Obituary of Josephine Johanna Oliva

Long-time resident of Menlo Park, CA, Josephine J. Oliva, 91, died on May 23, 2012 in her BridgePoint Los Altos assisted living apartment She was born April 12, 1921 in a house in Redwood City, CA, daughter of Frank Leonardi and Adela Maria Longoni. Her mother Maria died when Jo was 4 years old, and Jo and Frank traveled to Italy where Teresa Pontiggia became her stepmother in 1928. Jo graduated from Mercy High School in Burlingame, attended secretarial school and worked for the Employment Office in Palo Alto. She met Nevio Louis "Dick" Oliva at an Italian Catholic Federation dance in Redwood City. They married at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park on September 5, 1948. They enjoyed dancing polkas at the Italian American Social Club and going on family picnics after church. After Dick died in 1985, Jo continued to enjoy gardening and cooking. Her more than 70 rose bushes, cactus plants and oranges were legendary among her Middle Ave neighbors. After a bad fall, she moved to BridgePoint in July 2010, where she praised the staff as understanding, helpful and kind. She is survived by daughters Mary Jeanne Oliva (husband Robert Stephen Estes) of Santa Clara, CA, and Louise Therese Kugler (husband John) of Fredericksburg, VA. Surviving are grandchildren: Peter Daniel Kugler (wife Angela), Katherine Mary Drummond (husband Albert), William Francis Kugler (wife Amie), Emily Anthea Estes; and great-grandchildren: Liam Jackson Kugler, Mei Li Madison Kugler, Josephine Ann Drummond, Teresa Mary Drummond. Funeral Mass at St. Raymond Church, 12:30 pm Saturday, and burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park. Arrangements by Spangler Mortuary, Los Altos. Please contribute to your favorite charity.




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