Happy Birthday Nino (Boothby)

  Today is the birthday of Tersilla Palmina Brondolo, born in Vesime Italy on March 31, 1911. She was my paternal grandmother, but I will always remember her as "Nino".  She had a unique connection to Grass Valley which is where my Dad grew up.   Her journey began in northern Italy, then continued to San Francisco, then to Grass Valley and ended in Sonoma, California. With lots of adventures in between. 

  She was born to Caterina (Bertanosco) and Pietro Brondolo and came to the United States at the age of 5.  She was raised and educated in San Francisco.  

Tersilla on the right.

Tersilla in Florence! 

The date stamp on the back of these photos says July 16, 1935. Any guesses on location?

July 16, 1935

  Nino worked as a stenographer/bookkeeper until her marriage to  Sterl Boothby in 1937.  They moved to Grass Valley in 1947 where Sterl owned and operated Grass Valley Drug. In Grass Valley, she served as president of the Twin Cities Concert Association, Grass Valley PTA, and was a life member of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Nevada Union High School PTA.

Nino with Dale and Kent 1945 or 46. 

  Nino moved to Sonoma in 1968 after the death of Sterl. In Sonoma she continued hospital volunteering as a "Pink Lady" at Yountville VA Hospital.  She was lovingly known as the "Angel" of the Sonoma Valley Chorale and Sonoma City Opera, attending nearly all performances.  

Nino with Patti (me) 1962.

  She was an active member of Sons of Italy, Order of Eastern Star, Sonoma Sister Cities Association and a life member of the North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation. 
She was honored as KABL citizen of the day in 1980 for her work with the chorale league and has a tree planted in her honor by the Sonoma Sister Cities Association.  Her hobbies included dancing, caligraphy, opera, travel and all things "Pink".  (taken from her obituary in The Union).

This is how I remember Nino.  So full of life!

  Happy 109th!  We are still celebrating your birthday!