Ann B. Lombardo

Ann Lombardo, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, auntie and friend to many, many people, passed away on Tuesday, August 30th, 2011, at the age of 95. She was the second of five girls born to Frank and Teresa Recchio, who came to America from a small village in Southern Italy with the hope of establishing a farm and building their home. Ann and her sisters spoke only Italian when they entered school, and spent their days picking fruit and working and playing around the farm. When it became clear that there would be no sons, Frank moved his family to San Jose in 1932 to try doing business in the big city. Instead of entering high school, Ann was enrolled, with her sisters, in school to learn to become a beautician. Everyone who knows Ann knows that this was the perfect line of work for her. Her sense of style and, more importantly, her ability to connect with people made her very popular. Her father opened the “Mary Ann” beauty shop in 1933, where Ann, her sisters and friends worked, doing a booming business even during the Great Depression.

During this time Ann met a young man at a dance who patiently pursued her for seven years, until her father finally consented to let them marry. Ann and Gus Lombardo married on June 10th, 1939. They eventually moved to San Francisco during WWII, where Gus worked in the shipyards. After the war, they moved back to San Jose to be near the family, and to continue expanding their own. Ann and Gus had three children, Frank, Gus and Teresa, who grew up among many cousins and loving relatives. Ann continued in her profession “fixing” hair while raising her family. Her clients knew they were in kind, compassionate and patient hands, and became life-long friends. Her home buzzed with activity, conversation, family gatherings and plans for camping trips. Ann and Gus traveled the world together and enjoyed many adventures. She painted, cooked, created beautiful things, and laughed a lot.

There is no question that the world is a better place for having had Ann in it. We are all better people for having been lucky enough to be loved by her. She was smart, funny, curious, unfailingly kind and extraordinarily patient. She approached life with an open mind and heart, and a generous, accepting nature that made us all feel special. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Gus, and is survived by her children Frank (Carol), Gus (Colleen) and Teresa (Fred), her 8 grand children, 13 great grand children and her sisters Lena Mazzanti and Jay Ladine.

A visitation honoring Ann will be held at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95050 on Monday evening, Sept. 5, 2011, beginning at 6:00PM. A Rosary will be said at 7:30PM.

A mass will be said for Ann at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, 350 S. Winchester Blvd

Campbell, CA 95008 at 11:00AM on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, followed by a burial ceremony at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery.