Bianca Ratto Caserza

June 25, 1926 - April 9, 2021

Bianca Ratto Caserza June 25, 1926 – April 9, 2021

Died Friday morning, April 9 th at home in the care of her daughters. She was born in Stella San Martino, Italy (Province of Savona) to Bartolomeo and Giuseppina Cordara Ratto. Immigrated to the United States in 1928 when she was 25 months old. Devoted wife of the late Louis M. Caserza, whom she married on August 18, 1956. Beloved mother of Rosemarie, Catherine, and Elizabeth Caserza. Cherished sister of the late Dr. Peter A. Ratto. First cousin to Alice Filios, John Gonella, Graziella Cipriani, Vittorio Ferro, Antonio Cerruti, Maria Bianca Cerruti, Bianca Ratto, and Bernadina (Dina) Ferro. Leaves many relatives in the Italian provinces of Lombardy and Liguria regions. Aunt of Andrea, Richard (deceased), Gloria, Daniel, Teresa, Steven, and David. A lifelong parishioner of Holy Angels Church since 1928. Graduate of Jefferson Elementary School, Jefferson Union High School, University of California, Berkeley where she completed her undergrad work in modern languages in three years, graduating in 1947. From 1947 to 1948, Bianca lived at the International House at UC Berkeley and obtained her teaching credential. She earned her MA in Italian in 1950 and later her library science certificate from San Jose State University. Proud retiree of the Jefferson Union High School District where Bianca worked as an English teacher and high school librarian. From 1978 through 2000, Bianca served on the Daly City Library Board of Trustees, many times as an officer. She was very active in Project Read. Her literary related projects earned her Daly City Commissioner of the Year honors in 1994. She served as a member of the Italian Catholic Federation

Branch 19, past President of the Holy Angels Women’s Guild, Hillside Homeowners Improvement Association, Daly City/ Colma History Guild, Colma Historical Association, San Mateo County History Associates and San Bruno Branch of AAUW. She was also a life member of the Cal Alumni Association and never missed rooting for her team in the annual Big Game between University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University. Over the years, Bianca enjoyed travels with Lou and later with her daughters. After she retired in 1981, Bianca enjoyed attending classes at The Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco for twenty years. In recent years, Bianca enjoyed attending classes at the Doelger Senior Center in Daly City.

We are grateful for the medical care provided by Dr. Leslie Moretti prior to his retirement, Dr. Jeanne Lee, and for over twenty years, Dr. Catherine Chimenti. Her daughters are also very grateful for the support provided by her home health team in her final weeks, especially Sutter Hospice Case Manager, Donabell and 24/7 Care for Seniors caregivers Alicia, Angela, and Bella.

Honoring Bianca’s wishes, private services were held at Holy Angels Church with Committal at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating a favorite book to your local library or donations in Bianca’s memory can be made to The Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning at the University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 or the Monsignor Farrell Fund at Holy Angels Church, 107 San Pedro Road, Colma, CA 94014.