Dorothy Sunzeri

Obituary of Dorothy Frances Sunzeri

 

December 15, 1925 – December 14, 2020

Resident of Santa Cruz

 

Private services were held for Dorothy Sunzeri who passed away in Santa Cruz one day before celebrating her 95th birthday. Born in Monaca Pennsylvania, she earned her associate’s degree in Business from Harrisburg College. Shortly after coming to California, she met her husband Peter Sunzeri. Together they built an amazing life. There, Dorothy continued her notable career and education. She was a trailblazer and accepted the first female position as Controller for FMC Corporation in San Jose, later finishing her degree at Santa Clara University. She became an Enrolled Agent for the State of California and managed the import and export licenses and taxes for the large fruit packing companies in Santa Clara Valley. In 1960, she went on to establish her own business, Cambrian Tax Service in San Jose. After moving to Santa Cruz in 1980, Dorothy continued working as an Enrolled Agent until she was 85 years old.

 

Dorothy and Peter enjoyed their life in Santa Cruz, which included their affiliation with the Marconi Club, the Italian Catholic Federation and Holy Cross Catholic Church where she was a long time parishioner.   She also cherished the many friendships made as a 40-year resident of DeAnza Mobile Estates.

 

Dorothy loved to travel, play cards with her friends, and always enjoyed a good party; above all, she loved to be with her family. Her children like to say that she had an enormous capacity for joy and the most remarkable ability to love unconditionally.

 

Dorothy  is survived by her daughters, Eileen Sunzeri of Santa Cruz, and Janice Sunzeri of San Diego; her sons, Salvador Sunzeri of South Lake Tahoe, Peter Sunzeri of Watsonville, Michael Sunzeri of South lake Tahoe , and Marty Sunzeri of Scotts Valley.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Peter in 2000 and her son James in 2016.

Dorothy's brother Frank Tomasello currently resides in Watsonville and Dorothy’s sister Josephine Maruca lives in Carson City Nevada

 

Dorothy had fourteen grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Dorothy also had an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins as well as beloved in-laws and friends whom she adored and loved immensely.

 

A private Catholic Blessing and committal ceremony has taken place where she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Peter, at Oak Hill Mausoleum in San Jose. Please visit the Benito and Azzaro home page to share a memory or your condolences with her family. A kind act of charity can be made in her memory to Catholic Charities of Santa Cruz.

 

 

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A Memorial Tree was planted for Dorothy
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel