Dolores Massoni Petersen – Lifelong Healdsburg resident

Dolores Massoni Petersen entered into rest on Oct. 24, 2007 at
the home of her daughter, Loretta Strong, surrounded by her family
and caregivers. She was 84 years old and had suffered a massive
stroke in February of this year.
Dolores was preceded in death by her lifetime friend and
ex-husband, Norman Petersen and her four year old son, Patrick
“Butchie” Petersen. She was also preceded in death by her three
beloved sisters, Florence Massoni, Bernice Pedrotti and Eleanor
Winamaki.
Dolores is survived in death by her two devoted children,
Loretta (Jerry ) Strong and Robert (Pat) Petersen; her two adoring
grandchildren, Jordy Strong and Alicia Petersen; brother in law Pat
(Valerie) Petersen; nieces Joan Stuart and Cindy Hilgenberg and
nephew Bill (Lynn) Winamaki.
Dolores Adeline Massoni was born April 18, 1923 to William
“Bill” and Bruna Massoni on Grove Street in Healdsburg in what is
now the Seghesio home. Her father Bill Massoni and his partner Mr.
Scatena owned and operated the original facility, Alta Vista, which
provided bulk wine crush for champagne bound by freight train to
New York.
Dolores and her sisters grew up at the winery, attended
Healdsburg Schools and packed fruit at the Miller Packing Co. which
is now Tony Evans on W. Grant Street. Dolores graduated from
Healdsburg High in 1941 and went to work at Bank of America where
she served for 25 years in various capacities until her retirement
in 1979 as an Assistant Loan processor. In 1983, she started a new
career at Branscomb Nursery with Jerry and Loretta Strong where she
worked as Bookkeeper and Asst. Retail Manager for 15 years until
1998.
Dolores will be remembered for her wonderful Italian meals and
floral arrangements; her outstanding Gravenstein apple pies and
sauces; her fruitcakes; and her green thumb, including the lace cap
hydrangeas and French lilacs that she propagated for sale at
Branscomb Nursery. Donations in her memory can be made to Santa
Rosa Memorial Hospice. All funeral services were held at
Windsor-Healdsburg Mortuary, on Friday, Nov. 2.