Aldina Lorraine Ciardella
May 21, 1925 - November 6, 2022
Aldina Lorraine (Casella) Ciardella passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 6, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Michael Ciardella, adored mother of Mike (Kathy) and Gary. Loving grandmother of Tony (Kelly), Todd (Tara) and Jon. Caring great-grandmother of Joey, Travis, Madison, Calan, Bobby, Drew and Tommy. Also survived by nieces Donna (Dominic) Mazzitelli and Debbie (Steve) Silver, and nephews Wayne (Caroline) and Don (Terri) Ciardella and their families. Predeceased by her sister and brother-inlaw, Lida and Bob Berridge, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Verna Ciardella, and her niece, Janice Ciardella.
Aldina was born in San Francisco to the late Luigi and Ada (Rossi) Casella and attended Commerce High School. She met her husband, Mike, at a family wedding and they were married for 20 years before his untimely death in 1965.
Aldina (AKA Nonni or the See’s Candy Lady) was a woman of many talents. She began working in retail at the White House Department Store in San Francisco. She re-entered the workforce after Mike and Gary were older, displaying her talents behind the counter at her brother-inlaw, Joe’s, Anchor Drug Store serving hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and fountain drinks with lots of love to the neighborhood kids. Next came Jefferson High School’s Cafeteria, Alec Discount and Mervyn’s Department Stores, and Mazetti’s Bakery, ending with her all-time favorite as the See’s Candy Lady. She enjoyed her vacations in Santa Cruz, Las Vegas, and Lake Tahoe.
Aldina’s legacy was cooking her famous Italian dinners, which she happily shared with Mike and Gary’s friends during Monday Night Football games in the 70’s and 80’s. Her pasta and spaghetti sauce were family favorites for multiple family generations.
Friends may visit Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at DUGGAN’S SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City where a Vigil Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 12 noon at Holy Angels Church, 107 San Pedro Road, Colma.