Obituary of Sophie Mabel Costella

Sophie Mabel Costella, known to her friends as “Buddie,” passed away on Thursday, August 16, at age 102, just one month shy of her 103rd birthday. She grew up in Davenport, the daughter of Louis and Theresa Poletti, where they lived until about 1930, when the family moved to Santa Cruz. Buddie and her younger brother Lewis grew up in the ranching community of Davenport, where their father, who came from Lugano, Switzerland, was the founder of the Davenport Producers Association, a major grower of brussel sprouts and other produce. Buddie learned to drive a truck at a very young age, and was driving long before she got her first license, a skill that came in handy during World War II, when her brother was drafted and she was needed beyond her bookkeeping skills in the office. She loved to go dancing with her school friends at local dances in Pescadero and when they moved to Santa Cruz, she often went to the Cocoanut Grove.

In 1939, she married native Santa Cruzan Reno Costella, and the two bought their first house in a small new development on Reed Way. Buddie worked in her family business, doing bookkeeping and payroll, while Reno worked in Castroville for Cara Mia, the artichoke company. In the mid 1960s, they moved to Pasatiempo, where they bought a lot from a doctor friend who wanted them as neighbors. They lived in their custom California Ranch house for the rest of their lives, often throwing large New Year’s Eve parties and entertaining their friends. Reno had easy access to golfing at Pasatiempo. Always fond of cars, Buddie and Reno got his-and-hers Jaguars in the late 1980s. Buddie tooled around Santa Cruz, running her errands, going to Holy Cross for mass and going shopping, one of her favorite past times, well into her 90s. She will be remembered most for her great sense of humor and funny quips. She is her survived by her two nieces, Therese Anne Poletti and Mary Lew Poletti. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.  

Private services will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial contributions be made to Holy Cross Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA  95060.