Antonette Dalena

She attended Pershing Grade School, Central High School and Central California Commercial College 4 C's. She worked for various employers prior to her marriage to Frank Dalena whom she met while both were members of the Italian Catholic Federation. Ann and Frank were married on June 18, 1939 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. They were married for 67 years prior to Frank's death in 2006.

Ann and Frank were members of Our Lady of Victory Church where they were very involved with the fund raising and building of the original Church. She was a charter member of the OLV Women's Guild, where she served as Altar chairman and treasurer for many years. She was a member of the San Joaquin Memorial Women's Guild and the former Memorells Social Club.

Prior to Ann's marriage to Frank, she was a member of the Biola Chevrolet Girl's Softball Team where they won fifteen games and lost two in 1937. They were considered one of the Valley's strongest teams during the 1936 and 1937 season. Ann's best friend and sister, Gemma Valorosi, played first base and Ann played short stop.

Ann enjoyed sports and as her children and grandchildren participated in sporting activities she and Frank were there to cheer them on.

Ann loved working in her yard and was very proud of her roses. The neighbors always said the weeds didn't have a chance to see the light of day.

Ann returned to working part-time as the bookkeeper for A. Nonini Winery, retiring after 40 years at the age of 80.

The family would like to thank the sisters at the Nazareth House and staff, especially in the care center who gave Ann such loving care.

Ann was preceded in death by her loving husband, Frank; her parents; her sister and best friend; Gemma Nonini Valorosl; and her brother Reno Nonini.

She is survived by her daughter, Virginia; her son, Frank and his wife, Virginia; her five grandchildren and their spouses, Brian and Lisa Dalena, Joe and Heather Dalena, Anntonette and Jason Wood, Lucia and Ben Nicholson, and Gemma and Ryan Doglione. She is also survived by 13 great grandchildren, Frank, Ellie, Mac and Joe Dalena, Nicholas, Amelia, Luciano and Marcella Dalena, Francesca, Daniela and Gemma Wood, Josephine and Brian Nicholson. She is also survived by her brothers Gildo Nonini and Geno Nonini and his wife Margueritte, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair on Monday, January 7, 2013, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nazareth House, 2121 N. First St., Fresno, CA 93703 or to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 2850 N. Crystal, Fresno, CA 93705.