Viola May (Cardoza) Sodini

Viola Sodini ended a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's on April 12, 2023. She passed in peace, surrounded by love.

Viola "Vi" was born September 27, 1935 in San Francisco to Amalia Angelus and Alfred Cardoza, she grew up under the care of her maternal grandparents. Vi attended Mission High School in San Francisco. She married Ron Williams and together they had 3 children: Sherry, Vivian and Mitchell. In 1962, the family moved to Kenwood, CA. Though Vi and Ron went on to marry other people, they remained friends throughout her life.

Vi loved to cook, both in her personal life and in her professional life. Her Christmas Eve dinner was the cornerstone of family holidays. She was the "school lunch lady" for 30 years for the Rincon Valley School District with the majority spent at Sequoia Elementary School.

At Sequoia Elementary, Vi met Adrian Sodini. They married and made their home on the Sodini Ranch in Healdsburg, CA, where she hosted countless get-togethers. Vi and Adrian were married 31 years, until his passing in 2007.

Vi was "Noni" to her grandkids, great-grandkids and their friends, everyone was welcome in her home. She cherished her involvement with the United Ancient Order of Druids of California, a charitable and social organization. She attained the rank of Grand Arch Druidess. Vi also enjoyed golfing and bowling, especially after her retirement. She was a longtime member of Tayman Park Golf Club and bowled weekly in a co-ed senior league. Vi continued to cook and bake for loved ones, making 100's of cookies each holiday season to gift friends and family.

Vi is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Adrian. She is survived by her former husband; Ron Williams (Judy), their children; Sherry Hopson (Jay), Mitchell Williams, Vivian Flowers (Howard), her stepson, Steve Sodini (Tammy) his sons Zach and Max Marshall, her grandchildren; Jayme Paine (Eric), Travis Flowers (Heidi), Mitchell Williams Jr. (Heather), Annie Johann (Scott), Matt Williams (Katie), Lea Bradley (Ethan) and her great-grandchildren; Michaela, Kalea, Jordyn, Ethan, Evelyn, Mikah, Harper, Rj, Riley and Blair.

Her family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Santa Rosa Druidic Scholarship Awards Program in her honor (1545 Pepper Rd., Petaluma CA 94952).

Published in Healdsburg Tribune · April 21, 2023