Marjetta Masserini Obituary (1935 - 2023)

Marjetta Masserini, 88, of Brawley, CA, went home to be with the Lord on November 24, 2023, after a very sudden decline in health. She was born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, on February 9, 1935, to Albert and Cordelia Hensley. She was the oldest of four children: Albert Jr., Lida, and Nancy. At age five, the family moved to Imperial Valley, California, where she resided in Holtville and graduated from High School in 1952. Marjetta met her first husband, John Von Flue, in Holtville and married in 1953. Together they had two daughters, Cheryl and Linda. A few years after their divorce, she married John Masserini of Holtville in 1960. They had two sons, Dario John II "Johvannie," and Gregory. They remained married until John passed away in 2001. Marjetta and John lived in Holtville until 1985, then moved to Brawley. They were often seen tending their yard, gardens, and flowers, especially her roses. The Masserinis were recognized by the City of Brawley with the "Brawley Beautification Award of 1987." Marjetta worked as a telephone operator, then for the Desert Seed Company, and later for several banks including Holtville Bank as Secretary to the president. She worked as a legal secretary for fifteen years, receiving her Associates degree in Social Science and her Legal Assistant Certification in 1978. She proudly held the office of President for the Legal Secretaries Association. She earned a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice at San Diego State University in 1985, followed by a Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law. Her legal experience and degrees supported her volunteerism to individuals, her family, and organizations. Marjetta had a plethora of hobbies, interests, and talents which led her to own a craft and hobby store in Holtville in the early 70's, named Marjetta's "What Not Shop" where people enjoyed her crafty workshops. At home, she enjoyed sewing, flower arranging, and playing the piano for pleasure as well as for the church. Her love for flowers and nature encouraged her to pursue painting. She also loved taking photos of her flowers and family, and extended the hobby to self-developing many of her photos and entering them in the Mid-Winter Fair periodically. Marjetta was an amazing baker and cook. She won the Holtville Carrot Cooking Contest Sweepstakes prize in 1965. The grand prize was a new stove and double oven which were the "seeds" for her newly expanded kitchen. She also became the family's historian where she researched and recorded facts about family members through documents and her writings. Marjetta loved helping people, and especially her church family. She was a good steward, continuously offering her gifts of time and service which included altar care, flowers, baking and cooking, organizing, leading functions, and supporting musical endeavors. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dario John Masserini,Jr., her brother-in-law Larry Hicks, and her brother Albert Hensley Jr. and wife Georgia. Marjetta precedes in death her children Cheryl Von Flue of El Centro, Linda Shumard of El Centro, Dario John II "Johvannie" Masserini (Monica) of Holtville, and Gregory Masserini of Pacific Grove; and her siblings Lida Spencer (Ken) of Paso Robles and Nancy Hicks of El Centro; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marjetta loved being a grandmother leaving behind seven grandchildren: Amy Brinnon (Jimmy), Ivy Armstrong, Somer Wieben (Matt), Diana Lynn (Jason), Glen Shumard, Johvannie Masserini, and Brittney Von Flue; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Services will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Holtville on Friday, December 8, 2023. Visiting/Viewing will be at 9:00 AM and services will be at 10:00 AM. Graveside interment will be at Terrace Park Cemetery in Holtville following church services. In lieu of flowers, donate to Brawley Feed the Need, Pioneers' Museum, or your favorite non-profit agency.