Lillian Cadenasso

December 18, 1930 - February 16, 2023

Lillian Rupp Cadenasso, 92, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2023. She was born in Berkeley on December 18, 1930, and lived most of her life in Oakland, California. She was preceded in death by her husband Ross and her parents Emilia and Kenneth (Kay) Rupp. Lillian graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1952 where she was a member of Theta Upsilon sorority. She began working at the Oakland accounting firm of Thompson, Dechow, Garcia & Reich where she met her beloved husband, Ross. Lillian and Ross were married in September 1955 in Oakland’s Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales.

Throughout her life Lillian was committed to Catholic education and was active at Corpus Christi School where she founded the Bridge for Books program and the Enrichment Program. She and Ross were active supporters of Bishop O’Dowd High School and St. Elizabeth High School and were avid supporters of Family Aid – Catholic Education and many other organizations. She was also a dedicated and active member of the Corpus Christi Parish and served on the fundraising committee for the Cathedral of Christ the Light. In 1994 she was named Catholic Woman of the Year in the Diocese of Oakland.

Lillian was a past President of the Providence Hospital Auxiliary and a member of the Providence Hospital Foundation Board. She enjoyed playing bridge, traveling, spending time at the family cabin at Tahoe, sewing and knitting, and solving crossword puzzles. Lillian loved hosting holiday gatherings with family and friends. For her, no time was better than time spent with her family. Lillian is survived by her children Peter (Mary), Scott (Erika Wanenmacher), Richard (Marian), Anne, Carl (Lisa), Mary (James Maness), Joseph (Deborah) and Gina, and her 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held to celebrate Lillian’s life on Saturday, March 18th at 11:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church: 322 St. James

Dr. Piedmont. Parking is available in the adjacent Corpus Christi School lot at 1 Estates Dr. Piedmont. Gifts can be made in Lillian’s memory to Family Aid – Catholic Education, 2121 Harrison Street, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612 or Alameda County Community Food Bank, PO Box 2599, Oakland, CA 94614.