Pina (Ciarlo) CroceDec. 28, 1922 - Nov. 11, 2016Pina Croce died peacefully surrounded by her husband and daughter on November 11th at the age of 93 in Rossmoor, CA. She was born in Oakland, to Assunta Ratto and Domenico Ciarlo, who immigrated to California from Alpicella, Italy. She was one of six children. Pina grew up in the Temescal area of Oakland and attended Emerson, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High and Oakland Technical High schools. She was very active in high school and was the first female to serve as President of her graduating class, June 1941, with full page coverage in the Oakland Tribune. From grammar school through high school she formed some cherished friendships and a special group friendship, which became "The Club", that lasted her entire lifetime. It was in the 7th grade that she met her future husband, Leo Croce. They became engaged when Leo came home from WWII. They married in 1947 and a few years later their daughter, Pamela, was born. They moved to Lafayette in 1955 to raise their little family, and later lived in Livermore for 20 years, where Leo was superintendent of schools. Some years after retirement they moved to Rossmoor to be close to their family. During all those years she was an active volunteer, first at St. Perpetua's Church in Lafayette and then the Cerebral Palsy Center for the East Bay in Oakland. Pina's greatest joy came from her immediate and extended family, often entertaining them with wonderful meals at many family gatherings. She was a fantastic cook who prepared meals that were a feast for the eye and for the palate. Nothing made her happier than to be with her family, enjoying her grandchildren and great grandchildren, at home or in Carmel. Leo and Pina were deeply religious, committed and generous to their church and to educational causes. Pina is survived by her devoted husband of 69 years, Leo Croce, her loving daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and John Goode, her grandchildren, Vanessa (Eric Connett) and Richard Goode, and five wonderful great grandchildren Cade, Claire, Jaxon, Finn and Griffin Connett, her sister-in-law, Natalie Lagorio, and many nieces and nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Pete, Baci, Joe, Maria (17 mos.) and Benedetta Ciarlo. Her family wishes to thank Dr. Ronald Yang and Visiting Angels, including Johnea Glasper and Amdeep Kaur for their loving care. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 11:00 am at Saint Anne's Church, 1600 Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek, Ca. Donations may be made in her memory to the Leo R. Croce Elementary School Scholarship Fund, c/o Croce School, 5650 Scenic Ave, Livermore, Ca 94551.