/Cupertino

Anna (Ricca) Zappelli Born New Year's Eve, 31 December 1913 in southern Arizona, reared at Monte Bello Ridge near Monta Vista, Cupertino, California and long time resident of Willow Glen in San Jose, CA. She passed away on May Day, Friday 01 May 2009. It was after World War II that Frank and Anna Zappelli started Zappelli Meat Company in San Jose, CA, which later incorporated as Annricca Inc. Anna was previously a certified dental nurse at the time she met her husband, Frank Zappelli. When Frank returned from service as an army cook, she worked industriously along with him and they built a successful business from producing, packing and distributing primal cuts of meat, Italian style sausages, salami, and other meat and food products. Throughout the region, they were known for their own family brand name, as well as others popular brands like "Galileo." Anna's family life and heritage was founded in ranching, agriculture, food production and hospitality. Her parents worked on cattle and agriculture ranches in Arizona, New Mexico and California. They later settled nearby Monta Vista (Cupertino, CA), where her family lived on the Cappa Ranch and where her father tended the grape vineyard at historic Monta Bello Ridge. Anna's life and heritage was influenced by her parent family's origin in the Piedmont region of northern Italy; as well as that of her husband Frank's family which is from the region of Tuscany, Italy. Those traditions lived on locally in Santa Clara valley. Frank's family began locally while making pasta at the San Jose Paste Co., as well as that they were thereafter part owners of the Central Grocery Co. at Market and San Carlos in San Jose. The Zappelli and Ricca family came together when Anna and Frank married, and Anna's cousin Clara Cappa-Buffo, whose family owned San Jose's historic Fallon House, served as her maid of honor. Nearby the Fallon House, the Zappelli's were nearby at The Paste Co. and Central Grocery stores in the old downtown San Jose. The Fallon House was an Italian hotel, whereas the wedding reception was held across the street at the legendary Fior d' Italia restaurant. In her time, Anna enjoyed community service with her husband, particularly at Bellarmine College Preparatory, Santa Clara University, Lion's Club, the various clubs within the Italian-American community and other community associations. In her final years of retirement she often told incredible stories about local and family heritage; as well as that she was often recognized by her neighbors for her ardent work in the garden, along side with her small dog. She loved being outdoors in the sun and talking with friends walking by on the way to the park. Anna endured her husband Frank (deceased 1983) and has living family, including sons Richard and Albert Zappelli. Anna has several grandchildren: Andrew, David, Jeffrey, Stephen, Anne and Julie. She recently became a great-grandmother. Anna endured her brother, Joseph Ricca. Through the years, she also maintained contact with extended family members in Italy. Services for Anna's memory will be held at Saint Claire's Chapel on the grounds of the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. Services are to begin at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday 6 May. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the scholarship fund of Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. LIMA-CAMPAGNA-ALAMEDA MISSION CHAPEL, serving the family. Ph: 288-9188.