In Memoriam – Violet “Vi” (Yazzolino) Petersen

Violet Petersen, a longtime member of the Italian Club, died suddenly at the age of 104 on Sept. 24, 2018.

Born in 1914 in Melmont, Wash. and one of nine children, she moved with her family to Portland, Ore. at the age of two. Her father was a logger. She moved with her younger sister to the San Francisco Bay Area when she was a teenager. She worked for a number of years at Oakland’s Kress Department Store. Later she worked at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields, Bay Area racetracks, where she stayed for some 47 years, retiring at the age of 75.

On the occasion of her 100th birthday, Violet was featured on the cover of the local publication, Sun Senior News, where she shared many memories of her long and active life.

Violet leaves her twin daughters, Diane Wheeler and Patricia Boyle, sons-in-law, Ron Wheeler and Terry Boyle, grandson Kyle, and her loving partner, Steve Pizzo. Violet and Steve moved to Sun City Lincoln Hills in 2002 and had since enjoyed the activities and events provided by the Lincoln Hills Italian Club with their many friends. She was also a member of to the Accordion Club and the Elks Club of Lincoln.

Funeral services were held October 5 in Colma. Donations in Violet’s memory may be made to the St. Joseph Parish, 280 Oak Tree Lane, Lincoln, CA 95648.