contributions to American Quality Life Hospice, 5323 W. Hillsdale Ave., Visalia, California 93291 or to your favorite charity.