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obit for Mary Piva of Challis, Idaho

obit for Mary Piva of Challis, Idaho

tigerlily =';'= (View posts)
Posted: 14 Dec 2003 3:47AM GMT
Classification: Obituary
The following obit is here with permission of the Challis Messenger, in Challis, Idaho.

Mary Celestina Yacomella was born April
23, 1913 and entered into rest December
1, 2003 at her home in Challis. She was
born to Celesta and Marco Yacomella at
their home on the East Fork of the Salmon
River near Clayton, Idaho. Mary lived on
the ranch at East Fork with her parents,
her siter, Netta, and her two brothers,
George and Frank. She attended school
on the East Fork through the eighth grade.
After finishing eighth grade, she stayed
home and helped at the ranch.

At the age of 19, Mary went to California
and spent time with her cousin, Remy and
family. Upon her return to Idaho, she worked for various businesses and
people in the Clayton and Challis areas.

After a brief courtship, she married Marion Piva on December 15, 1942.
They moved to Challis and lived on the lower Piva ranch until they moved to
their home on Challis Creek Road. Three children were born to this union,
Frankie, Julian and Gary. She kept busy raising her kids and taking care of
Marion. She was always there for her family, cooking, cleaning and taking
them to school dances, movies and sporting events. They always managed to
find time, however, to dance. Mary and Marion loved to dance. They could
be seen dancing the night away at the IOOF or the Grange Hall while the kids
slept on the piles of coats left on the stage. She always worried about her kids
and would never go to sleep until she knew they were all home.

Mary was a friend to everyone and especially those who had none. Her kids'
friends were always welcome at the house no matter what time day or night.
Mary took in boarders and babysat to make ends meet. No one ever left her
house hungry. Mary made sure her family had three filling meals a day that
always required half an hour resting/napping period after eating because there
was so much. In her later yars, she could often be heard asking her children,
grandchildren or guests if they were hungry or needed anything to eat over and
over again. "Mangia, mangia" was her mantra.

Mary loved her church and her rosary. She had crucifixes and rosaries all over
her house and faithfully went to church.

Mary's driving was a cource of entertainment for everyone in town. People
would see her car coming down the middle of Challis Creek Road where she
would stay, her head barely showing between the steering wheel and the top
of the dashboard. She had about one speed, "slow," maybe 20 miles per
hour.

Mary loved to play cards. Mary and Marion belonged to the Country Club
Pinochle group where they often got into bidding wars with each other when
they were on opposing teams. In her later years, she often kept her caretakers
awake playing rummy into the wee hours of the morning.

Her caretakers (Beverly, Kathy, Kim, Terri, Amy, Cheryl, Mimi, Carol,
Elaine, Kristi, Deb, Mary and Sue) enabled Mary to stay in her home when
she required full time attention. And when Mary was acting up, we could
always count on Dr. Jim as the threatened enforcer. These people gave her
back much of the love and care she had given to so many others throughout
her life. To them, we are eternally grateful.

Mary's family was her diamonds and jewels. Besides her three children,
Frankie, Julian and Gary, she had 13 grandchildren and 15
great-grandchildren. She loved them all very much. She was our sister, mom,
grandma, and friend. We will all miss her forever.

Mary is survived by her three children, Frankie Polson of Dillon, Co., Julian
(Peggy) Piva of Challis and Gary (Sue) Piva of Meridian, her sister Netta
Jones of Challis, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous
nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Marion Piva, her father, Marco
Yacomella, and mother Celesta Fontana Yacomella, and two brothers, Frank
and George Yacomella.

A mass of Christian burial was held at Living Waters Ranch Saturday,
December 6 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Wander officiating. Interment was
at the Challis Cemetery.

Note: I am of no relation, but my sympathies go out to those of you who are.
This is here as a lasting memorial for Mrs. Piva.
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