Marjorie Ann Chiesa
A memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday for Marge Chiesa who passed away unexpectedly on November 21, 2008 at her Aptos home. Her sudden departure cut short her miraculous rebound from a cardio-pulmonary illness last year. Born in Gilroy, California, she was 63 years old. Marge has been a resident of the Santa Cruz area for the past 26 years.
Marge was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Community in Capitola and volunteered many hours on various church commissions and committees. She will be remembered most for her generosity of spirit. She received much joy in helping with the “Giving Tree” organization and had a deep caring for all children. Her compassion for people and those who could not help themselves created a wonderful role model for her daughters, whom she loved most of all.
Her family will forever cherish her enthusiastic delight in celebrating all holidays, big and small. Her passion for fun extended well beyond the holidays; she needed no excuse for a party – “Happy Friday” being one of her favorites. However, the celebrations she cherished most were those involving the successes of those closest to her. She loved the Sound of Music, parades and marching bands, fireworks, roller-skating, jet skiing, Haagen Dazs ice cream and popcorn. A perfect day always began with “sleeping in”, followed by lunch with friends, Gayle’s “mixed grill – blue plate special” for dinner and ended with Johnny Carson (later replaced by David Letterman.) Marge truly believed that Disneyland was the happiest place on earth and found no need for existence beyond the ride “It’s a Small World.”
Marge is survived by her daughters, Marina Sousa of Aptos, and Ronda Sousa of Chico. She also leaves her mother, Dorothy Chiesa, who resides part time in both Aptos and Gilroy and her sister, Carolyn Chiesa of Aptos. She was predeceased by her father, Margiorino “Midge” Chiesa. Marge leaves behind numerous loving cousins, countless friends and an extended church family. Marge’s childlike wonder was contagious, resulting in extremely special relationships with many children who will truly miss the affection and special attention of their “adopted grandmother”.
The memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 28th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (435 Monterey Ave.) in Capitola, beginning at 2:00 P.M. Committal services will be private. The family asks that any kind acts of charity be made in Marge’s name to Salesian Sisters School – Scholarship Foundation (605 Enos Lane, Corralitos CA 95076).
