Marietta Perino

On May 9, 2016 Marietta Perino, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed from this life into her resurrected life with the Lord. Marietta was born on May 12, 1920 in Pittsburgh, PA to Charles and Mable Knapp. She was one of eight children, along with her four sisters and three brothers, all of whom have preceded her in death.

In 1938, Marietta graduated from Langley High School and promptly enrolled in a rigorous, three year nursing school program at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. In 1941, she earned her nursing degree and began working full time as a registered nurse.

With World War II fully underway, Marietta met an Army orderly named Anthony Perino. In January 1945, they married in Pittsburgh. After Tony’s service ended, they relocated to his hometown of Boston, MA in 1947 where Marietta continued her work as a nurse at Mount Auburn Hospital. By this time, they had added to their family with the birth of their son, Nicholas Charles Perino.

In 1954, Marietta, Tony and son Nick moved to Modesto, CA where Tony’s mother and father and several Tony’s brothers and sisters had relocated earlier. Marietta’s nursing career continued at what was then known as Scenic General Hospital, first as an RN on “C” Ward, then as a Head Nurse of the ward, followed by another promotion to RN Shift Supervisor, and culminating as the In-service Coordinator for the entire nursing staff. Her illustrious career spanned forty one years, and she was highly respected by nurses as well as by physicians who came in contact with her.

In California, Marietta and Tony added to their family with the birth of their daughter, Nancy (Perino) Stephens and their son Anthony (Tony) J. Perino Jr. The joys of her life continued with Nick and his wife Janice and grandchildren, Mark and Julie, Nancy and her husband Danny and grandson Matthew, and Tony and his wife Lynda and son Brandon. The devotion and attention from her children is beyond question as they respectfully and faithfully cared for her until the end of her life. Her caregivers, in particular, Tracie Gada along with Jill, Janet and Reita will be forever appreciated for their loving attention to Marietta’s well-being.

Adding to Marietta’s happiness was having her grandchildren Mark Perino (Sara) Julie Perino and Matthew Stephens, as well as her great-grandchildren, Dominic, Chase and Sophia Perino visit her frequently. Her entire family was a great source of comfort to her, especially when she lost her husband Tony in 2005.

On Monday, May 16, 2016, at 12:00 noon there will be a “Celebration of Life” memorial service for Marietta at Centenary United Methodist Church on the corner of McHenry and Norwegian in Modesto. Immediately following the service, there will be a reception at The Seasons Restaurant at 945 McHenry Avenue. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 1911 Toyon Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350.