Mary Julia Micheli Rovai
Mom Mary Nonna

Just as she lived her life, Mary Julia Micheli Rovai gently and peacefully left us Sept. 14, 2024. Born August 16, 1929, she was the youngest of the five children of Angelo and Beppina Antongiovanni Micheli originally from Lucca, Italy. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers: Orlando, Elio, Dentio and Duilio Micheli and spouses as well as her husband, Louie Rovai and - most difficult for any parent - her daughter, Paula Mary Rovai Miller, and son, Louis Rovai Jr.

Mary Micheli attended and graduated from Rio Dell Elementary (1943) and Fortuna Union High School (1947). Then, as fate would have it, Mom met her husband-to-be when she went to work at the Hiway 101 Grocery Store originally owned and operated by Dad’s parents, Domenico & Angelina Malfatti Rovai. Dad proposed to her while on a July 4th airplane ride over Humboldt County. He would later chuckle and say, “She had to say ‘yes’ or I would’ve had to jump!”. They married at St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Scotia) on November 30, 1947.

Living in the vibrant Wildwood (aka Little Italy) area of Rio Dell, they were surrounded by family and friends and the many thriving businesses, restaurants, bars, gas stations and community events active at the time. Mom supported Dad in the business endeavors he co-owned and operated with his older brother, Julio (L&J’s 101 Club and the Rio Dell Water Works) and his final employment as a letter carrier for the Rio Dell Post Office after the water company was sold to the newly incorporated city of Rio Dell. Their family grew to include four children. Linda Angela, Rita Louise, Paula Mary and Louis Rovai Jr. enjoyed a fun and loving childhood full of music, traveling, riding bikes, picnics in the Redwoods, picking blackberries, BBQs and camping with family and friends as well as those early morning Red Cross swimming lessons in the Eel River - Brrr!

Known for her good cooking - Italian style, of course! - Mom was the heart and soul of the family. With a glass of vino in hand, she could be counted on to pull together a delicious meal using fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden including some of the 100 cloves of garlic always planted shortly after the full moon. Nourishing family & friends was her way of sharing love. Nonna enjoyed teaching her grandkids how to make ravs and around the Holidays her home bustled with activity as the great grandkids got in on the action making Torta, Biscotti and Fritelle - traditional foods brought over from Italy. Mom and Dad kept busy supporting their children’s various sports, music and academic endeavors. Following their son’s many college football games and playing in Bridge Tournaments through the Eureka Bridge Club afforded many traveling opportunities. The highlight of several trips to Europe was spending time with relatives in the beautiful Tuscan countryside of Capannori, Lucca, Italy. Yes, indeed, they spent time under the Tuscan sun.

Mary had a quiet, graceful presence about herself and was athletically inclined as well. She and Dad were members of the bowling league at Mingo’s; the Redwood Empire Golf Club; the Dance Club held up on Monument Rd (their song: Perez Prado’s ‘Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White’); and participated in the Annual Firemen’s Labor Day Picnic where Mom was the reigning Rolling Pin Throwing Champ. She was still exercising at age 92 - over zoom during the Covid years - with her Senior Exercise Group. She was a founding member of the RDVFD Auxiliary and a member of several card groups including the Sequoia Club. For the past 20 years she looked forward to the weekly companionship of the Hand & Foot card group which included her longtime friends: Arminda Antongiovanni, Lenora Marks, Bette Woodson, Nancy Hayes, Melissa Marks along with Linda Marks and and her sister, Sara Simonson.

Mary is survived by her children: Linda Rovai and Godson Anthony (Kellan) Hickman and children: Gavin & Gianna; Rita (Stan) Johnson and children: Angela Johnson DeMatos and children: Lourenco & Sánta; Amy (Ven) Letter and children: Madisyn, Kobe & Matthew; Kelsey Johnson Van Dissel and son, Kees; son-in-law Kim Miller and children: Amber (Ben) Brown and Theo; Sky (Katee Jones Foxx) Miller and children: Corinne ‘Coco’ Jones and Poppy Miller Foxx. She is also survived by many Micheli, Conner, Antongiovanni, Ambrosini, Dobrec, Swanson, Morgan, Rovai and Malfatti family members as well as the lifetime friendship of the Woodson, Hayes, Ghilarducci, Francesconi, Kurtz, Miller and Hoffman families.

Family and friends are invited to attend Mary’s graveside servIces at St Bernard’s Cemetery on Saturday, September 28 at 2:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial at the Rio Dell Fire Hall. Please bring photos or memories to share.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Hospice of Humboldt or Visiting Angels both of which provided comforting care and support for our Mom or to a charity of your choosing. Also consider honoring Mary by cooking and enjoying a nourishing meal for yourself, your family and friends-if you do, don’t forget to include that glass of vino! Mom, Mary, Nonna - your kind, sweet Spirit will be missed.