Carli succumbed to injuries suffered in an automobile accident
last Friday involving two vehicles on Union Road.
HOLLISTER
Hollister residents have fond memories of Cathy Carli such as her many local interests and involvement with special-needs children in San Benito County.
Carli succumbed to injuries suffered in an automobile accident last Friday involving two vehicles on Union Road.
“She was such a giving, kind person,” said Carli’s sister, Marian Shaffner, “and this is such a difficult time for her grieving husband and for her twins with Down syndrome.”
Shaffner was referring to the couple’s daughters, Alessia and Catia Carli, and noted how she was “very involved” with Down syndrome research.
“And she was always taking loving care of her two little girls while she was running the winery at the same time,” said Shaffner.
Carli and her husband, Alessio Carli, who is also the head winemaker at Pietra Santa Winery, opened Alicats Winery in 2006. The relatively small winery’s products are sold at dozens of local and Bay Area markets and the business features an award-winning Syrah.
When not busy holding tastings or delivering wine, Cathy Carli spent a lot of her time working with the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation in Palo Alto.
“She was incredible, a huge supporter of our foundation, always smiling and very warm and kind to everyone,” said Naeem Salaam, the research center’s executive director. “She was so proud of her husband’s achievements and her daughter’s progress. When we would talk about advances in cognitive research for those with Downs syndrome, she would just glow as she thought and spoke about her twins someday leading more independent lives.”
Salaam noted that the Carli sponsored the foundation’s last two events at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, providing donations of time and money.
Nancy Maclean, a neighbor and longtime friend of Carli, underscored her community involvement.
“She was passionate about painting, bringing in professional and amateur artists and working with local landowners so the artists could paint local scenery,” Maclean said. “She was also very involved in local special needs children’s families. She would make sure everyone was connected with the correct agencies and had all the current information.”
Maclean highlighted what everyone seems to say when describing Carli.
“She was so kind, a ray of sunshine with a big heart and time and a smile for everyone.”
Friends are invited to a memorial Mass and a celebration of Cathy Carli’s life at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Old Mission San Juan Bautista at 2nd & Mariposa streets in San Juan Bautista.
