Libera Albertina Martinelli

7/30/20-1/13/13

Libera (Albertina) Martinelli was born on July 30, 1920 in Capannori, Lucca, Italy to Giuseppe and Eufemia Diodati.

She came to the United States on December 24, 1951, met Angelo Martinelli in 1952, and then married on March 4, 1952. They were married for 49 years and had one son, Lawrence Reno Martinelli.

Mom had a hard life in Italy, always said the best years of her life were being married to Angelo and being in America. She was an excellent homemaker, cooked wonderful dishes, and made special desserts.

She had a lovely voice which she used to sing at many birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions. Her favorite song to sing was “Arrivederci Roma”. It had never been sung, nor will it ever BE sung like she sang the song. She was a beautiful woman who will be sorely missed.

Libera was preceded in death by her husband, Angelo Martinelli; parents; and siblings, Dino, Vincenzo, Benito, Luciano, Maria, Isolina, and Danila.

She leaves behind one son, Lawrence Reno Martinelli; one brother, Carlo Diodati in Italy; daughter in law, Bridget Martinelli; grandsons, Giancarlo (Alysia) and Marcello (Delise) Martinelli; sister in laws, Della Trovato and Lydia Lobdell.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hinds Hospice, 410 W. Main St., Ste A, Merced, CA 95340; Mercy Hospital Foundation, 2740 M St., Merced, CA 95340; or to the Angelo and Albertina Martinelli Memorial Scholarship, C/O Merced Union High School District, 3430 A St., Atwater, CA 95301.

A visitation will be held at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B St., Merced, CA on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 3:00pm-5:30pm. Recitation of Rosary will be Friday, January 18, 2013 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Canal & 21st, Merced, CA at 7:00pm and Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Our Lady of Mercy at 11:30am.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.