Carol Denise Galletta ( nee Tonelli)
Carol Denise Galletta ( nee Tonelli) was born in San Francisco on November 22nd, 1955 to parents Dino and Elsie Tonelli. Carol grew up in the Westlake neighborhood of Daly City, the fifth of seven siblings. She attended Our Lady of Mercy in Daly City and later, St. Rose Academy in San Francisco. After high school, Carol began a career in retail at Grodin’s. It was there that she met Joe. They married in 1979 and shortly after, they welcomed their children Nicholas and Gianna. After 20 years in retail, Carol pursued her passion for education. She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from NDNU in 1999 and obtained her teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Carol is survived by her husband Joe; son Nick ( Jessica) and daughter Gianna; mother, Elsie; her six siblings; Diane Rhein ( Ed), Linda Bohnert ( Ed), Sandi Devencenzi ( Dave), Jerry Tonelli ( Nikki), Paul Tonelli ( Lisa), and Gina Thomson ( Ron); her two grandchildren, Jackson and Ryan; Godchildren, Michael Bohnert, Shannon LeCompte, Dino Tonelli and Michaela Macmillan; and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Above all, Carol was committed to the relationships with her family, friends and especially her students. Carol’s memory for the special occasions in the lives of those close to her was legendary. There was not a time where she forgot to send a card or note to a loved one to recognize and important milestone.
Although Carol entered the teaching profession later in life, she made a tremendous impact on the lives of her students. She worked tirelessly to help them reach their full potential. Since 2008, as Director of the AMES program at Mercy High School, Carol developed the program to support students with learning differences. It was important to Carol that students be prepared to not just succeed in college, but to be compassionate, contributing member of society.
Above all, Carol was a warrior in her battle with breast cancer. When she was first diagnosed in 2001, Carol went above the doctor’s recommendations for surgery and treatment and won. True to her nature, she participated in many Avon and Susan G. Komen walks for cure to inspire other cancer patients. When she was diagnosed again in 2014, Carol fought with the same resolve and determination with which she met most challenges. At the time of her passing on October 28th, 2017, Carol was surrounded by family and close friends.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at Mercy Burlingame Chapel, Wednesday, November 8th at 10: 00am. An additional memorial mass will be held for the Mercy High School community at Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame, November 21st at 12: 00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carola Galletta AMES Student Scholarship Fund at Mercy High School, Burlingame.