Mary Angela Saladino

Born October 16, 1928 in Fresno, California, Mary Angela Saladino lived an active and full life.

As the youngest of five children and only daughter, Mary was beloved by her older brothers and parents. Mary shared many fond memories of her childhood on her parents dairy farm in Fresno. Her favorite memory to share was of the nights her father would drive her into town, after a long day of work, to make sure Mary had the chance to enjoy the community dances while he slept in his truck.

Dancing was just one activity she participated in during her high school years. Mary was also active in her high school choir, theatre, and sports teams. She was a natural athlete and, in the late 1940s, was recruited to play on the All-American Girls Baseball Team. Not ready to leave her family, Mary remained in Fresno, where she met the love of her life – Gene Saladino, whom she married in 1947.

Mary loved to recount the day of her wedding – noting that everyone in town contributed food, Dick Contino, a famous accordion player and cousin, performed with his band and she danced the night away in complete bliss.

Early on in their marriage, Mary and Gene had two sons – Douglas and Rodney – and the couple worked at the family’s grocery store with Gene’s brother and sister-in-law – Donald and Anna.

Being the independent woman Mary was, however, she decided to pursue her own career in banking and ended up working as a bookkeeper for Produce Markets in San Francisco and then Oakland, retiring at 70.

Gene’s career in insurance took the family to five different locations in California. Happily, there was a career change and the family moved to Castro Valley for the next thirty years. In the early 1980's the couple relocated to Alamo.

While living in Alamo, Mary was active with the St. Isidore’s Catholic Church where they helped establish the parish’s “Classic Club.” Mary would manage the kitchen preparations for the night's dinner, yet still look stylish when she was ready to join the diners. Mary was also a greeter at the church. A job that allowed her magnetic personality to shine.

After Gene’s passing in 2006, Mary re-discovered her love of dancing and could be found at different big band concerts with her many girl friends. She was also an expert at black jack and regular winner at Bingo. Mary's other passion was shopping. A birthday or holiday could not go by without a trip to Macy's to search for sales and new outfits. She taught her granddaughters how to find a bargain through creative tactile maneuvers, a skill she used with utmost efficiency.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Gene, son Rodney, her brothers, John Envernizzi (Ester), Nat Envernizzi (Marge), and Milo Envernizzi, brother-in-law Donald Saladino and sister-in-law Anna Saladino.

Mary is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Douglas and Janet Saladino; her three granddaughters – Caryn Hotchkiss (David) , Staci Saladno, and Tina Saladino (Brett Higham); three great granddaughters – Olivia, Giuliana, and Chloe; and one great grandson – Giovanni who is expected to arrive very soon.

Even at 95 years young Mary was always ready to go anywhere, looking as if she just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Her love for her family was undeniable and her role as the matriarch revered. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society in memory of Mary A. Saladino.

A private funeral service will be held graveside in Fresno, California.