Madeline Marie Sordello Guglielmo, 88, stepped off the stage of this life on Sunday evening, July 15th, 2012, surrounded in her home by her adoring family. The memory of her spirit, strength, wisdom and love of life will live on through countless joyful memories.
Madeline was born February 8, 1924, in the Almaden Valley on the orchard ranch of her parents: the late Antone Sordello Marina Facchino Sordello. She was raised in this ‘Valley of Hearts Delight’ alongside her brothers Raymond and the late Antone, and Richard.
It was not until the age of 2 that she moved to Morgan Hill with her family where she worked and played alongside her lifelong friend Rosemarie Locarnini Silacci from kindergarden through 7th grade at Morgan Hill Grammar School.In Morgan Hill, she attended the Morgan Hill Grammar school until 1939, when her father purchased a ranch in Willow Glen and built the family home upon it.
Fostered along by her independent nature, Madeline helped maintain the property in Willow Glen as her family divided its time between their home in Morgan Hill and their home in Willow Glen.After her primary schooling in Morgan Hill, she finished out her high school years in San Jose. She was proud to be a member of the first graduating class of Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose. Upon graduation, one of her first jobs was across the street from the high school, working at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum during World War II.
Though many suitors charmed her, it wasn’t until the return of her childhood acquaintance from his WWII post overseas, George W. Guglielmo, that marriage bells rang in July of 1946. Madeline and George met in Morgan Hill, where George would spend his summers working at his parents’ winery. George became fast friends with Madeline’s brothers, and from there a spark was ignited.
Their marriage marked the beginning of a spirited fiery union that lasted 51 years.From this union came her three sons, George E., Eugene, and Gary. She raised them upon the winery grounds while working alongside her husband to help grow the family winery her in-laws began in Morgan Hill in 1925.
Today, the Guglielmo Winery ;now running for a third generation by her three sons;has become a Morgan Hill institution, hosting weekly weddings, festivals, and celebrations for the community.
Throughout her life she continuously nurtured and entertained countless generations of individuals. Years of offering rich food and delectable wine, long reminiscent stories, and deep heartfelt laughter fill the memory banks of those she touched; she charmed and humored everyone with a simple wisdom that will live on.
She is survived by her adoring family: her brother Raymond Sordello and sister-in-law Elaine Sordello; her sons George, Gene and Gary and their wives Janice, Laura Ginger; her 11 grandchildren: Cristina, Alisa, Michelle, Jennifer, Gena, Angelia, Jonathon, Michael, Alexa, Gregorio, Giuliana; and her five great-grandchildren: Isabella, Alexander, Lily, Kayla and Nicholas along with her many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
Services have been held. All donations appreciated to Saint Catherine’s Building Fund, 17500 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
Deceased’s funeral arrangements : Johnson Funeral Home
