Florence Branco
CHOWCHILLA, CA – Florence Mary (Maddalena) Branco, 86, passed away in Chowchilla April 25, 2017 after a long illness. Florence was born March 24, 1931 at home to Peter and Aurelia Maddalena in Chowchilla. They were proud Swiss Italians. She had three brothers and four sisters.
Florence went to Chowchilla schools and graduated from dental school in San Francisco. She met Dan Branco in 1949 and they married in 1952 just before he was drafted.
Florence is survived by her children: son Steve (Kathy); daughter Dana Jo (fiancé Frank Eastman); son Larry (Jodi); grandson Sam (Vanessa) great granddaughter Kate; grandson Stan (Nikki Calley, sons Ray and Hunter) and grandson Roy (Lenai Mull). Also by all the special ones who affectionately called her Grandma. Her sister Ellen also several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Florence was preceded in death by her husband Dan Branco, her brothers Ernest Maddalena, Pete Maddalena and Richard Maddalena and her sisters Josephine Maddalena, Edith Martens and Jane Ragsdale.
Florence worked as a dental assistant after graduating. After marrying she worked at different jobs in the community while raising her family, working in the Livestock Office during the fair and also in the Red Dog Saloon during the Chowchilla Western Stampede, marking times with Betty Gomes and Lorraine Gomes. Then worked along with Dan in Branco & Sons Store until they sold the business in 2001.
Florence loved her kids and especially her grandkids. As Grandma she was always available for some fun and support. Fun loving, she was very proud of them all.
She was the family cheerleader and chauffeur to the Junior Rodeos and loved to travel to the Senior Rodeos in their living quarters horse trailer, making long lasting friendships all across the country. Florence loved a good joke and being the life of the party.
The praying of the Rosary was held May 1, with a funeral Mass following at St. Columba Catholic Church in Chowchilla. Internment was at a later date. Her family would like to thank Chowchilla Skilled Nursing for the loving care they gave our mother. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Chowchilla Skilled Nursing Facility, 1104 Ventura Ave., Chowchilla, CA 93610.