Carolyn Jeanne Magliulo

Heaven received a beautiful soul. Carolyn J. Magliulo passed away peacefully in San Rafael, surrounded by family, on December 9th, 2023 at the age of 79, just a few months away from her 80th birthday. She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, James & Elia (DeLuca) Magliulo, her grandparents Thomas & Jennie (Cilento) Magliulo and Olinto & Gemma (Consani) DeLuca and many other aunts, uncles and cousins. Beautiful sister to Dianne (Cliff) Vattuone, Tom (Cindy) Magliulo, Jim (Marcii) Magliulo and Terri (Jim) Derr. Proud and faith-filled Godmother to her nephew Jimmy Vattuone, niece Lauren Derr, cousin Marty Magliulo and “cousin” Genafer Vattuone. Loving “La La” to grand-nephew August Vattuone and grand-niece Lucca Vattuone, and “Auntie” to many, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces & grand-nephews whom she loved.

Carolyn was born in San Francisco on March 20, 1944, where the family lived on Stockton Street in San Francisco’s North Beach. The Kream Kup next door, owned by her Uncle Babe and Uncle Lou was a fun place to visit for her and her siblings. Trips to the plaza across from St. Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church was a daily ritual with the Vattuone “cousins”. The family moved to 123 Solano Street in San Rafael in 1950 when she was 5 years old. She attended St. Raphael’s Catholic School, Marin Catholic High School and graduated from San Rafael High School in 1962. Carolyn stayed in close contact with her high school “galpals”, Mimi, Loma, Phyllis, Lynnae, Joan, Carol M., Kathleen, Kristen, and Carol P. for over 60 years, sharing girls-weekend to Stinson Beach and at her home in Redwood Valley Ukiah. She had a long-time friendship with classmate Jim Broedlow and his partner Tim who she loved to travel with and spend time with through the years. She attended College of Marin and graduated from California State University at Chico with her BS degree in Education.

A long-time and dedicated educator and school administrator for over 40 years, Carolyn was passionate about educating young minds. She first moved to Sonoma County where she taught at Willowside School in Santa Rosa and Oak Grove School in Graton. She moved to Petaluma as Principal at Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley. Moving to Mendocino County, she was Principal at Oak Manor Elementary School. She loved her home on East Road in Redwood Valley where she grew grapes, made wine with her nephew Kevin, painted in her art studio, tutored local school children with their math and science needs, hosted family and friend gatherings providing large homemade Italian meals, including our secret family recipe the Pizza Dolce, and tended a beautiful home and garden of vegetables and fruit trees. She would always come to our annual Christmas cookie baking day with her siblings with Italian music playing to remind us of our heritage. She loved to keep family traditions alive and loved to share them with her family!

She loved to travel with family and friends visiting many places including Tahiti, Hawaii to visit her good friend Sherry Vattuone, Italy to visit her niece Lauren who was studying abroad, Mexico, Truckee at Lake Tahoe to Dianne and Cliff’s cabin which became our family’s second home, Seattle to visit her niece Lauren, San Diego visiting her nephew Anthony, Disneyland, Yosemite for wood carving classes, Phoenix & Scottsdale to visit her nephew Alex and watch Spring Training games, Victoria Canada, Boston, New York to see the fall colors, and many, many more adventures with family and friends.

Hosting gatherings at her home with siblings and their families was a treat for her. She was always interested in what her nieces and nephews were up to, and was ready to offer her thoughts, beginning her advice with ‘I know something about this…’ and proceed to provide her expertise on the subject. She was a pillar of our family, who always said ‘yes’ when asked if she could make a party. She would be the one to bring the karaoke machine, elf outfits, Santa suit, party hats and noise makers. She loved to shop for clothes and home décor, items for her garden and presents for her loved ones, always remember birthdays and special occasions.

Carolyn moved to the active Lincoln Sun City community in 2017 where she enjoyed her beautiful home with all the activities that she loved; swimming, tennis, golf, pickleball, bocce ball, knitting, crocheting, art classes, themed-Bingo nights on Zoom during COVID with niece Jenny and friends, and wood carving trips. A proud Italian, she joined the Italian Club in Lincoln Sun City and was honored to serve as the historian for the group.

In the last months when Carolyn became ill, she fought hard to regain her health but always with a calm and peaceful sense of being. She left us with such a gift when she smiled and told us that she was not afraid to pass on to a new life. She was excited to see mom and dad. She knew it would be sad for all of us, but she knew it would be a beautiful new life for her. Her faith was strong, and always said not to worry because mom, dad, Nonna Gemma, Nonnie Jennie and Nonno Tom were always right there with us.

PLEASE JOIN US!

Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass at St. James Catholic Church in Petaluma at 125 Sonoma Mountain Parkway on Friday, March 15th at 11:00am immediately followed by a reception luncheon at Iron & Vines at Bennett Valley Golf Club at 3330 Yulupa Avenue in Santa Rosa. Please let us know you’re planning to attend by commenting below. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa in support of tuition assistance for school families.

Cardinal Newman High School, Advancement Office

4320 Old Reswood Hwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Let us know you’re coming!

RSVP to [email protected]

Thank you!