Marijane Modena
July 6, 1934 – September 1, 2015
Marijane is at peace after many years of managing her battle with Polycythemia vera. She is survived by her loving husband, Albert, Jr.; daughter, Michele, her family: Landon (Jason) Wheeler, Whitney (Matt) Ward, Reid and their father, Jon Kurpinsky; daughter, Brigid (Michael) Benham, her family: Clifford (Katie), Keith (Michelle), Alyse (Daniel) Lynam and Mallory; daughter, Alana (Jim) Moylan; daughter, Colene (Jim) Crowley, her family: Cecilia & Caroline; three great grandsons: Henry Benham, Kellen and Beau Ward, as well as, siblings, John (Barbara) Mallen, Cheryl (Tom) Underwood, Alana Mallen; In-laws Michael Modena and Midge Mallen and many loving nieces, nephews and their families. She is predeceased by her son, Albert III, her sister, Carmel, and her husband, Pat Malley, and her brother, Hon. William Mallen.
A native San Franciscan, and third child of Howard and Carmel Mallen, she grew up in the Marina district and attended Winfield Scott, Marina Jr. High, St. Vincent de Paul, Presentation High School and San Francisco College for Women (Lone Mountain College). Marijane met Al, for the first time, on the corner of Stanyan and McAllister, in front of “Reds” market, across from the “old SI”. Together, for 59 years, they raised their family, managed the family business, traveled the United States and the world, collecting many wonderful memories. Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs were among her favorite vacation destinations.
As a young girl she developed a love of sports playing street games with the neighborhood children of Jefferson St., she lettered in basketball in high school and eventually became a 4.0 tennis player in her adult life; playing regularly with friends at the San Francisco Tennis Club and The Olympic Club. Marijane set an example for her children serving the community as a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish Women’s Club and the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury, a Board member of the CYO Girls Program, Daly City Park & Recreation, and San Francisco Tennis Club and serving as the first Athletic Director of Girls Sports at OLM.
A special thank you to Dr. Yamamoto, his colleagues, and the nursing staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for the care and comfort they extended to Marijane and our family.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Church, 451 Eucalyptus Dr., San Francisco, CA 94132.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of the Presentation, Development Office, 281 Masonic Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 731231718 or Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, D.C. 20090.