Wanda Patricia Mcauliffe

Wanda was born in Reno, Nevada on January 3, 1941, to Kathryn (Bass) Proctor and Melvin Proctor.

Kathryn remarried Santo “Sam” Mancuso in 1945, when Wanda was 5. She was the oldest of 3 children. Soon after Kathryn and Sam’s marriage came along brother Joe Mancuso, and sister Caroleen Mancuso. The first part of Wanda’s life started in Susanville, CA where she was raised on and off the historical Bass Hill Ranch in Janesville, CA where her mother (Kathryn) and her siblings where raised. Wanda held a special spot in the hearts of her aunts, uncle and cousins had so many precious memories she loved to tell. Wanda attended Lassen High School until her sophomore year in 1956, when they moved to Cottonwood, CA then to Anderson from Susanville, CA. She Attended Anderson Union High School, where she was active in her schools performing art classes, she performed in school plays, took tap dance lessons, but her passion was art. Her artistic talents have been displayed in Susanville, Anderson and Cottonwood. Wanda also attended the Catholic Youth Organization where she met her husband, Jim McAuliffe. Jim and Wanda were married on January 2, 1960, when they were just 18 years old by Father Albright at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anderson, Ca. Jim and Wanda had soon thereafter had their first-born daughter Patricia, and soon came Son Sean, Daughter Deidre, Son James (Jay) and Son Todd.

After getting married they lived out on Gas Point Road on the historical family ranch known as the McAuliffe Ranch, with their kids. They would move twice a year from California to Oregon with the cattle. Soon after that Jim and Wanda started McAuliffe Livestock Inc. where Wanda played a key role in helping expand the business. They spent the last 10 years enjoying their summers on the coast in Trinidad, CA where they shared their love of fishing, camping, and still going on dates together to the movies. They just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on January 2, 2022.

Wanda’s greatest joy was having all her family together telling stories and laughing. She was the matriarch of the large family her and Jim created. Wanda was known for her brilliant imagination, love of animals, wonderful sense of humor, laughter, her beauty, class, and grace, her fine eye for interior design and crafts, cooking, her immense love for her family, and mostly for the amazing costumes she handmade, one which included an alien mask made from the pelvis of a cow. She put her heart and soul into everything she did. She will forever be known in her family for her love of hiding and scaring people, telling jokes and pulling pranks! She touched the lives of so many and turned any stranger into a friend.

Wanda was preceded in death by son, Sean. Father Santo Mancuso, mother Kathryn Mancuso, special aunt Edna Conoy, Uncle Rawlin Bass, Uncle Bobby Bass, Aunt Marylyn Bass, Uncle David Bass, Uncle Kenny Bass, Harry and Tee Chiarello, Josephine and Dominic Chiarello, Rose and Charlie Tallerico, and Dominic Mancuso.

Wanda leaves behind her beloved husband Jim of 62 years. Daughter Patricia (Gary), daughter Deidre, son James, son Todd (Shawna). Grandchildren Ryan Graham (Tiffany), Faren Miller (Phil) , Seanna Grant (Wesley), Caitlin Reilly, Kinzie McAuliffe, Quincy McAuliffe (Jess), Shaye McAuliffe. Brother Joe Mancuso, and loving sister Caroleen Gover. 6 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Catholic Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anderson CA on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 10:00 am. Reception will follow at the Parish Hall.