Passed away peacefully in her home in Sonoma in the early morning of Monday, September 15, 2008. Beloved mother of Edward Paul Albini (Jackie), Owen Donald Albini, and Donna Jean Albini (Scott Pommier); grandmother of Ginger Crosby, Donna Lisa Knowles, Paul Albini, Anita Albini, Eva Bartlett and Danielle Albini; and great-grandmother of six. Ethel was a native of Sonoma, born on Sunday, July 29, 1923 to Enrico and Anita (Chelini) Castagnasso, who preceded her in death. She lived in Sonoma her entire life, attending Sonoma Valley High School until her sophomore year, at which time she quit school to babysit, cook, and clean house to help her family earn money. Although those were tough times, Mom loved to reminisce about swimming in Sonoma creek, roller skating, and dancing with her friends. In 1942 she married and became a homemaker, raising three children. She was a wonderful and loving mother who found time to work alongside her husband, building and remodeling numerous homes in the valley. Mom was a hard and tireless worker all her life. In her middle years Ethel enjoyed oil painting, gardening, cooking, bowling, Bingo, gambling in Reno, and trips with the Golden Age Club. Although she wasn't too happy about flying, she had a wonderful time with the Golden Agers in Hawaii - the trip she enjoyed the most. Mom was president of the Golden Age Club for one term, participated in establishing the Vintage House Senior Center, and also worked as a clerk for several years with the local Weight Watchers group. As she grew older, Ethel continued her interest in cooking and gardening, tending to her garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, swiss chard and Italian green beans. However, her main passion was raising and nurturing her collection of Cymbidium orchids. In between pampering her orchids, she attended weekly Golden Age Club meetings, weekly Bingo games at a local mobile home park, and frequently visited with her friends at the local McDonald's. Having given up driving on her birthday in 2005, Mom became known as "The Bingo Queen" - a nickname fondly given to her by the drivers at Vern's Taxi. Ethel will be greatly missed by all who knew her, and forever cherished in the hearts of those who loved her. Arrangements under the Direction of DUGGAN'S MISSION CHAPEL, Mission Cremation Service, 525 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. .

Published Online in the Press Democrat from Sept. 26 to Sept. 27, 2008
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