Lavinia Antoniazzi

Lavinia immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in 1949 at the age of 21. She settled soon after in San Mateo with her family. She was welcomed into the large Italian community where she made many life long friends, and it was during this time that she met her future husband, Max. They married in 1953 and welcomed a daughter, Denise, and a son, Dino, 4 years later.

Lavinia worked at home as a seamstress doing alterations for numerous downtown San Mateo men’s clothing stores while her children were young. Lavinia was blessed with a vibrant and outgoing personality and a strong spirit. She was a wonderful cook and looked forward to entertaining family and friends and sharing her delicious dinners. She was very involved in the bocce ball community along with her husband and participated in tournaments all over the United States where together they won many trophies. Lavinia loved the competition of the game and the many, many, friendships she made through bocce ball.

During their marriage of 72 years, Lavinia and Max enjoyed traveling and took many vacations to Europe to visit family. Lavinia loved to dance! She always looked forward to getting dressed up and going to any holiday social dance with her husband. She began taking art lessons in her late 50’s and she became an accomplished artist. She was still painting well into her 80’s and her beautiful artwork filled her house and was a source of pride that she loved sharing with family and friends. Her creativity was also reflected in the beautiful floral arrangements that she enjoyed making, and she always had several in her home.

Lavinia is forever in our hearts with cherished memories. We are extremely grateful to her caretaker, Maria, for her exceptional care and companionship, and Edna, who kindly cared for Lavinia during her final weeks. We would also like to thank Sutter Hospice, especially her nurse, Stephanie, for her compassion and support.

Lavinia is survived by her loving husband, Max, her daughter Denise Gava and son Dino Antoniazzi (Cindy), and grandchildren Jeremy Gava (Mandy), Christopher Gava (Sara), Alexander Antoniazzi, Emily Antoniazzi, 6 great grandchildren, her niece Loretta Fiorot Marcon and many cousins in Italy.

Visitation will be held at Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral mass which will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church at 1 Notre Dame Avenue, San Mateo. Private interment will be held at the Italian Cemetery in Colma.