Tributes

Marion Tocchio passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the age of 94. After a long, full, beautiful life she is now at peace, and forever in our hearts. Mom was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on August 12, 1925 to her loving parents Joseph and Grace Cipriano; she was the oldest of three siblings. Her “baby brother” passed away the day after her, and since she was always protecting those she loved, everyone knew she picked him up on the way to Heaven so he wouldn’t have to make the journey alone. Her family was always her priority. Our mom married our dad, Octavio “Otto” Tocchio on July 4, 1956. They always laughed saying they got married with a bang! They had two daughters, Tama and Maria. They moved to Fresno in 1960. Mom grew up surrounded by many friends and relatives, but in Fresno she knew no one. So, she quickly made Fresno home by filling our lives with our many dear friends that make up our extended family. Being very supportive of the community she lived in, she became very active with many different organizations, whether it was being president, or a member of the board. Some of these organizations were: Faculty Wives (CSUF), Symphony League, Infant of Progue, Los Ninos, St. Agnes Guild and the list goes on. She worked in retail at Rhodes, Liberty House and Rodders in sales and management. She also helped with promotions, fashion shows, and any other activities she could. Mom was very spiritual, getting the nick name “Mother Marion” because we all felt she had a direct line to God while praying. She loved the Holy Spirit community where she made lifelong friends. Our mother loved to travel; she could pack two weeks of clothes in a carry on! On one occasion, she broke her foot two weeks before a trip to Europe and that wasn’t going to stop her, so she bought sturdy boots and explored as planned. Needless to say, her favorite saying was, “And this too shall pass!” She loved a good book, pasta (she made the best sauce), her glass of chardonnay, taking long walks, a good game of Bridge with friends, and sunsets. It was not uncommon for her to call and tell you to go outside and look at the sunset describing the colors. She is proceeded in death by her parents, our dad, her sister and brother. She leaves behind her daughters, Maria Tocchio, Tama Gilbert and her husband John Baker, her grandsons Nathan Gilbert and his wife Arynne, Spencer Meindersee and his wife Destine Vega, Morgan Meindersee and his girlfriend Irma DeJesus. Her great grandsons, Maximus Meindersee, James and Sullivan Gilbert, and many nieces and nephews and our extended family. We would like to thank all the people at Hinds Hospice for their love and support for our mom and our family. Your patience and kindness, when our world was falling apart, meant a lot to us. A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 355 E. Champlain Avenue in Fresno, on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. A reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Nancy Hinds Hospice or Fresno State University Women’s Association Scholarship Fund. Thank you

Tributes

Marion Patricia Tocchio

August 12, 1925 - September 22, 2019