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Emily Louise Cippa

May 17, 1915 — November 2, 2024

Sacramento

Emily Louise Cippa

Emily Louise Cippa (Em) passed peacefully into the Love and Light surrounded by loved ones in her home on November 2, 2024. Em was born to Gottardo and Maria Barsetti on their dairy farm in Herald, California on May 17, 1915. Em worked on the ranch milking cows, tending the chickens, driving the tractor while helping her father with various other chores. 

Em is predeceased by her parents, Gottardo and Maria Barsetti, her husband, William T. Cippa (Bill), her sister, Lillian A. Jenks (Dit), Fred Jenks, her brother, Henry Barsetti (Delia) and her grandson, Kenji Fukushima. Em is survived by her daughter, Rochelle Cippa, sons, Billy Cippa and Stephen Cippa (Susan), daughters, Sharman Cippa (Richard), Nanette Fukushima (Don) and her nephew, Bart Jenks (Helen) who was like a son to his Aunty Em. Em is also survived by her grandchildren, Kristine Cippa, Katie Chandler (Todd), Christopher Antaki (Larissa), Rose Antaki, Lauren Fukushima and Peter Fukushima. Em was G.G. (Great Grandmother) to Walter Chandler and Birdie Lee Chandler. Em was aunt to her special nieces, Carol Perrin (Bryan), Helen Jenks (Bart) and Karen Marie MacGarry along with many other nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces. 

Em attended Elliott School, a one room schoolhouse in Galt, California, Galt High School, Heald's Business College, graduating as a legal secretary and Sacramento City College, receiving an Associate of Arts degree. At Sacramento City College, Em became especially fascinated in the humanities which led to a month long, solo trip to Switzerland and Italy. Em became deeply connected to her cousins in Switzerland where she fulfilled a lifelong dream to walk in her parents' footsteps in Madrone and Valle and to visit the home where her father was born. Em visited Rome, Florence and Venice where she was thrilled to see much of the art which she had studied.

In 1942, during WWII, Em enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Among the very first women to serve in the Navy, Em was stationed in San Francisco where she served as a legal secretary. After Em's discharge from the Navy, she stayed in San Francisco working for the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. 

In 1948, while visiting her family in Sacramento, Em met her future husband, Bill Cippa. They were married on November 25, 1948 at Immaculate Conception Church and went on to raise their five children in Sacramento. From 1963 to 1972 Em worked for the Sacramento Court Reporters transcribing depositions. Following her husband, Bill's, death, Em opened a children's daycare in her home. She thoroughly enjoyed caring for the children and working with their parents, many of whom became her lifelong friends. 

Em was happiest when gathered with her family. She loved teaching Bridge to her family and played regularly with her many wonderful friends until she was 108 years old. She was an ardent sports fan who followed the Warriors, Giants and 49ers, often flipping between channels and never missing a beat. Em loved flowers and working in her garden of many colors, was an avid reader, jogged at 70 years old, enjoyed being with her cats, watching her tropical fish and was always up for an Irish coffee.

For their loving kindness and care of our precious Mom, our family wishes to thank all of Em's caregivers, especially Lute Finau and Salome Tonga, as well as Amari Care.

A private Mass and Christian burial were celebrated for Em on December 5th.

In lieu of flowers, Em requested donations to The Northern California Special Olympics in memory of Robert Cippa, the Disabled Veterans, the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

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