Adriana Pierina Pedrioli
September 26, 1929—December 4, 2022
Adriana Pierina Pedrioli died peacefully in her sleep at her care home in Modesto, California. Born in Gorduno, Switzerland, she came to the United States in 1938 with her mother Maria Elisa and older brother Roberto. They joined Adriana’s father Carlo, who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1930 to operate the dairy on a family-owned ranch.
For her education, Adriana attended Cole School, graduating in 1944; Modesto High School, graduating in 1948; Modesto Junior College, graduating in 1950; and San Jose State College, majoring in fine arts and graduating in 1952. She put her education to effective use locally as an art teacher, working at Ceres Union High School from 1952 to 1962 and then at Downey High School from 1962 until her retirement in 1985.
During Adriana’s years at Downey High School, her classroom was affectionately known as “Studio 78.” In this safe environment, and beyond her regular teaching duties, Adriana made herself available to tutor and mentor all students who sought her guidance.
After officially retiring, Adriana continued to work for many years. She took care of her parents until their deaths and later assisted with caring for her brother-in-law Christopher until his death.
Adriana demonstrated her love for her family in other ways as well, including through her efforts in the kitchen. Drawing on her family’s Swiss heritage, she prepared innumerable family meals for New Year, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other favorite holidays. The meals took place at her parents’ ranch outside Modesto, in their retirement home in Riverbank, later at Adriana’s own home in Modesto, and also at other relatives’ homes. When her nieces and nephews were older and home from being away at school, she often sent them back to study with her homemade chocolate chip and other mouth-watering cookies.
In addition to using her talents in the kitchen, Adriana loved gardening. She worked in her parents’ gardens and then in the garden at her home, spending countless hours taking care of the plants and beautifying the properties. She continued this rewarding activity until well into her eighties.
Surviving Adriana are her siblings Charles, Carmen, and Patricia, as well as her nieces and nephews. Her parents Carlo and Maria Elisa and her brothers Roberto and John predeceased her.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Modesto, at 9:30 AM on January 24, 2023. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Crescent City, California, near Harbor, Oregon, where Adriana’s farther began working in his new country and where her uncles and great uncles had been successful in ranching after arriving from Switzerland. Adriana delighted in spending summers with her uncles at their ranch, which is now the Chetco Valley Museum. In lieu of flowers, any gifts may be made to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.