September 10, 1929 - November 1, 2021
Anne Edith Pedretti Looney passed away peacefully on Monday, November 1, 2021.
Anne was born on September 10, 1929, the second child of Ben and Nina Pedretti and her elder brother Guido. Her parents immigrated to California from Gordona, Italy, a small community in the Northern Italian Alps, in 1914 and 1920 respectively. Anne’s lifelong passion for music and the Catholic Church were instilled in her from these Italian roots.
Anne was born and raised in Chowchilla, California, and from an early age enjoyed playing music, singing in the choir, and participating in activities at the original St. Columba Catholic Church.
She graduated from Chowchilla Union High School in 1947, then attended San Jose State and was married shortly after to James Pierce Looney on November 27, 1949. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage together until Jim passed in 2012. Anne supported Jim in his work dairy farming, ranching, and raising cattle, and together they raised four daughters. Anne actively encouraged her daughters many activities including piano, dance, sewing, 4-H, band, and riding horses. In their retirement, Jim and Anne traveled extensively in their R.V., playing golf, square dancing and visiting relatives and friends across the country.
Anne treasured the time she spent in Italy with her welcoming Italian family. Community service was also important to her; she was the first woman elected to the Chowchilla High School board, frequently taught children about God and music and visited those in need of company. She was a devout, lifelong Catholic with a deep sense of faith. In 2011, Anne was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Benedict XVI for outstanding Christian activity in recognition of her many years of service as a musician at St. Columba Parish.
In 2015, Anne moved to Chico, California with her beloved dog, Texie. There she lived in an independent residence walking Texie around the lake, making new friends and as an avid reader, checking out books from The Terraces’ library.
Anne cherished her family and friends. She is survived by four daughters, Janice Hanna of Chico; Ginger (Phil) Lozano of Fresno; Carol (David) Medeiros of Denair; and Beth Looney (J.D. Tadlock) of Pilot Point, Texas. She also leaves nine beloved grandchildren, Aaron Schuh, Nick (Nicole) Hanna, Breanne (Scott) Haselton; Trisha (Aaron) Studt, Karyn O’Hagan; Dustin and Danielle Medeiros, Rachel (Jesse) Tomko; and Justine Pombo; and ten great-grandchildren, Zackary, Logan, and Payton Studt; Tanner Schuh; Henry and Declan Hanna; Kolten and Knox Haselton; Lennon and Beau Tomko.
A Rosary will be held Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 4:00P.M. with a Funeral Mass the next day, Monday, November 22, 2021 at 10:00A.M. Both services will be held at St. Columba Catholic Church, 213 Orange Avenue in Chowchilla, CA. The interment will be held at 9:00A.M., November 22, 2021, prior to the mass at the Chowchilla District Cemetery, 23359 Road 14 1/2, in Chowchilla, CA. Services have been entrusted to Palm Memorial Worden Chapel in Chowchilla, CA. Father John Fluetch will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to a charity of your choice.
