Angie Mattucci’s face lights up when she talks about her days as a girl living in Tuscany, Italy. She remembers the beauty of the country and how she misses hearing her native language. Even on her 100th birthday, she is eager to share these memories surrounded by the friends who threw her a party on Sunday, June 10. Her actual birthday was Thursday, June 14.

“They are all part of my family,” says Barbra Garrison surveying the room full of guests in the Valley Village clubhouse in RP. Garrison, along with Eleanor Stanley, Carol Smyth, Elaine Brown and Pearl Williams arranged the event, while Sandy Bernardoni and Barbara Spataro provided the ingredients for a delicious spaghetti luncheon.

Tuscany is known for its breathtaking landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and influence on high culture. It is generally regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and has been home to influential people such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Amerigo Vespucci, Dante and Puccini.

Born in San Bruno, Mattucci’s family moved back to Italy when she was just six months old, and it was not until she was 18 that they would return to the Bay Area. Her mother died at the age of 45 and her father did not wish her to work. Her primary job was raising three sons – Michael, Gino and Paul – who still live in the North Bay. “They treat me well,” she says with a smile.

She has always loved to cook, namely from scratch and with all natural ingredients. From homemade spaghetti sauce to soup, she emphasizes that it is always important to stay away from anything processed or canned in order to create the best-tasting and healthy meals.

Mattucci has made her home in the “same building across this street since 1981,” she says, pointing out the door of the complex’s clubhouse. “Rohnert Park is truly a beautiful city to live in.”

She is thankful for the friends she has made here, and takes pride in being an honorary member of the Fun After 50 Club at the Senior Center. Every week, she looks forward to playing Bingo and modestly adds that she is very good.
“It’s my one recreational activity. I win every once in a while.”

Mattucci is the picture of contentment as she sits back merely enjoying the kindness of her friends and listening to the traditional Italian music playing in the background.

“I enjoy life, and to see people happy – that is my pleasure.”