Ann Katherine Romani

Ann Romani (Gallichotte) passed away Oct. 12, 2024, a few weeks shy of her 91st birthday, surrounded by her children and extended family.

A resident of the Davis University Retirement Center, she was preceded in death by Roger Romani, her loving husband of 61 years.

Daughter of Mary Gallichotte (Norton) and Marion Gallichotte, and sister to Marion Bosch (Gallichotte), Ann was born in 1933 to a longstanding and multi-generational Sacramento family. Growing up in the Landpark area, she enjoyed dancing, tennis, reading and maintained lifelong relationships with her peers from McClatchy High. 

She graduated from UC Berkely with a degree in History and went on to teach high school English in Elk Grove. 

She met her husband, Roger, in Davis at a Catholic Alumni Event and from there their story began. Roger was a professor and research scientist in Pomology at UC Davis. 

Together, they raised four children and were very active in Historic Preservation; University programs in Literature, Art and Music; as well as civic affairs for the City of Davis. Ann enjoyed the friends she made in Davis and maintained many up to her passing.

Ann and Roger carefully researched and restored the 1887 Victorian H.M. LaRue Home on Russell Blvd, with Roger recreating lost bay windows and porches while Ann handcrafted beautiful window coverings and other items appropriate to the house. Due to their efforts, the house was saved from its slated demise and has now been designated with historical status.

Deeply dedicated to education, Ann would often edit her husband’s scientific papers for publication. In addition, while her children were in the Davis schools, Ann was very involved from day one as a parent volunteer. In 1981 she ran for and won a seat as a trustee of the Davis School Board, a position she held until 1985. 

Ann and Roger enjoyed travel and spent extended time in France, in Italy, visiting Roger’s family, and Japan. She and Roger enjoyed their retirement years growing wine grapes in the Anderson Valley and being involved with friends and activities there.

Most important to both Ann and Roger were their children, as their families grew they enjoyed hearing about their children’s lives and spending time with their five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Ann is survived by her children Rebecca, Roger (Debbie), Marcus (Annette) and Juliana (Jim), five grandchildren (Kara, Roger, Clara, Justin, and Alicia) and two step-grandchildren (Logan and Luke).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 1st at St James Catholic Church 1275 B Street, in Davis.