Lidia Marie Rovai

Lidia (Martinelli) Rovai better known as Nonie, devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great - grandmother and friend, peacefully left this world Monday, June 30, 2014. She was born, at home, in Rio Dell, CA on September 11, 1921. Her parents, Americo and Armida along with her brother, Olindo "Lindy", immigrated a year before from Pieve San Paolo, Italy. Lidia's first language was Italian, and she was sent home from school each day for a week for not speaking English. Her mother kept sending her, so eventually the teacher kept her. She grew up in Rio Dell and in 1940 graduated from Fortuna Union High School. In 1940, she married 'the butcher boy', Julio 'Butch' Rovai. They raised their two daughters, Andrea and Lorene in Rio Dell. Lidia was known to all for her cooking and baking skills. Our favorites included ravioli, torta and biscotti. In the early 1950's they opened Rio Food Mart with Lindy & Lillian Martinelli and Martin Rovai. She worked the store and front counter, enjoying all who entered. Her other talents included gardening, crocheting and sewing. She sewed for her daughters and was known to come home from work, sew an outfit ready for the next school day. The store was sold in 1984 but Lidia was not ready to retire so she went to work for Cacci Grocery and C&C Market. In retirement, Lidia and Julio traveled to Hawaii, Seattle's World Fair and enjoyed their summer home in Dinsmore, CA. She cherished multiple trips to Italy with family, visiting family and loved going to Palm Desert to soak up the sun. Lidia was a member of St Patrick's Church in Scotia, Rio Dell Fireman's Ladies Auxilliary, Pocahontas Lodge, the Sons of Italy and she served for many years on the election board in Rio Dell. Lidia volunteered at Rio Dell Elementary and Lafayette Elementary in Eureka, reading to students. She attended 1940 class reunions, looking forward to visiting with classmates. In 2000, Lidia moved to Eureka, to be closer to family. She made her new home at 'The Meadows', making many new friends. She could be found relaxing outside on her bench with a smile ready for a friendly chat. Lidia was preceded in death by her parents, Americo & Armida Martinelli; her brother, Lindy Martinelli; her husband, Julio Rovai; her brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Gino & Evelyn Rovai and Anna & Louie Camponova. She is survived by her daughter and husband, Andrea Rovai & Jeff; daughter, Lorene Luster; granddaughter and husband, Kimberly & Kurt Kramer; great-granddaughters, Kathleen, Laura and Megan Kramer; sister-in-law and husband, Lillian (Dolly) & Ray Christen; numerous nieces, nephews, grand - nieces, grand - nephews and friends. A special thank you to the staff of Granada Health Center for the special care and comfort Lidia received the past two years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lidia's name to the Northern California Multiple Sclerosis Center, 1700 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 or your favorite charity . Please join us for a celebration of Lidia's life on Thursday, July 3 at 11:30am at the Ingomar Club, 143 M Street, Eureka. Lunch will be served.

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