Bessie Vivian (Bess) McNeill Garatti – traveled to all 50 states

Bessie Vivian (Bess) McNeill Garatti, 91, passed away at her
home on Friday, June 18. Bess was born into a pioneer family of
Mendocino County and was proud to be a third generation Northern
Californian. In 1933 she married A.P. Garatti in Marin County,
where they owned and operated Garatti Motors, the first Willys Jeep
Dealership in the North Bay. The couple had four children. In 1969
Bess moved to Petaluma and spent her time enjoying her
grandchildren, teaching and playing contract bridge, and working in
her large garden. She also traveled throughout the United States,
ultimately visiting all 50 states. She was preceded in death by her
parents, James P. & Myrtle B. McNeill, as well as six brothers
and sisters, and by A.P. Garatti. She is survived by brothers Elton
McNeill of Oregon, Bob McNeill of Napa, Bill McNeill of Arizona;
and a sister Pat Graham of Shingle Springs. Also mourning her loss
are daughters Annette Goltermann of Petaluma, and Mary Garatti of
Willits; and sons Joe Garatti of Santa Rosa and Neill Garatti of
Colorado. Three grandchildren also miss her. They are Nancy Clough
of Healdsburg, John Kenneth Casey Goltermann of Petaluma and April
Goltermann of Petaluma. A private service was held at Ukiah
Cemetery. The family asks that donations be made to the Held-Poage
Historical Research Library, 603 W. Perkins Street, Ukiah, in
memory of Bess McNeill Garatti.