Obituary of Silvana DeBernardo

Silvana DeBernardo passed away on September 4, 2014 at her home in Aptos, at the age of 68. Silvana was born in Rome, Italy on July 3, 1946 to Rina and Aldo Bianchi. She grew up in Rome, until she immigrated to the United States in 1967. Silvana settled first in Watsonville, and then she moved to Santa Cruz in 1979. After that, in 1982 she moved to Soquel, and finally to Aptos in 1990 until present. Upon moving to America, Silvana worked as a bank teller, then as a Real Estate agent and she eventually became a successful Real Estate developer, building over 250 homes in Santa Cruz County. Silvana was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and cousin whose charm, vibrancy, love of life and spirit of adventure impressed all who met her. She was so many things; nurturing, full of life, a gifted storyteller, generous, loving, hilarious, and vivacious. What Silvana loved most of all was spending time with her children, grandchildren and family. She cherished her family and took great pride in them. She always wanted the very best for them and she gave her entire heart and endless energy to them. Silvana was famous for her love of being around people, enjoying talking and laughing. She would often sing at parties and enjoyed long laughs at dinner parties. All these events were made special by her heartfelt spirit and the fact that, she never wanted to miss out on a thing. Her grandchildren will keep with them countless memories of their Nonna. And everyone will remember her life motto: "Don't wait till tomorrow what you can do today." Some of Silvana's favorite pastimes were, taking spin classes, singing, cooking, traveling, karaoke and picnics at Seacliff beach. Silvana also enjoyed playing tennis. She took tennis classes at Jade Street Park in Capitola with great and loving friends. She appreciated a glass of wine with dinner, going to lunch with her sister and the sweet treat of an ice cream bought in Capitola. Her family will always remember Silvana hosting huge Cioppino feasts at Christmas. Silvana was a long-time parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Silvana made a recent trip to Italy, where her cousins all greeted her at the airport and where she spent hours around the dinner table laughing and telling stories. Three of those cousins traveled from Italy to be with her by her bedside as she passed. Silvana is survived by her husband of 46 years, Mario DeBernardo; daughters, Gina Gallivan and Julie Timko; son, Frank DeBernardo; sister, Rossana Grau; brother, Rinaldo Bianchi; 8 grandchildren; 3 nieces; 2 nephews and several aunts and uncles. She is preceded in death by her mother, Rina Bianchi in 1993 and her father, Aldo Bianchi in 1997. Silvana will be deeply missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Ave. in Capitola beginning at 11:00 am. A vigil and recital of the Holy Rosary will take place at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA on Monday evening at 7:00 pm. A visitation will be held at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel on Monday from 5:00pm until the service. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. The family requests contributions in Silvana's name go to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066 or St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Avenue Capitola, CA 95010. For those who would like to express their condolences to Silvana's family please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com.