Crocifissa Balestreri

Crocifissa "Nana" Balestreri passed away at her home in Monterey on Monday, July 10th, surrounded by her family. She was 92 years of age. Crocifissa was born on March 15, 1925 in Trappeto, Sicily. She married Mario Balestreri of San Francisco in 1950 in Trappeto and soon after moved to Monterey, California to start a life together. Within a few years, her parents and 6 siblings followed her to California, where they still reside today. Crocifissa's most treasured moments were taking care of and helping raise all members of her family, especially her grandchildren. "Nana" was just like a second mother to all, especially her siblings and grandchildren, always making sure they had what they needed, and of course, had enough to eat. No matter the time of day, Nana always had numerous Sicilian dishes cooking at once so they were ready to eat for whoever stopped by that day. Her famous dishes were smelt by all in the neighborhood and she would always open her door to her neighbors from the block to come and enjoy them. Crocifissa loved to sew clothes, embroider linens and crochet blankets in her free time. She also worked at the canneries and French Laundry for years, but ultimately loved being a home maker. Wherever she went, she loved to walk, whether it was to the grocery store, going to church, getting her hair done, or take her grandchildren to school and practices. She loved going for drives along the coast with her family almost every evening, often stopping for ice cream in Pacific Grove. Crocifissa quickly fell in love with her four legged companion, Holly, who never left her side since the day they met. Her Catholic religion and faith was very important to her, and she cherished her closeness with God. Crocifissa is survived by her youngest son, Phillip Balestreri. She leaves behind her 8 grandchildren, Mario, John, Daniel, Christina, Michelle, Stephanie, Phillip, and Morgan, her 6 siblings, Vincenza, Rose, Salvator, Rosalia, Joanna, and Joseph, and her many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fillipo and Grazia Vitale, her husband, Mario Balestreri, her eldest son, Mario Balestreri II and her daughter, Sarah Flores. Crocifissa's family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregivers, Ana, Alejandra, Soledad, Kelly, Ibana, Beverly, Martha and Juana, for their endless love, kindness, and patience they shed upon her over the past year. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 18th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Mission Mortuary, with Rosary at 7:00pm. Funeral services and Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 19th at 9:30am at San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey, followed by burial at San Carlos Cemetery. A reception will follow, location to be announced after the service.