Mary Frances Musso, 90, passed away on September 10, 2017 at Alexander Cohen Hospice House after a brief illness.
Mary was born to Rudolf and Frances Siderits on April 22, 1927, the oldest of their three children. Born and raised in Bronx, New York City, she graduated from Evander Childs High School, where she acquired superior secretarial skills, being placed as secretary to a lieutenant colonel in the Army.
Mary met the love of her life, Lucien A. Musso at her cousin’s wedding, after which they were never seen apart. They married in May of 1947, and promptly moved to Gilroy, California, where they purchased a small ranch on Hwy 101, on which they later built a motel and restaurant. Yearning for a quieter life, they purchased a peach ranch and vineyard in Turlock, building a house and moving there in 1969. Mary loved working on the ranch with Lucien, which they did for many long and happy years. All of their children and grandchildren would, at times, help them on the ranch, which offered the children many adventures. In addition to the ranch adventures, “Grandmother” was a wonderful cook, and a bit of a “junk food junkie” which she always had on hand for any of the grandchildren who might stop by! Christmas Eve at “Grandmother’s House” was a family tradition for her children and their spouses and all 9 of her grandchildren well until their adult years when they would arrive with their children to form some of those same wonderful childhood memories.
Mary was a member of Sacred Heart Church and All Saints’ Catholic Church, both in Turlock. She was a member of Ave Regina #200 in Turlock for many years, having served as editor of the newsletter for 17 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lucien A. Musso, her parents, Rudolf and Frances Siderits, and her brother Rudy Siderits.
Mary is survived by her son, Lucien R. Musso, of Turlock, her daughters Mary (Kirk) McCandless of Turlock, and Maureen (Tom) Nolte of Cromberg, Ca., her sister Frances Barker of Rio Linda, and sisters-in-law Maxine Siderits of San Martin, and Celeste (Mel) Cutler of Salinas.
Mary is also survived by nine grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Mary will be greatly missed by those who knew her. Her kind demeanor and her beautiful smile will live forever in our hearts.
Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15 at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway in Turlock. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints’ Catholic Church, 4040 McKenna Dr. in Turlock. Entombment will follow at Turlock Memorial Park.
Remembrances can be made in Mary’s name to Catholic Charities or a charity of choice.
