Mercedes Pialorsi Ford, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, rancher and friend to many, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, in Burbank, California at the age of 94. For the past six years, she resided with her daughter, Dolores in Los Angeles where she enjoyed many of the activities and adventures of living in in a big city.

Mercedes was born in Italy to Antonio and Sylvia Bettezza. When she was two, her family immigrated to the United States and settled on a small ranch in the town of Orick. She was very proud of her life in Orick and spoke of it often. After her marriage to Bruno Pialorsi, she eventually moved to McKinleyville, where for more than fifty years she owned and operated a successful dairy ranch.

Mercedes was predeceased by her second husband Edward Ford; her parents, Antonio and Sylvia Bettezza, daughter Lois Byrns, beloved grandson Gino Pialorsi, sister Mary Viviani and her brother John Bettezza. Mercedes is survived by her daughter Dolores, and son Bruno Jr. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Garth Conner; Richard and Linda Byrns, Angela Pialorsi, great grandchildren: Brent Coonrod, Trent and Ty Stephenson, Dyna and Shelby Naish and her great, great grandchildren Chloe Coonrod and Kinsley Stephenson. She is also survived by her sister Angelina Zanotti of Arcata and by nieces and nephews.

Mercedes’ first love was for her children. She was an exceptional and generous mother who always cared for their well-being above everything. A savvy businesswoman, her second love was her dairy ranch in McKinleyville. An avid gardener, Mercedes also took great pride in her flower and vegetable gardens and loved talking about her organic gardening long before it was fashionable. She missed gardening immensely while living in Los Angeles. She also loved crocheting and took pride in the beautiful afghans that she made for family and friends. They were appreciated and loved by all., She also crocheted lap blankets for Veterans at Christmas, and crocheted about 500 tiny hats each year, which were delivered to hospitals for newborns and “preemie” babies.

Mercedes will be missed for her beautiful smile and her wit and wisdom. She will be especially missed by her two wonderful and caring friends Waffiyah Williams and Carmen Guilliland. She will be missed terribly by her daughter Dolores and grandson Garth, as well as her entire family. We love you so much, Mom.

• Funeral Services: Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka, California
• Visitation: Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 9:00 – 11:00 AM
• Services will be held at Sanders Funeral Home Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 11:00 AM

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The obituary above was submitted by Mercedes Pialorsi Ford’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.