Nellie Pomo, wife, mother and longtime Burbank resident died peacefully at her home
surrounded by her loving family. She was 106.
Nellie was born in Wilmington, CA. The fourth daughter of an immigrant Italian family,
she was named Ninfa Felicita’, Italian for “nymph of happiness”. Over the years she
shared stories about her early days in Wilmington on the family dairy, including riding
with her family by way of horse and buggy. One day, as her mother Rose Giacopuzzi
was riding along in her buggy on the way to the store, she happened upon a neighbor
Mike Pomo and offered him a ride. That began a friendship with the Giacopuzzi and
Pomo families which endures today. Mike and his wife Rosie, running a larger,
neighboring dairy gave birth to their first child Mario Pomo, which would be Nellie’s
future husband. It wasn’t long after that, at age 6, Nellie and her family moved to El
Sereno, CA. It was at that time that her grammer school teacher started calling her
Nellie, which her teacher felt was more appropriate in America than Ninfa Felicita’, and
from then on she was called Nellie.
In 1923, Nellie’s parents John and Rose (Dal-Mas) Giacopuzzi purchased land in
Canoga Park to start the Giacopuzzi and Corbin dairies. The iconic dairies, a landmark
for many generations of Valley residents is now the site of Giacopuzzi Plaza on the
corner of Van Owen St. and Corbin Ave. As she worked milking cows at the dairy,
alongside her parents and sisters Marie, Allenta, Palma, Erma and brother Lindo she is
believed to have graduated from Owensmouth High School, now Canoga Park High.
After high school, for several years Nellie ran a beauty salon off the corner of Sherman
Way and Reseda Blvd. in Reseda. In addition, after her fathers death, she took over the
care of her aging mother for many years until Rose’s passing.
As the Giacopuzzi and Pomo families were friends and kept in touch, Nellie and Mario
Pomo began dating in 1939. After a ten year courtship, they married at Our Lady of
Loretto Catholic Church in Los Angeles. They settled in Burbank and remained in the
same home for the remainder of their lives.
Pursuing an active lifestyle, Nellie enjoyed horse racing as her brother Lindo owned
thoroughbreds. In addition, she was an avid golfer and long time member of the
exclusive Annandale Golf Club. She loved to spend time with her family while pursuing
these interests. Nellie was also known as an exceptional cook and cooked for her large
extended family events and celebrations.
In 1951, she gave birth to her only child, Johnny and naturally her life changed as her
world revolved around her little boy. Six years later, Nellie tragically lost her beloved
boy to a sudden overwhelming pneumonia. It was obvious to all that she never got over
the loss of her Johnny.
Nellie Pomo is preceded in death by her husband Mario and son Johnny. She is
survived by a large extended loving family of nieces, nephews and many grand nieces
and nephews.
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