Josephine ‘Noni’ Rombi, 91

Posted: Friday, September 26, 2014 8:00 pm

Josephine ‘Noni’ Rombi, 91

On Sept. 23, 2014, 17 days after celebrating her 91st birthday, Josephine Rombi gave final “love yous.” She passed peacefully with her only daughter, son-in-law and grandsons at her bedside, with songs and the sound of music playing softly in a room filled with memories, photos, laughter and tears, her nurses and caregivers.

In 1920, her parents left Cuneo, Italy, for a new life in America. She was born on Sept. 7, 1923, in Fresno, Calif., the oldest of three; along with her brother Frank Bottero and sister Doris, forever married to Lorence Matthews, who all still live in California. She often shared memories of a life in the family bakery, camping at Clear Lake and the family cabin in Carmel Valley. Later, trips included outings on their boat named for her and her daughter, “Vicky Jo.”

After spending many summers in Montana, she chose river beaches over ocean beaches to always be near her grandchildren, which were her most treasured times. This is when she would tell of all the adventures she had throughout her life. Because of her strong convictions and deep faith, she was and will remain a source of strength and inspiration to all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Vickie, and her husband of 45 years, Rick; her precious grandchildren, Alex, Chad and his wife Tara and son Kobe, Jessie and his wife Rachel, Caleb and his wife Annie, and Ben and his wife Trista.

“She will forever be looking over shining stars” (her great-grandchildren), Marissa, Macee, Kale, Nash, Myles, Jada, and a newborn due in December.

Noni’s goodbyes always included “Don’t work too hard. Take it easy. Lots of love.”

She filled rooms with laughter and joy. She softened life’s bruises with a hug and a kiss. And now she would say to you, “All my love, Noni.”

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls. Please join us afterward to share memories and celebrate her life.